1 Corinthians 14:10
There are, it may be, so many kinds of voices in the world, and none of them is without signification.
Original Language Analysis
τοσαῦτα
so many
G5118
τοσαῦτα
so many
Strong's:
G5118
Word #:
1 of 12
apparently from g3588 and g3739) and g3778 (including its variations); so vast as this, i.e., such (in quantity, amount, number of space)
τύχοι
it may be
G5177
τύχοι
it may be
Strong's:
G5177
Word #:
3 of 12
akin to the base of g5088 through the idea of effecting; properly, to affect; or (specially), to hit or light upon (as a mark to be reached), i.e., (t
γένη
kinds
G1085
γένη
kinds
Strong's:
G1085
Word #:
4 of 12
"kin" (abstract or concrete, literal or figurative, individual or collective)
φωνῶν
of voices
G5456
φωνῶν
of voices
Strong's:
G5456
Word #:
5 of 12
a tone (articulate, bestial or artificial); by implication, an address (for any purpose), saying or language
ἐστιν
There are
G2076
ἐστιν
There are
Strong's:
G2076
Word #:
6 of 12
he (she or it) is; also (with neuter plural) they are
κόσμῳ
the world
G2889
κόσμῳ
the world
Strong's:
G2889
Word #:
8 of 12
orderly arrangement, i.e., decoration; by implication, the world (including its inhabitants, literally or figuratively (morally))
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
9 of 12
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
οὐδὲν
none of them
G3762
οὐδὲν
none of them
Strong's:
G3762
Word #:
10 of 12
not even one (man, woman or thing), i.e., none, nobody, nothing
Historical Context
Corinth was a cosmopolitan port city with speakers of Latin, Greek, Hebrew, and countless other languages. Paul's point would be obvious: speaking Greek to Latin-only speakers achieves nothing, however eloquent the Greek.
Questions for Reflection
- How does Paul's acknowledgment of linguistic diversity support his argument about tongues?
- What's the difference between something being meaningful in itself versus meaningful to hearers?
- How might this principle apply to other forms of communication in worship (music, art, etc.)?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
There are, it may be, so many kinds of voices in the world—Greek tosauta genē phōnōn (τοσαῦτα γένη φωνῶν, "so many kinds of voices/languages"). Paul acknowledges the world's linguistic diversity. And none of them is without signification (aphōnon, ἄφωνον, "voiceless, meaningless")—every language has meaning to those who speak it.
The argument: every human language is meaningful within its community. The problem with uninterpreted tongues isn't that they lack meaning absolutely, but that they lack meaning to the hearers. Communication requires shared understanding. Tongues are legitimate languages (heavenly or earthly, Paul doesn't specify), but without interpretation, they're functionally meaningless in a gathering where no one understands.