Lexical Summary dierméneutés: Interpreter Original Word: διερμηνευτής Strong's Exhaustive Concordance interpreter. From diermeneuo; an explainer -- interpreter. see GREEK diermeneuo NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom dierméneuó Definition an explainer, an interpreter NASB Translation interpreter (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 1328: διερμηνευτήςδιερμηνευτής, διερμηνευτου, ὁ (διερμηνεύω, which see), an interpreter: 1 Corinthians 14:28 (L Tr WH marginal reading ἑρμηνευτής.). (Ecclesiastical writings.) Topical Lexicon Context within the Corinthian Epistle Paul’s single use of διερμηνευτής (interpreter, Strong’s 1328) occurs in 1 Corinthians 14:28, where orderly worship is the apostle’s concern: “But if there is no interpreter, he should remain silent in the church and speak only to himself and God” (1 Corinthians 14:28). The term identifies a distinct ministry function that safeguards edification by ensuring that spoken revelation—in this case tongues—is rendered intelligible to the gathered assembly. Relation to the Gift of Interpretation Although the noun διερμηνευτής appears only once, its cognate verbs and nouns (e.g., διερμηνεία, 1 Corinthians 12:10; 1 Corinthians 14:13, 27) describe the spiritual gift that accompanies tongues. The interpreter stands as the Spirit-enabled bridge between the inspired utterance and the congregation’s understanding, fulfilling the principle that “everything must be done to build up the church” (1 Corinthians 14:26). Old Testament and Jewish Foundations Synagogue readings included an official meturgeman who translated Hebrew Scripture into the vernacular Aramaic. This practice foreshadows the New Testament interpreter’s function: the gathered people receive revelation in a language they comprehend (Nehemiah 8:8 illustrates a similar explanatory role). Paul, steeped in synagogue tradition, applies the same pastoral logic to Spirit-given tongues. Historical Trajectory in the Early Church Second-century writers such as Justin Martyr report charismatic speech in worship, but always with interpretation. By the third century, Tertullian identifies interpreters as those who “render to the church what is spoken in tongues.” Thus, the apostolic norm of intelligibility became embedded in post-apostolic liturgy, reinforcing Scripture’s sufficiency and clarity. Ministry Implications Today 1. Edification: Public speech—whether a translated sermon, sign-language rendering, or tongue with interpretation—must communicate truth clearly so that “the church may be built up” (1 Corinthians 14:5). Theological Significance • Revelation is meaningful only when apprehended; therefore, interpretation protects both the clarity of God’s Word and the unity of the body. Application for Contemporary Congregations • Provide trained or spiritually gifted interpreters whenever international prayer or prophetic tongue utterances occur. Summary Strong’s 1328 designates the Spirit-enabled interpreter whose presence transforms a private mystery into a public blessing. In every age, God raises up such mediators of meaning so that “all may learn and all may be encouraged” (1 Corinthians 14:31). Forms and Transliterations διερμηνευτης διερμηνευτής diermeneutes diermeneutḗs diermēneutēs diermēneutḗsLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts |
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