This verse begins as a contrast with verse 23, but is expanded for emphasis toward the end, and the expansion continues in verse 25. These two verses complete the contrast between speaking with tongues and prophecy, which has been announced in verse 22.

The words unbeliever or outsider are used in the opposite order from verse 23 probably for reasons of style. For the meaning of these two words, see the comments on verse 23.

The word translated convicted commonly refers to moral influence on someone’s conscience, rather than to persuasion by argument, as Good News Bible shows by adding “of his sin.” There is little difference in meaning between convicted and called to account. Good News Bible uses the words “convinced” and “judged.” Good News Bible adds “he hears” to make clear what is implicit: the unbeliever or outsider will be listening to the proclaiming of God’s message. What “he hears” will convict or judge him.

The clause he is called to account by all may also be rendered as “all the things that he hears will judge him.” Good News Bible‘s “by what they hear” and “by all they hear” translate the same Greek expression rendered by all twice in Revised Standard Version.

On Good News Bible‘s use of plural forms in this verse, see the introduction to this section. Good News Bible‘s “some” may be unnecessary if plural forms are used.

Quoted with permission from Ellingworth, Paul and Hatton, Howard A. A Handbook on Paul’s First Letter to the Corinthians, 2nd edition. (UBS Handbook Series). New York: UBS, 1985/1994. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .