Paul now describes a different situation: that of all the church members prophesying. Although he is describing a hypothetical situation, there is a sense in which, even today, everyone who takes part in the worship service can be said to prophesy.
When the proclamation of God’s Word is heard and responded to with Amen
(1 Corinthians 14:16), and when God is praised in prayer and song, then the church is proclaiming the gospel together (see further Psalm 100:1–5).
The two verbs convicted
and called to account
are taken from the judicial sphere. When, through the prophesying of church members, an unbeliever hears God’s Word, he can be convicted of its truth and called to account for the sins in his own life. These are things that unintelligible speech cannot accomplish.
24 Mais si tous prophétisent, et qu'il entre un non-croyant ou un simple auditeur, il est convaincu par tous, il est jugé par tous,