1 Corinthians 14:11
New International Version
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.

New Living Translation
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.

English Standard Version
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.

Berean Standard Bible
If, then, I do not know the meaning of someone’s language, I am a foreigner to the speaker, and he is a foreigner to me.

Berean Literal Bible
Therefore unless I know the power of the sound, I will be a barbarian to the one speaking, and the one speaking, a barbarian to me.

King James Bible
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.

New King James Version
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.

New American Standard Bible
So if I do not know the meaning of the language, I will be unintelligible to the one who speaks, and the one who speaks will be unintelligible to me.

NASB 1995
If then I do not know the meaning of the language, I will be to the one who speaks a barbarian, and the one who speaks will be a barbarian to me.

NASB 1977
If then I do not know the meaning of the language, I shall be to the one who speaks a barbarian, and the one who speaks will be a barbarian to me.

Legacy Standard Bible
If then I do not know the meaning of the sound, I will be to the one who speaks a barbarian, and the one who speaks will be a barbarian to me.

Amplified Bible
But 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.

Christian Standard Bible
Therefore, if I do not know the meaning of the language, I will be a foreigner to the speaker, and the speaker will be a foreigner to me.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Therefore, if I do not know the meaning of the language, I will be a foreigner to the speaker, and the speaker will be a foreigner to me.

American Standard Version
If then I know not the meaning of the voice, I shall be to him that speaketh a barbarian, and he that speaketh will be a barbarian unto me.

Contemporary English Version
But if I don't understand the language that someone is using, we will be like foreigners to each other.

English Revised Version
If then I know not the meaning of the voice, I shall be to him that speaketh a barbarian, and he that speaketh will be a barbarian unto me.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
If I don't know what a language means, I will be a foreigner to the person who speaks it and that person will be a foreigner to me.

Good News Translation
But if I do not know the language being spoken, those who use it will be foreigners to me and I will be a foreigner to them.

International Standard Version
If I don't know the meaning of the language, I will be a foreigner to the speaker and the speaker will be a foreigner to me.

Majority Standard Bible
If, then, I do not know the meaning of someone’s language, I am a foreigner to the speaker, and he is a foreigner to me.

NET Bible
If then I do not know the meaning of a language, I will be a foreigner to the speaker and the speaker a foreigner to me.

New Heart English Bible
If then I do not know the meaning of the sound, I would be to him who speaks a foreigner, and he who speaks would be a foreigner to me.

Webster's Bible Translation
Therefore, if I know not the meaning of the voice, I shall be to him that speaketh a barbarian, and he that speaketh will be a barbarian to me.

Weymouth New Testament
If, however, I do not know the meaning of the particular language, I shall seem to the speaker of it, and he to me, to be merely talking some foreign tongue.

World English Bible
If then I don’t know the meaning of the language, I would be to him who speaks a foreigner, and he who speaks would be a foreigner to me.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
If, then, I do not know the power of the voice, I will be a foreigner to him who is speaking, and he who is speaking is a foreigner to me;

Berean Literal Bible
Therefore unless I know the power of the sound, I will be a barbarian to the one speaking, and the one speaking, a barbarian to me.

Young's Literal Translation
if, then, I do not know the power of the voice, I shall be to him who is speaking a foreigner, and he who is speaking, is to me a foreigner;

Smith's Literal Translation
If therefore I know not the power of the voice, I shall be to him speaking a foreigner, and he speaking a foreigner to me.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
If then I know not the power of the voice, I shall be to him to whom I speak a barbarian; and he that speaketh, a barbarian to me.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Therefore, if I do not understand the nature of the voice, then I shall be like a foreigner to the one with whom I am speaking; and he who is speaking will be like a foreigner to me.

New American Bible
but if I do not know the meaning of a language, I shall be a foreigner to one who speaks it, and one who speaks it a foreigner to me.

New Revised Standard Version
If then I do not know the meaning of a sound, I will be a foreigner to the speaker and the speaker a foreigner to me.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
So if I do not understand the utterance, I shall be as a barbarian to the speaker, and the speaker shall be as a barbarian to me.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
And if I do not know the import of the sound, I am a foreigner to him who speaks, and also he who speaks is a foreigner to me.
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
If, then, I know not the meaning of the voice, I shall be to him that speaks a barbarian; and he that speaks will be a barbarian to me.

Godbey New Testament
if then I do not understand the power of the voice, I will be a barbarian to the one speaking, and the one speaking will be a barbarian to me.

Haweis New Testament
If therefore I know not the force of the expression, I shall be to him that speaketh a barbarian, and he that speaketh will be a barbarian unto me.

Mace New Testament
therefore if I don't know the meaning of the language, with respect to him that speaks, I shall be a barbarian; and he that speaks shall be a barbarian to me.

Weymouth New Testament
If, however, I do not know the meaning of the particular language, I shall seem to the speaker of it, and he to me, to be merely talking some foreign tongue.

Worrell New Testament
If, then, I know not the meaning of the voice, I will be to him who is speaking a barbarian; and he that is speaking, a barbarian to me.

Worsley New Testament
But if I know not the force of the words, I shall be to him that speaketh a barbarian, and he that speaketh will be a barbarian to me.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Prophecy and Tongues
10Assuredly, there are many different languages in the world, yet none of them is without meaning. 11If, then, I do not know the meaning of someone’s language, I am a foreigner to the speaker, and he is a foreigner to me. 12It is the same with you. Since you are eager to have spiritual gifts, strive to excel in gifts that build up the church.…

Cross References
Genesis 11:7-9
Come, let Us go down and confuse their language, so that they will not understand one another’s speech.” / So the LORD scattered them from there over the face of all the earth, and they stopped building the city. / That is why it is called Babel, for there the LORD confused the language of the whole world, and from that place the LORD scattered them over the face of all the earth.

Acts 2:6-8
And when this sound rang out, a crowd came together in bewilderment, because each one heard them speaking his own language. / Astounded and amazed, they asked, “Are not all these who are speaking Galileans? / How is it then that each of us hears them in his own native language?

Isaiah 28:11
Indeed, with mocking lips and foreign tongues, He will speak to this people

Deuteronomy 28:49
The LORD will bring a nation from afar, from the ends of the earth, to swoop down upon you like an eagle—a nation whose language you will not understand,

Jeremiah 5:15
Behold, I am bringing a distant nation against you, O house of Israel,” declares the LORD. “It is an established nation, an ancient nation, a nation whose language you do not know and whose speech you do not understand.

Isaiah 33:19
You will no longer see the insolent, a people whose speech is unintelligible, who stammer in a language you cannot understand.

Ezekiel 3:5-6
For you are not being sent to a people of unfamiliar speech or difficult language, but to the house of Israel— / not to the many peoples of unfamiliar speech and difficult language whose words you cannot understand. Surely if I had sent you to them, they would have listened to you.

Acts 22:2
When they heard him speak to them in Hebrew, they became even more silent. Then Paul declared,

Acts 10:46
For they heard them speaking in tongues and exalting God. Then Peter said,

Acts 19:6
And when Paul laid his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came upon them, and they spoke in tongues and prophesied.

Romans 15:19
by the power of signs and wonders, and by the power of the Spirit of God. So from Jerusalem all the way around to Illyricum, I have fully proclaimed the gospel of Christ.

1 Corinthians 12:10
to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in various tongues, and to still another the interpretation of tongues.

1 Corinthians 13:1
If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a ringing gong or a clanging cymbal.

1 Corinthians 13:8
Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be restrained; where there is knowledge, it will be dismissed.

1 Corinthians 14:21
It is written in the Law: “By strange tongues and foreign lips I will speak to this people, but even then they will not listen to Me, says the Lord.”


Treasury of Scripture

Therefore if I know not the meaning of the voice, I shall be to him that speaks a barbarian, and he that speaks shall be a barbarian to me.

I shall.

1 Corinthians 14:21
In the law it is written, With men of other tongues and other lips will I speak unto this people; and yet for all that will they not hear me, saith the Lord.

Acts 28:2,4
And the barbarous people shewed us no little kindness: for they kindled a fire, and received us every one, because of the present rain, and because of the cold…

Romans 1:14
I am debtor both to the Greeks, and to the Barbarians; both to the wise, and to the unwise.

Jump to Previous
Barbarian Clear Country Foreign Foreigner Grasp However Language Meaning Merely Particular Power Seem Sense Someone Sound Speaker Speaketh Speaking Speaks Strange Talking Tongue Voice
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Barbarian Clear Country Foreign Foreigner Grasp However Language Meaning Merely Particular Power Seem Sense Someone Sound Speaker Speaketh Speaking Speaks Strange Talking Tongue Voice
1 Corinthians 14
1. Prophecy is commended,
2. and preferred before speaking in tongues,
6. by a comparison drawn from musical instruments.
12. Both must be referred to edification,
22. as to their true and proper end.
26. The true use of each is taught,
27. and the abuse rebuked.
34. Women in the churches.














If, then, I do not know
The phrase "If, then, I do not know" introduces a conditional statement that emphasizes the importance of understanding. The Greek word for "know" here is "oida," which implies a deep, intuitive knowledge. In the context of spiritual gifts, particularly speaking in tongues, Paul underscores the necessity of comprehension for edification. Without understanding, the spiritual gift loses its purpose within the church community.

the meaning of someone’s language
The term "meaning" is translated from the Greek word "dynamis," which often refers to power or ability. Here, it suggests the inherent power of language to convey meaning and facilitate communication. "Language" is "phōnē" in Greek, which can mean voice or sound. Paul is addressing the Corinthian church's misuse of the gift of tongues, emphasizing that without interpretation, the language spoken is devoid of its intended power to edify the church.

I will be a foreigner to the speaker
The word "foreigner" is derived from the Greek "barbaros," which originally referred to someone who spoke a different language, often perceived as unintelligible or strange. In the historical context, Greeks used this term for non-Greeks, highlighting cultural and linguistic barriers. Paul uses this imagery to illustrate the disconnect that occurs when language is not understood, even within the body of Christ.

and he will be a foreigner to me
This reciprocal statement reinforces the mutual alienation that results from a lack of understanding. The repetition of "foreigner" underscores the breakdown of fellowship and unity within the church. Paul’s message is clear: spiritual gifts, including tongues, should promote unity and understanding, not division or confusion.

(11) Therefore if I know not the meaning of the voice.--Language is useless unless we know what meaning is attached to each word uttered. The hearer is a foreigner (or barbarian), then, in the estimation of the speaker, and the speaker a foreigner in the estimation of the hearer. Thus the truth that sounds of tongues are useless unless they convey definite ideas to the hearers, is illustrated (1) by different instruments of music, (2) by different sounds of an instrument, (3) by different words and languages of living men--in all of which cases the conveyance of distinct ideas is the sign and test of their utility.

Verse 11. - A barbarian; in other words, unintelligible, according to the definition of the word by Ovid —

"Barbarus hic ego sum, quia non intelligor ulli." Unto me; rather, in my eyes.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
If,
ἐὰν (ean)
Conjunction
Strong's 1437: If. From ei and an; a conditional particle; in case that, provided, etc.

then,
οὖν (oun)
Conjunction
Strong's 3767: Therefore, then. Apparently a primary word; certainly, or accordingly.

I do not know
εἰδῶ (eidō)
Verb - Perfect Subjunctive Active - 1st Person Singular
Strong's 1492: To know, remember, appreciate.

the
τὴν (tēn)
Article - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

meaning
δύναμιν (dynamin)
Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 1411: From dunamai; force; specially, miraculous power.

of someone’s
τῆς (tēs)
Article - Genitive Feminine Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

language,
φωνῆς (phōnēs)
Noun - Genitive Feminine Singular
Strong's 5456: Probably akin to phaino through the idea of disclosure; a tone; by implication, an address, saying or language.

I am
ἔσομαι (esomai)
Verb - Future Indicative Middle - 1st Person Singular
Strong's 1510: I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist.

a foreigner
βάρβαρος (barbaros)
Adjective - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 915: A foreigner, one who speaks neither Greek nor Latin; as adj: foreign. Of uncertain derivation; a foreigner.

to the
τῷ (tō)
Article - Dative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

speaker,
λαλοῦντι (lalounti)
Verb - Present Participle Active - Dative Masculine Singular
Strong's 2980: A prolonged form of an otherwise obsolete verb; to talk, i.e. Utter words.

and
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

[he is]
λαλῶν (lalōn)
Verb - Present Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 2980: A prolonged form of an otherwise obsolete verb; to talk, i.e. Utter words.

a foreigner
βάρβαρος (barbaros)
Adjective - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 915: A foreigner, one who speaks neither Greek nor Latin; as adj: foreign. Of uncertain derivation; a foreigner.

to
ἐν (en)
Preposition
Strong's 1722: In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; 'in, ' at, on, by, etc.

me.
ἐμοὶ (emoi)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Dative 1st Person Singular
Strong's 1473: I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I.


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NT Letters: 1 Corinthians 14:11 If then I don't know the meaning (1 Cor. 1C iC 1Cor i cor icor)
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