1 Corinthians 14:21

In the law it is written, With men of other tongues and other lips will I speak unto this people; and yet for all that will they not hear me, saith the Lord.

1 Corinthians 14:21 (KJV)

Context

Paul writes to correct disorder in Corinthian worship, where speaking in tongues had become a source of confusion rather than edification. In this chapter he explains that spiritual gifts must build up the whole assembly. His quotation, introduced with “In the law it is written,” comes from Isaiah 28:11-12, where the Lord warned Israel that because they refused to hear His clear message through the prophets, He would speak to them through the foreign lips of the Assyrians. The word “law” here follows common Jewish usage and includes the entire Old Testament, not only the five books of Moses.

Meaning

Paul adapts Isaiah’s wording to make a pointed application. God had spoken to Israel in a language they could not understand, and still they would not hear. The same principle applied at Corinth: tongues spoken without interpretation could not instruct the church. As Paul says in verse 19, he would rather speak five words with understanding than ten thousand words in an unknown tongue. The quotation therefore warns that uninterpreted tongues may become a sign of judgment rather than a means of grace.

This does not mean tongues are worthless. In verse 22 Paul explains that tongues are a sign for unbelievers, while prophecy is for believers. Yet even a sign fails when it is not understood. The foreign speech of Isaiah’s day demonstrated that God was speaking, but it also exposed the people’s hardened hearts. In the same way, a tongue spoken in the assembly without interpretation can draw attention to God’s work, but it cannot build up the congregation unless someone explains its meaning.

Biblical connections

The quotation also points to God’s desire that all people hear Him. Even when He used “other tongues and other lips,” some still refused to listen. This underscores the need for a receptive heart, whatever the means by which God’s message comes. Paul’s larger argument in 1 Corinthians 14:23-25 shows that intelligible prophecy is more valuable because it convicts unbelievers and reveals the secrets of their hearts, leading them to worship God.

Application

Believers today should prioritize clear communication, interpretation, and mutual edification. Whether a word is spoken in a known language or a spiritual one, it must be understandable and beneficial to others. The goal of every spiritual gift is the building up of the body of Christ, not personal display. Christians are called to ensure that their words help others grow in faith and unity.

Reflection

This verse invites each believer to examine the heart. God speaks in many ways, but a closed heart will not hear Him. The same message that softens one person may harden another. The church is therefore called to speak plainly, to interpret what is unclear, and to receive God’s word with humility, so that His voice is not lost in unfamiliar sounds.