What does Paul mean by being children in malice but mature in understanding?

Paul tells the believers not to stay childish in how they think about spiritual things. They were impressed by flashy gifts like tongues, which showed more pride than wisdom. He wants them to grow up in their understanding of God and how church should work. At the same time, he says they should stay like children in malice, meaning innocent of evil, not plotting harm or acting from jealousy. So he calls them to combine a clean, simple heart with a wise, thoughtful mind in how they follow Christ.

Why does Paul say tongues are a sign for unbelievers but prophecy for believers?

Paul explains that tongues serve as a sign to unbelievers, pointing to God’s action and also, in some cases, to judgment when people refuse to listen. But in the regular church gathering, tongues without interpretation do not help anyone understand. Prophecy, on the other hand, is spoken in a language people know, so it builds up believers and can deeply convict unbelievers who visit. When they hear their own hearts exposed, they may fall down, worship God, and say that God is truly among His people.

Why would unbelievers think Christians are mad if everyone speaks in tongues?

Paul says that if the whole church meets and everyone speaks in tongues, and someone who is new or does not believe comes in, they will think the group is out of their minds. From their view, lots of people speaking languages they do not understand looks like confusion, not worship. This shows why clarity matters in church. If, instead, people hear clear messages from God that uncover their hearts, they are more likely to be convicted, to see God’s presence, and to respond in worship rather than walking away confused.

What rules does Paul give for using tongues and prophecy in church meetings?

Paul says that in a meeting, only two or at most three people should speak in tongues, one after another, and someone must interpret so others can understand. If there is no interpreter, the person with tongues should stay quiet in the gathering and speak quietly to God. For prophecy, also two or three should speak while others weigh what is said. They are to speak one by one so that everyone can learn and be comforted. The key test for every contribution is whether it builds up the church and keeps order.

What does it mean that the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets?

This phrase means that people who speak prophetically are still responsible for how and when they speak. They are not carried away in such a way that they cannot control themselves. Paul is correcting the idea that spiritual experiences excuse disorderly behavior. Instead, he says those who truly speak from God can wait their turn, be quiet when needed, and speak in a way that fits the gathering. This fits his larger point that God is not a God of confusion but of peace, so worship should reflect self-control and order.

What does Paul mean when he says God is not the author of confusion but of peace?

Paul is explaining why church meetings must be orderly. When everyone talks at once, or speaks in languages no one understands, the result is confusion, not learning. He reminds them that this does not match God’s character. God brings peace, clarity, and good order, not chaos. So the way believers use spiritual gifts should show God’s nature. This is why he keeps stressing that everything in the gathering must be done to build others up, in a proper and peaceful way, just as in other churches.

Why are women told to keep silent in the churches in this passage?

In this passage, Paul tells women to be silent in the churches and to ask questions at home. This has been read in more than one way, but in context he is dealing with disorder in the meetings. Many understand this as dealing with disruptive speaking or questioning that added to the confusion. His main aim in the whole section is that worship should be decent and in order, not chaotic. Whatever the exact situation, the focus stays on respect, peace, and a way of meeting where all can hear and be built up.

How does Paul show his authority when giving these instructions?

Paul does not present these instructions as just his own ideas. He says that if anyone thinks he is a prophet or spiritual, he must recognize that what Paul writes are the Lord’s commands. In other words, real spiritual people will agree with these guidelines because they come from God, not from human preference. He also warns that if someone chooses to stay ignorant of this, they will simply remain ignorant. This underlines that order in worship and the right use of gifts are matters of obedience to the Lord.

What does it mean to let all things be done decently and in order?

At the end of the passage, Paul sums up everything with this line. He is not against spiritual gifts or lively meetings. He even says to desire prophecy and not to forbid tongues. But he insists that everything in church should be done in a fitting, respectful way and in good order. That means thinking about others, not just ourselves, and making sure what we do helps people understand and grow. This simple rule can guide how churches plan services, share gifts, and handle speaking in the gathering today.

1Cor.14.20

1 Corinthians 14:20

KJV

Brethren, be not children in understanding: howbeit in malice be ye children, but in understanding be men.

Prophecy and Tongues

Follow after charity, and desire spiritual gifts, but rather that ye may prophesy.

For he that speaketh in an unknown tongue speaketh not unto men, but unto God: for no man understandeth him; howbeit in the spirit he speaketh mysteries.

But he that prophesieth speaketh unto men to edification, and exhortation, and comfort.

He that speaketh in an unknown tongue edifieth himself; but he that prophesieth edifieth the church.

I would that ye all spake with tongues, but rather that ye prophesied: for greater is he that prophesieth than he that speaketh with tongues, except he interpret, that the church may receive edifying.

Now, brethren, if I come unto you speaking with tongues, what shall I profit you, except I shall speak to you either by revelation, or by knowledge, or by prophesying, or by doctrine?

And even things without life giving sound, whether pipe or harp, except they give a distinction in the sounds, how shall it be known what is piped or harped?

For if the trumpet give an uncertain sound, who shall prepare himself to the battle?

So likewise ye, except ye utter by the tongue words easy to be understood, how shall it be known what is spoken? for ye shall speak into the air.

There are, it may be, so many kinds of voices in the world, and none of them is without signification.

Therefore if I know not the meaning of the voice, I shall be unto him that speaketh a barbarian, and he that speaketh shall be a barbarian unto me.

Even so ye, forasmuch as ye are zealous of spiritual gifts, seek that ye may excel to the edifying of the church.

Wherefore let him that speaketh in an unknown tongue pray that he may interpret.

For if I pray in an unknown tongue, my spirit prayeth, but my understanding is unfruitful.

What is it then? I will pray with the Spirit, and I will pray with the understanding also: I will sing with the Spirit, and I will sing with the understanding also.

Else when thou shalt bless with the spirit, how shall he that occupieth the room of the unlearned say Amen at thy giving of thanks, seeing he understandeth not what thou sayest?

For thou verily givest thanks well, but the other is not edified.

I thank my God, I speak with tongues more than ye all:

Yet in the church I had rather speak five words with my understanding, that by my voice I might teach others also, than ten thousand words in an unknown tongue.

Brethren, be not children in understanding: howbeit in malice be ye children, but in understanding be men.

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.

Wherefore tongues are for a sign, not to them that believe, but to them that believe not: but prophesying serveth not for them that believe not, but for them which believe.

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?

But if all prophesy, and there come in one that believeth not, or one unlearned, he is convinced of all, he is judged of all:

And thus are the secrets of his heart made manifest; and so falling down on his face he will worship God, and report that God is in you of a truth.

How is it then, brethren? when ye come together, every one of you hath a psalm, hath a doctrine, hath a tongue, hath a revelation, hath an interpretation. Let all things be done unto edifying.

If any man speak in an unknown tongue, let it be by two, or at the most by three, and that by course; and let one interpret.

But if there be no interpreter, let him keep silence in the church; and let him speak to himself, and to God.

Let the prophets speak two or three, and let the other judge.

If any thing be revealed to another that sitteth by, let the first hold his peace.

For ye may all prophesy one by one, that all may learn, and all may be comforted.

And the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets.

For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints.

Let your women keep silence in the churches: for it is not permitted unto them to speak; but they are commanded to be under obedience, as also saith the law.

And if they will learn any thing, let them ask their husbands at home: for it is a shame for women to speak in the church.

What? came the word of God out from you? or came it unto you only?

If any man think himself to be a prophet, or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things that I write unto you are the commandments of the Lord.

But if any man be ignorant, let him be ignorant.

Wherefore, brethren, covet to prophesy, and forbid not to speak with tongues.

Let all things be done decently and in order.

Cross References

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