1 Corinthians 14:11
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.
Original Language Analysis
ἐὰν
G1437
ἐὰν
Strong's:
G1437
Word #:
1 of 18
a conditional particle; in case that, provided, etc.; often used in connection with other particles to denote indefiniteness or uncertainty
οὖν
Therefore
G3767
οὖν
Therefore
Strong's:
G3767
Word #:
2 of 18
(adverbially) certainly, or (conjunctionally) accordingly
μὴ
G3361
μὴ
Strong's:
G3361
Word #:
3 of 18
(adverb) not, (conjunction) lest; also (as an interrogative implying a negative answer (whereas g3756 expects an affirmative one)) whether
εἰδῶ
I know
G1492
εἰδῶ
I know
Strong's:
G1492
Word #:
4 of 18
used only in certain past tenses, the others being borrowed from the equivalent g3700 and g3708; properly, to see (literally or figuratively); by impl
τὴν
G3588
τὴν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
5 of 18
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
δύναμιν
the meaning
G1411
δύναμιν
the meaning
Strong's:
G1411
Word #:
6 of 18
force (literally or figuratively); specially, miraculous power (usually by implication, a miracle itself)
τῆς
G3588
τῆς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
7 of 18
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
φωνῆς
of the voice
G5456
φωνῆς
of the voice
Strong's:
G5456
Word #:
8 of 18
a tone (articulate, bestial or artificial); by implication, an address (for any purpose), saying or language
τῷ
G3588
τῷ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
10 of 18
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
13 of 18
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
14 of 18
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Historical Context
In the Roman Empire, language barriers were real obstacles. Paul uses this common experience to show how uninterpreted tongues fracture rather than build Christian community.
Questions for Reflection
- How does uninterpreted speech create 'barbarians' in the church?
- What's the theological significance of contrasting Corinth's chaos with Pentecost's clarity?
- What other practices might create barriers ('barbarians') rather than build community?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Therefore if I know not the meaning of the voice, I shall be unto him that speaketh a barbarian—Greek barbaros (βάρβαρος) originally meant a non-Greek speaker (from "bar-bar," the sound of incomprehensible speech). And he that speaketh shall be a barbarian unto me—the mutual incomprehension makes both parties "barbarians" to each other.
Paul's point: uninterpreted tongues create the same alienation as a language barrier. The term barbaros isn't ethnic slur but linguistic description—without shared language, we're foreigners to each other. In the church, called to unity (12:13, "one body"), creating linguistic barriers through uninterpreted tongues contradicts the gospel's reconciling power. Pentecost gave intelligible speech (Acts 2:6, "every man heard them speak in his own language"); Corinth's tongues without interpretation creates Babel.