A frequent misinterpretation of this verse is to claim tongues are exclusively for evangelizing unbelievers and should not be practiced in church gatherings, which contradicts Paul's instructions in the surrounding context to use interpreted tongues for edifying believers; another error is using it to argue that tongues ceased after the apostolic era since modern churches lack unbelievers needing signs, ignoring the verse's illustrative purpose from Scripture and Paul's call for all gifts to operate orderly for the common good regardless of audience.
I Corinthians 14:22
King James Version (1769)
22 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.
In 1 Corinthians 14:22, Paul distinguishes the purposes of spiritual gifts in the church: tongues function as a sign for unbelievers, fulfilling Old Testament prophecies like Isaiah 28:11-12 where foreign languages signaled God's judgment on those rejecting His message in familiar speech, whereas prophecy edifies believers by conveying God's word in an intelligible manner, promoting understanding and spiritual growth within the assembly.