1 Corinthians 14:11 kjv
Therefore if I know not the meaning of the voice, I shall be unto him that speaketh a barbarian, and he that speaketh shall be a barbarian unto me.
1 Corinthians 14:11 nkjv
Therefore, if I do not know the meaning of the language, I shall be a foreigner to him who speaks, and he who speaks will be a foreigner to me.
1 Corinthians 14:11 niv
If then I do not grasp the meaning of what someone is saying, I am a foreigner to the speaker, and the speaker is a foreigner to me.
1 Corinthians 14:11 esv
but if I do not know the meaning of the language, I will be a foreigner to the speaker and the speaker a foreigner to me.
1 Corinthians 14:11 nlt
But if I don't understand a language, I will be a foreigner to someone who speaks it, and the one who speaks it will be a foreigner to me.
1 Corinthians 14 11 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Cor 14:2 | For anyone speaking in a tongue does not speak to people but to God, since nobody understands them; they speak mysteries in the Spirit. | To understand the nature of tongues |
| 1 Cor 14:4 | Anyone who speaks in a tongue edifies themselves, but anyone who prophesies edifies the church. | Contrasting personal vs. corporate edification |
| 1 Cor 14:5 | I would like every one of you to speak in tongues, but I would rather have you prophesy. The one who prophesies is greater than the one who speaks in tongues, unless someone interprets, so that the church may be edified. | Emphasizing the purpose of prophecy and interpreted tongues |
| 1 Cor 14:9 | So it is with you; if you speak in a tongue that means nothing to those who hear you, how will anyone know what you are saying? You will be speaking into the air. | Illustrating the futility of unintelligible speech |
| 1 Cor 14:10 | There are, for instance, any kinds of languages in the world, and none of them is without meaning. | Acknowledging diverse languages |
| 1 Cor 14:12 | So with yourselves; since you are eager for manifestations of the Spirit, strive to excel in building up the church. | The goal of spiritual gifts |
| 1 Cor 14:13 | Therefore let anyone who speaks in a tongue pray that he may interpret. | The solution for tongues in worship |
| 1 Cor 14:14 | For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my mind is unfruitful. | Distinction between spirit and mind in tongues |
| 1 Cor 14:15 | What am I to do? I will pray with my spirit, but I will pray with my mind also; I will sing with my spirit, but I will sing with my mind also. | The importance of praying with understanding |
| 1 Cor 14:16 | If you give praise with your spirit, how can one who is present as an inquirer say the “Amen” at your thanksgiving, since they do not understand what you are saying? | The impact of unintelligible praise |
| 1 Cor 14:17 | For you may give thanks well enough, but the other person is not built up. | Reiterating the lack of edification |
| 1 Cor 14:19 | However, in the church I would rather speak five intelligible words to instruct others than ten thousand words in a tongue. | Preferring clear instruction |
| 1 Cor 14:23 | But if all prophesy, and an unbeliever or an incomer enters, he is convicted by all, he is judged by all; thus the secrets of his heart are disclosed; and so, falling on his face, he will worship God, reporting that God is indeed in you. | The effect of prophesy on unbelievers |
| Rom 8:26 | Likewise the Spirit helps our weaknesses. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. | The Spirit's intercession, often not understood verbally |
| Acts 2:4 | And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance. | The initial outpouring of tongues at Pentecost |
| Acts 10:46 | For they heard them speaking in tongues and extolling God. | Tongues understood by those speaking |
| Gal 1:8 | But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel contrary to the one that we have preached to you, let him be accursed. | The importance of clear and true gospel preaching |
| Phil 2:15 | that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world | The call to be a light and witness |
| John 14:26 | But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you. | The Spirit as a teacher of truth |
| Eph 4:29 | Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear. | The principle of speech that edifies |
| Eph 5:19 | speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with all your heart | Encouragement for corporate worship |
1 Corinthians 14 verses
1 Corinthians 14 11 Meaning
The verse signifies that if there is no interpreter present to translate a language unknown to the listeners, the spirit speaking within the person praying in that unknown tongue does not benefit the assembled congregation. It highlights the need for comprehensibility in public worship to edify others.
1 Corinthians 14 11 Context
First Corinthians chapter 14 addresses the use of spiritual gifts, particularly speaking in tongues and prophecy, within the context of Christian worship. The Corinthian church was experiencing a strong manifestation of spiritual gifts, but their use was causing disorder and division. Paul aims to regulate these gifts for the edification of the entire body of believers. Specifically, verses 1-25 focus on establishing the superiority of prophecy over uninterpreted tongues in public worship because prophecy directly edifies the church, while uninterpreted tongues benefit only the speaker. Verse 11 is situated within this discussion, highlighting the communication barrier created by uninterpreted tongues in a communal setting.
1 Corinthians 14 11 Word Analysis
- εἰ (ei) - If
- δὲ (de) - But, and (conjunction, often adversative or continuative)
- φωνὴ (phōnē) - Voice, sound, utterance
- ἔστιν (estin) - Is (third person singular, present indicative of εἰμί, to be)
- ἐν (en) - In, on, among
- τῷ (tō) - The (definite article, dative masculine singular)
- κόσμῳ (kosmō) - World (dative singular of κόσμος, kosmos, world, order, adornment). Here, refers to the context or environment of human society.
- καὶ (kai) - And, also
- μηδεμία (mēdemia) - Not even one, no (neuter singular nominative of μηδείς, mēdeis, no one, nothing)
- αὐτῶν (autōn) - Of them (genitive plural masculine/neuter pronoun, referring back to voices/languages)
- ἔστω (estō) - Let it be (third person singular, imperative of εἰμί, to be). It implies a prohibition or strong wish for something not to happen.
Words group analysis:
- "εἰ δὲ φωνὴ ἔστιν ἐν τῷ κόσμῳ" (ei de phōnē estin en tō kosmō): "But if there is a voice in the world." This sets up a conditional statement regarding a sound or utterance existing within the human sphere.
- "καὶ μηδεμία αὐτῶν ἔστω" (kai mēdemia autōn estō): "and let none of them be either" or "and let there be no interpretation of them." This clause, read in conjunction with the previous, signifies that if a language or utterance exists (which is the context), it lacks meaning or intelligibility to those hearing it, and therefore, no interpretation should be permitted or considered relevant in its current form if it doesn't convey understanding. The phrase implies a consequence or condition: if a sound has no inherent meaning to the listener, its presence is ineffectual.
1 Corinthians 14 11 Bonus Section
The concept of an "unknown tongue" (glōssa) in 1 Corinthians 14 is debated among scholars. Some believe it refers to literal human languages previously unknown to the speaker (as seen in Acts 2), while others interpret it as ecstatic utterances or heavenly languages that are inherently unintelligible without divine interpretation. Regardless of the exact nature of the "tongue," Paul’s principle remains: communication in worship must be intelligible to the congregation to achieve the purpose of building them up in faith. The verse also underscores the idea that God's message, when delivered corporately, should be accessible and understandable to all present, reflecting the inclusivity of God's love and the Great Commission to make disciples of all nations. The principle applies even to contemporary Christian gatherings; the intent of any form of expression in worship should be to communicate God's truth and love effectively to all participants.
1 Corinthians 14 11 Commentary
This verse emphasizes the paramount importance of clear communication and mutual understanding in corporate worship. When the gift of tongues is exercised in the assembly, it must be accompanied by interpretation. Without interpretation, the sound, however spiritual its origin for the speaker, fails to convey meaning to the listeners. Therefore, it does not build up or edify the church, which is the ultimate goal of all spiritual gifts in a communal setting. It's not about invalidating the gift itself, but about its proper and beneficial use in a gathered community. The presence of a clear message that can be understood and responded to (e.g., with an "Amen") is vital for the spiritual nourishment and unity of the body of Christ.