1 Corinthians 14:23 - Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible

Bible Comments

If therefore the whole church be come together into one place, and all speak with tongues, and there come in those that are unlearned, or unbelievers, will they not say that ye are mad?

Whole ... all ... tongues. The more there are assembled, and that speak in unknown tongues, the more will the impression be conveyed to strangers 'coming in' from curiosity ("unbelievers," whether knowing a foreign tongue or not), or even from a better motive ("unlearned," ignorant of foreign tongues), that the whole body is a mob of fanatical 'madmen,' and that 'the Church is like the company of Babel builders after the confusion of tongues.'

Unlearned - having some faith, but not gifts.

1 Corinthians 14:23

23 If therefore the whole church be come together into one place, and all speak with tongues, and there come in those that are unlearned, or unbelievers, will they not say that ye are mad?