1 Corinthians 14:28
New International Version
If there is no interpreter, the speaker should keep quiet in the church and speak to himself and to God.

New Living Translation
But if no one is present who can interpret, they must be silent in your church meeting and speak in tongues to God privately.

English Standard Version
But if there is no one to interpret, let each of them keep silent in church and speak to himself and to God.

Berean Standard Bible
But if there is no interpreter, he should remain silent in the church and speak only to himself and God.

Berean Literal Bible
But if there is no interpreter, let him be silent in the church, and let him speak to himself and to God.

King James Bible
But if there be no interpreter, let him keep silence in the church; and let him speak to himself, and to God.

New King James Version
But if there is no interpreter, let him keep silent in church, and let him speak to himself and to God.

New American Standard Bible
but if there is no interpreter, he is to keep silent in church; and have him speak to himself and to God.

NASB 1995
but if there is no interpreter, he must keep silent in the church; and let him speak to himself and to God.

NASB 1977
but if there is no interpreter, let him keep silent in the church; and let him speak to himself and to God.

Legacy Standard Bible
but if there is no translator, he must keep silent in the church, and let him speak to himself and to God.

Amplified Bible
But if there is no one to interpret, the one [who wishes to speak in a tongue] must keep silent in church; let him speak to himself and to God.

Christian Standard Bible
But if there is no interpreter, that person is to keep silent in the church and speak to himself and God.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
But if there is no interpreter, that person should keep silent in the church and speak to himself and to God.

American Standard Version
but if there be no interpreter, let him keep silence in the church; and let him speak to himself, and to God.

Contemporary English Version
If no one can explain, you must keep silent in church and speak only to yourself and to God.

English Revised Version
but if there be no interpreter, let him keep silence in the church; and let him speak to himself, and to God.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
But if an interpreter isn't present, those people should remain silent in church. They should only speak to themselves and to God.

Good News Translation
But if no one is there who can explain, then the one who speaks in strange tongues must be quiet and speak only to himself and to God.

International Standard Version
If an interpreter is not present, the speaker should remain silent in the church and speak to himself and God.

Majority Standard Bible
But if there is no interpreter, he should remain silent in the church and speak only to himself and God.

NET Bible
But if there is no interpreter, he should be silent in the church. Let him speak to himself and to God.

New Heart English Bible
But if there is no interpreter, let him keep silent in the church, and let him speak to himself, and to God.

Webster's Bible Translation
But if there is no interpreter, let him keep silence in the church; and let him speak to himself, and to God.

Weymouth New Testament
or if there is no interpreter, let the man with the gift be silent in the Church, speaking to himself and to God.

World English Bible
But if there is no interpreter, let him keep silent in the assembly, and let him speak to himself and to God.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
and if there may be no interpreter, let him be silent in an assembly, and let him speak to himself, and to God.

Berean Literal Bible
But if there is no interpreter, let him be silent in the church, and let him speak to himself and to God.

Young's Literal Translation
and if there may be no interpreter, let him be silent in an assembly, and to himself let him speak, and to God.

Smith's Literal Translation
And if there be no interpreter, let him be silent in the church; and let him speak to himself, and to God.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
But if there be no interpreter, let him hold his peace in the church, and speak to himself and to God.

Catholic Public Domain Version
But if there is no one to interpret, he should remain silent in the church, then he may speak when he is alone with God.

New American Bible
But if there is no interpreter, the person should keep silent in the church and speak to himself and to God.

New Revised Standard Version
But if there is no one to interpret, let them be silent in church and speak to themselves and to God.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
But if there is no one to interpret, let him who speaks in an unknown tongue keep silence in the church; and let him speak to himself and to God.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
And if there is no translator, let him who speaks in a language be silent in the church and let him speak to himself and to God.
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
But if there be no interpreter, let him keep silence in the church: but let him speak to himself, and to God.

Godbey New Testament
but if there may be no interpreter, let him keep silent in the church; but let him speak to himself, and to God.

Haweis New Testament
But if there be not an interpreter, let him be silent in the church; but let him speak to himself and to God.

Mace New Testament
but if there be no interpreter, let him keep silence in the church; and tacitly address himself to God.

Weymouth New Testament
or if there is no interpreter, let the man with the gift be silent in the Church, speaking to himself and to God.

Worrell New Testament
but, if there is no interpreter, let him keep silence in the assembly, and let him speak to himself and to God.

Worsley New Testament
But if there be no interpreter, let him be silent in the assembly; and let him speak to himself and to God.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Orderly Worship
27If anyone speaks in a tongue, two, or at most three, should speak in turn, and someone must interpret. 28But if there is no interpreter, he should remain silent in the church and speak only to himself and God. 29Two or three prophets should speak, and the others should weigh carefully what is said.…

Cross References
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. ...

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 12:28-30
And in the church God has appointed first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then workers of miracles, and those with gifts of healing, helping, administration, and various tongues. / Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles? / Do all have gifts of healing? Do all speak in tongues? Do all interpret?

Romans 12:6-8
We have different gifts according to the grace given us. If one’s gift is prophecy, let him use it in proportion to his faith; / if it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; / if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is giving, let him give generously; if it is leading, let him lead with diligence; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully.

Ephesians 4:11-12
And it was He who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, / to equip the saints for works of ministry and to build up the body of Christ,

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 13:8-10
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. / For we know in part and we prophesy in part, / but when the perfect comes, the partial passes away.

1 Corinthians 14:5
I wish that all of you could speak in tongues, but I would rather have you prophesy. He who prophesies is greater than one who speaks in tongues, unless he interprets so that the church may be edified.

1 Corinthians 14:13
Therefore, the one who speaks in a tongue should pray that he may interpret.

1 Corinthians 14:19
But in the church, I would rather speak five coherent words to instruct others than ten thousand words in a tongue.

1 Corinthians 14:33
For God is not a God of disorder, but of peace—as in all the churches of the saints.

1 Corinthians 14:39-40
So, my brothers, be eager to prophesy, and do not forbid speaking in tongues. / But everything must be done in a proper and orderly manner.

Numbers 11:25-29
Then the LORD came down in the cloud and spoke to him, and He took some of the Spirit that was on Moses and placed that Spirit on the seventy elders. As the Spirit rested on them, they prophesied—but they never did so again. / Two men, however, had remained in the camp—one named Eldad and the other Medad—and the Spirit rested on them. They were among those listed, but they had not gone out to the tent, and they prophesied in the camp. / A young man ran and reported to Moses, “Eldad and Medad are prophesying in the camp.” ...

Deuteronomy 18:18-22
I will raise up for them a prophet like you from among their brothers. I will put My words in his mouth, and he will tell them everything I command him. / And I will hold accountable anyone who does not listen to My words that the prophet speaks in My name. / But if any prophet dares to speak a message in My name that I have not commanded him to speak, or to speak in the name of other gods, that prophet must be put to death.” ...

Isaiah 28:11-12
Indeed, with mocking lips and foreign tongues, He will speak to this people / to whom He has said: “This is the place of rest, let the weary rest; this is the place of repose.” But they would not listen.


Treasury of Scripture

But if there be no interpreter, let him keep silence in the church; and let him speak to himself, and to God.

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Assembly Church Gift Interpret Interpreter Quiet Sense Silence Silent Speak Speaker Speaking Words
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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.














But if there is no interpreter
The phrase "no interpreter" is crucial in understanding the orderly conduct Paul advocates for in the church. The Greek word for "interpreter" is "hermēneutēs," which implies someone who can translate or explain the meaning of tongues. In the early church, the gift of tongues was often a sign of the Holy Spirit's presence, but without interpretation, it could lead to confusion. Paul emphasizes the need for clarity and edification in worship, underscoring that spiritual gifts should build up the church, not create disorder.

he should remain silent in the church
The directive to "remain silent" uses the Greek word "sigatō," which means to hold one's peace or refrain from speaking. This instruction is not a prohibition against speaking in tongues but a call for self-control and discernment. In the context of worship, silence is sometimes more edifying than speech, especially when the latter cannot be understood. This reflects a broader biblical principle that worship should be conducted in a manner that is intelligible and beneficial to all present.

and speak only to himself and God
The phrase "speak only to himself and God" highlights the personal and intimate nature of prayer and communication with God. The Greek word "laleō" for "speak" suggests a continuous or habitual action, indicating that even if public expression is not possible, private communion with God remains vital. This underscores the personal aspect of faith, where one's spiritual life is not solely dependent on public expressions but is deeply rooted in personal devotion and prayer. Paul acknowledges the value of speaking in tongues as a form of personal edification, even when it is not shared with the congregation.

(28) But if there be no interpreter.--But if there be no one with the gift of interpreting, then the speaker with tongues was not to exercise his gift publicly at all; he may only exercise his gift in private with himself and God.

Verse 28. - Let him keep silence. The "him" refers to the glossolalist, not to the interpreter. To himself. In his private devotions (as St. Paul himself seems to have done); not in the public assembly.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
But
δὲ (de)
Conjunction
Strong's 1161: A primary particle; but, and, etc.

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

there is
(ē)
Verb - Present Subjunctive Active - 3rd 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.

no
μὴ (mē)
Adverb
Strong's 3361: Not, lest. A primary particle of qualified negation; not, lest; also (whereas ou expects an affirmative one) whether.

interpreter,
διερμηνευτής (diermēneutēs)
Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 1328: An interpreter. From diermeneuo; an explainer.

he should remain silent
σιγάτω (sigatō)
Verb - Present Imperative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 4601: Intrans: I am silent, keep silence; trans: I keep secret; pass: I am kept secret. From sige; to keep silent.

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] church
ἐκκλησίᾳ (ekklēsia)
Noun - Dative Feminine Singular
Strong's 1577: From a compound of ek and a derivative of kaleo; a calling out, i.e. a popular meeting, especially a religious congregation.

and
δὲ (de)
Conjunction
Strong's 1161: A primary particle; but, and, etc.

speak [only]
λαλείτω (laleitō)
Verb - Present Imperative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 2980: A prolonged form of an otherwise obsolete verb; to talk, i.e. Utter words.

to himself
ἑαυτῷ (heautō)
Reflexive Pronoun - Dative Masculine 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 1438: Himself, herself, itself.

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

God.
Θεῷ (Theō)
Noun - Dative Masculine Singular
Strong's 2316: A deity, especially the supreme Divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very.


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NT Letters: 1 Corinthians 14:28 But if there is no interpreter let (1 Cor. 1C iC 1Cor i cor icor)
1 Corinthians 14:27
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