1 Corinthians 14:10

1 Corinthians 14:10 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)There are, it may be, so many kinds of voices in the world, and none of them is without signification.
• New International Version (NIV)Undoubtedly there are all sorts of languages in the world, yet none of them is without meaning.
• English Standard Version (ESV)There are doubtless many different languages in the world, and none is without meaning,
• New King James Version (NKJV)There are, it may be, so many kinds of languages in the world, and none of them is without significance.

Context of 1 Corinthians 14:10

8And if the [war] bugle produces an indistinct sound, who will prepare himself for battle? 9So it is with you, if you speak words [in an unknown tongue] that are not intelligible and clear, how will anyone understand what you are saying? You will be talking into the air [wasting your breath]! There are, I suppose, a great many kinds of languages in the world [unknown to us], and none is lacking in meaning. 11But if I do not know the meaning of the language, I will [appear to] be a foreigner to the one who is speaking [since he knows exactly what he is saying], and the one who is speaking will [appear to] be a foreigner to me. 12So it is with you, since you are so very eager to have spiritual gifts and manifestations of the Spirit, strive to excel in ways that will build up the church [spiritually].

1 Corinthians 14:10 word by word

τοσαῦτα, εἰ τύχοι, γένη φωνῶν εἰσιν ἐν κόσμῳ, καὶ οὐδὲν ἄφωνον·Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• There areεἰμίeimi · to beG1510
• it mayεἰei · if: if onlyG1487
• beτυγχάνωtugchanō · to obtain/happenG5177
• so manyτοσοῦτοςtosoutos · so greatG5118
• kindsγένοςgenos · family: kindG1085
• of voicesφωνήphōnē · voice/sound: voiceG5456
• inἐνen · in/on/amongG1722
• the worldκόσμοςkosmos · worldG2889
• andκαίkai · andG2532
• noneοὐδείςoudeis · noneG3762
• of themαὐτόςautos · it/s/heG846
• without significationἄφωνοςaphōnos · muteG880

Commentaries on 1 Corinthians 14:10

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 10There are, it may be - , For example. So many kinds of voices - So many different languages, each of which has its distinct articulation, pronunciation, emphasis, and meaning; or there may be so many different nations, each possessing a different language, etc.Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 10There are it may be … - There has been considerable variety in the interpertation of this expression. Rosenmuller renders it, “for the sake of example.” Grotius supposes that Paul meant to indicate that there were, perhaps, or might be, as many languages as the Jews supposed, to wit, seventy. Beza and others suppose it means, that there may he as many languages as there are nations of people. Bloomfield renders it, “Let there he as many kinds of languages…Read the comment
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 6-14Verses 6-14 Even an apostle could not edify, unless he spoke so as to be understood by his hearers. To speak words that have no meaning to those who hear them, is but speaking into the air. That cannot answer the end of speaking, which has no meaning; in this case, speaker and hearers are barbarians to each other. All religious services should be so performed in Christian assemblies, that all may join in, and profit by them. Language plain and easy to be…Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 7-12A message must be clear to communicate well.Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 1010. it may be--that is, perhaps, speaking by conjecture. "It may chance" (1Co 15:37). so many--as may be enumerated by investigators of such matters. Compare "so much," used generally for a definite number left undefined (Ac 5:8; also 2Sa 12:8). kinds of voices--kinds of articulate speech. without signification--without articulate voice (that is, distinct meaning). None is without its own voice, or mode of speech, distinct from the rest.Read the comment

Topics related to 1 Corinthians 14:10

• Interpretation
• Language
• Preaching
• Tongues (the Gift)

In the dictionaries

• Confusion
• Desire
• Edification
• Except
• Pipe
• Profit
• Tongues, Gift of
• Chance
• Corinthians, First Epistle to the
• Holy Spirit

Commentaries on 1 Corinthians 14

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
• Tyndale Open Study Notes
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
• Calvin’s Commentaries
• John Wesley’s Notes
• Illustrated New Testament
• Burkitt’s Expository Notes
• Darby Translation Notes
• Family Bible Notes
• Geneva Bible Translation Notes
• Kingcomments
• Luther’s Commentary on Selected Bible Passages
• Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
• Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
• The People’s New Testament
• Robertson’s Word Pictures
• Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
• Original Douay–Rheims Annotations
• Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
• EGW Writings