1 Corinthians 14:10
New International Version
Undoubtedly there are all sorts of languages in the world, yet none of them is without meaning.

New Living Translation
There are many different languages in the world, and every language has meaning.

English Standard Version
There are doubtless many different languages in the world, and none is without meaning,

Berean Standard Bible
Assuredly, there are many different languages in the world, yet none of them is without meaning.

Berean Literal Bible
There are, if it may be, so many kinds of languages in the world, and none without meaning.

King James Bible
There are, it may be, so many kinds of voices in the world, and none of them is without signification.

New King James Version
There are, it may be, so many kinds of languages in the world, and none of them is without significance.

New American Standard Bible
There are, perhaps, a great many kinds of languages in the world, and none is incapable of meaning.

NASB 1995
There are, perhaps, a great many kinds of languages in the world, and no kind is without meaning.

NASB 1977
There are, perhaps, a great many kinds of languages in the world, and no kind is without meaning.

Legacy Standard Bible
There are, perhaps, a great many kinds of sounds in the world, and none is without meaning.

Amplified Bible
There are, I suppose, a great many kinds of languages in the world [unknown to us], and none is lacking in meaning.

Christian Standard Bible
There are doubtless many different kinds of languages in the world, none is without meaning.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
There are doubtless many different kinds of languages in the world, and all have meaning.

American Standard Version
There are, it may be, so many kinds of voices in the world, and no kind is without signification.

Contemporary English Version
There are many different languages in this world, and all of them make sense.

English Revised Version
There are, it may be, so many kinds of voices in the world, and no kind is without signification.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
No matter how many different languages there are in the world, not one of them is without meaning.

Good News Translation
There are many different languages in the world, yet none of them is without meaning.

International Standard Version
There are, I suppose, many different languages in the world, yet none of them is without meaning.

Majority Standard Bible
Assuredly, there are many different languages in the world, yet none of them is without meaning.

NET Bible
There are probably many kinds of languages in the world, and none is without meaning.

New Heart English Bible
There are, it may be, so many kinds of voices in the world, and none is without meaning.

Webster's Bible Translation
There are, it may be, so many kinds of voices in the world, and none of them is without signification.

Weymouth New Testament
There are, we will suppose, a great number of languages in the world, and no creature is without a language.

World English Bible
There are, it may be, so many kinds of languages in the world, and none of them is without meaning.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
There are, it may be, so many kinds of voices in the world, and none of them is unmeaning.

Berean Literal Bible
There are, if it may be, so many kinds of languages in the world, and none without meaning.

Young's Literal Translation
There are, it may be, so many kinds of voices in the world, and none of them is unmeaning,

Smith's Literal Translation
If perchance, such kind of voices be in the world, and none of them speechless.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
There are, for example, so many kinds of tongues in this world; and none is without voice.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Consider that there are so many different kinds of languages in this world, and yet none is without a voice.

New American Bible
It happens that there are many different languages in the world, and none is meaningless;

New Revised Standard Version
There are doubtless many different kinds of sounds in the world, and nothing is without sound.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
For, behold, there are many kinds of speech in the world, yet none of them are without expression.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
For behold, there are many kinds of languages in the world, and there is not one of them without sound.
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
There are, it may be, so many kinds of voices in the world, and none of them is without meaning.

Godbey New Testament
If it so happens that there are so many kinds of voices in the world, and nothing without a voice;

Haweis New Testament
For though there are so many different kinds of languages in the world, yet is not one of them without its meaning.

Mace New Testament
there are, it may be, as many different languages in the world as there are people, and none of them without signification.

Weymouth New Testament
There are, we will suppose, a great number of languages in the world, and no creature is without a language.

Worrell New Testament
There are, it may be, so many kinds of voices in the world, and no one of them is without signification.

Worsley New Testament
There are, it may be, as many kinds of voices in the world as people, and none of them insignificant.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Prophecy and Tongues
9So it is with you. Unless you speak intelligible words with your tongue, how will anyone know what you are saying? You will just be speaking into the air. 10 Assuredly, 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.…

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 2:4-11
And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them. / Now there were dwelling in Jerusalem God-fearing Jews from every nation under heaven. / And when this sound rang out, a crowd came together in bewilderment, because each one heard them speaking his own language. ...

Revelation 7:9
After this I looked and saw a multitude too large to count, from every nation and tribe and people and tongue, standing before the throne and before the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and holding palm branches in their hands.

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

Zephaniah 3:9
For then I will restore pure lips to the peoples, that all may call upon the name of the LORD and serve Him shoulder to shoulder.

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.

Mark 16:17
And these signs will accompany those who believe: In My name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new tongues;

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

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.

Psalm 19:3
Without speech or language, without a sound to be heard,

Daniel 3:4-7
Then the herald loudly proclaimed, “O people of every nation and language, this is what you are commanded: / As soon as you hear the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp, pipes, and all kinds of music, you must fall down and worship the golden statue that King Nebuchadnezzar has set up. / And whoever does not fall down and worship will immediately be thrown into the blazing fiery furnace.” ...

Acts 2:6
And when this sound rang out, a crowd came together in bewilderment, because each one heard them speaking his own language.

Acts 2:8
How is it then that each of us hears them in his own native language?


Treasury of Scripture

There are, it may be, so many kinds of voices in the world, and none of them is without signification.

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Creature Different Doubtless Great Kind Kinds Languages Meaning Perhaps Sorts Sound Sounds Suppose Undoubtedly Voice Voices World
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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.














Assuredly,
This word emphasizes certainty and confidence. It reflects the apostle Paul's authoritative tone as he addresses the Corinthian church, affirming the truth of his statement. This assurance is consistent with Paul's role as an apostle, tasked with conveying divine truths to the early church.

there are many different languages in the world,
The mention of "many different languages" highlights the diversity of human speech, a reality since the Tower of Babel (Genesis 11:1-9), where God confused human language to scatter people across the earth. This diversity is a testament to God's sovereignty and the complexity of His creation. In the context of Corinth, a cosmopolitan city, the presence of multiple languages would have been a daily reality, reflecting the city's trade and cultural exchanges.

yet none of them is without meaning.
This phrase underscores the inherent purpose and significance of each language. Every language serves as a vehicle for communication, understanding, and relationship-building. In the biblical context, language is a gift from God, intended for expressing His truths and facilitating human interaction. This idea is echoed in Acts 2:4-11, where the Holy Spirit enables the apostles to speak in various tongues, allowing people from different nations to hear the gospel in their own language. The meaningfulness of language also points to the importance of clarity and edification in the use of spiritual gifts, a central theme in 1 Corinthians 14.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Apostle Paul
The author of 1 Corinthians, addressing the church in Corinth about the use of spiritual gifts, particularly the gift of tongues.

2. Corinth
A major city in ancient Greece, known for its diverse population and cultural influences, which included a variety of languages and dialects.

3. Corinthian Church
The recipients of Paul's letter, a diverse group of believers struggling with issues of unity and the proper use of spiritual gifts.
Teaching Points
The Importance of Communication
Language is a tool for conveying meaning and understanding. In the church, clear communication is essential for edification and unity.

Diversity in the Body of Christ
Just as there are many languages, there are diverse gifts and roles within the church. Each has its purpose and value.

The Role of Interpretation
Spiritual gifts, like speaking in tongues, require interpretation to be beneficial to the church. This principle applies to all forms of communication within the body of Christ.

Unity Amidst Diversity
The church is called to embrace diversity while striving for unity. This involves respecting and valuing different expressions and gifts.

Purposeful Use of Gifts
Spiritual gifts should be used purposefully to build up the church, not for personal gain or show.(10) There are, it may be, so many kinds of voices in the world.--There are a great many voices or languages in the world, and none of them but has a right meaning when spoken rightly and to the right person. No word in any language can be meaningless, but must correspond to some thought--for the thought exists first, and the word is invented as the expression of it.

Verse 10. - It may be. A mere expression of uncertainty as to the exact number (comp. 1 Corinthians 15:37). It is one of the very few instances where even the verb which implies "chance" is recognized. The word "chance" itself (τυχὴ) does not occur in the New Testament. So many kinds of voices. This does not seem to mean "so many languages." The Jews always asserted that the languages, of the world were seventy in number. It seems to mean "classes of expressive sounds." None of them is without signification. The words rendered "without signification," literally mean dumb. The meaning must either be that "nothing - no creature - is dumb," or that "every class of sounds has its own distinct meaning."

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
Assuredly,
τύχοι (tychoi)
Verb - Aorist Optative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 5177: (a) gen: I obtain, (b) absol: I chance, happen; ordinary, everyday, it may chance, perhaps.

there are
εἰσιν (eisin)
Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 1510: I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist.

many
Τοσαῦτα (Tosauta)
Demonstrative Pronoun - Nominative Neuter Plural
Strong's 5118: So great, so large, so long, so many. From tosos and houtos; so vast as this, i.e. Such.

different
γένη (genē)
Noun - Nominative Neuter Plural
Strong's 1085: Offspring, family, race, nation, kind. From ginomai; 'kin'.

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

in
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.

[the] world,
κόσμῳ (kosmō)
Noun - Dative Masculine Singular
Strong's 2889: Probably from the base of komizo; orderly arrangement, i.e. Decoration; by implication, the world (morally).

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

none [of them is]
οὐδὲν (ouden)
Adjective - Nominative Neuter Singular
Strong's 3762: No one, none, nothing.

without meaning.
ἄφωνον (aphōnon)
Adjective - Nominative Neuter Singular
Strong's 880: Soundless, voiceless, speechless, dumb. Figuratively, unmeaning.


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NT Letters: 1 Corinthians 14:10 There are it may be so many (1 Cor. 1C iC 1Cor i cor icor)
1 Corinthians 14:9
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