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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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;

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.

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.

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 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.

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.

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;

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
Acts 28:2
The islanders showed us extraordinary kindness. They kindled a fire and welcomed all of us because it was raining and cold.

1 Corinthians 14:10
Assuredly, there are many different languages in the world, yet none of them is without meaning.


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.














(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)
1 Corinthians 14:10
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