Note 1 at 1 Cor. 14:23: Tongues benefited the church only if they were interpreted (see note 12 at v. 5, p. 944). Even though they benefited the individual user (see note 4 at v. 2, p. 943), the goal of the church service was to be edification for all (see note 16 at v. 12, p. 945). It seems that some of the Corinthians lacked understanding of this principle. Therefore, Paul was writing, not to discourage spiritual gifts, but rather to instruct that their goal in the church was to be the edification of others (see note 1 at v. 1, p. 943).

Note 2 at 1 Cor. 14:23: Paul is stating that if all are speaking in unknown tongues in the church service and some come in who are either unlearned or unbelievers, they will conclude that these people are insane and suffer from a disorder of their mind.

The Greek word for "unlearned" in this passage is "idiotes," from which we derived the English word "idiot." It is simply denoting someone who is ignorant of this gift of speaking in tongues and is translated "ignorant" in Acts 4:13.

Note 3 at 1 Cor. 14:23: The Greek word that was translated "unbelievers" here is "apistos." This is a compound word consisting of "pistos," the adjective form of "pistis," meaning "faith," and "a," meaning "negative, or against." Therefore, this is describing someone who is against speaking in tongues or doesn't believe in it.