Why is the gift of tongues a sign for unbelievers and prophecy a sign for believers?

1 Cor. 14:22: "Tongues, then, are a sign, not for believers but for unbelievers; prophecy, however, is not for unbelievers but for believers."

I don't understand why tongues would be a sign for unbelievers when they can't understand what's being said, and might even think people speaking in tongues are just out of their minds. It seems to me that an unbeliever would be MORE persuaded to believe in God if someone had a prophetic word for him/her that came to pass, or "read their mail," so to speak. 

1 Corinthians 14:22

NLT - ²² So you see that speaking in tongues is a sign, not for believers, but for unbelievers. Prophecy, however, is for the benefit of believers, not unbelievers.

Clarify • Share • Report • Asked October 20 2025 • Anonymous