1 Corinthians 14:2
For he that speaketh in an unknown tongue speaketh not unto men, but unto God: for no man understandeth him; howbeit in the spirit he speaketh mysteries.
Original Language Analysis
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
1 of 17
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
γὰρ
For
G1063
γὰρ
For
Strong's:
G1063
Word #:
2 of 17
properly, assigning a reason (used in argument, explanation or intensification; often with other particles)
γλώσσῃ
in an unknown tongue
G1100
γλώσσῃ
in an unknown tongue
Strong's:
G1100
Word #:
4 of 17
the tongue; by implication, a language (specially, one naturally unacquired)
ἀλλὰ
but
G235
ἀλλὰ
but
Strong's:
G235
Word #:
8 of 17
properly, other things, i.e., (adverbially) contrariwise (in many relations)
τῶ
G3588
τῶ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
9 of 17
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
θεῷ·
unto God
G2316
θεῷ·
unto God
Strong's:
G2316
Word #:
10 of 17
a deity, especially (with g3588) the supreme divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; exceedingly (by hebraism)
οὐδεὶς
no man
G3762
οὐδεὶς
no man
Strong's:
G3762
Word #:
11 of 17
not even one (man, woman or thing), i.e., none, nobody, nothing
γὰρ
For
G1063
γὰρ
For
Strong's:
G1063
Word #:
12 of 17
properly, assigning a reason (used in argument, explanation or intensification; often with other particles)
πνεύματι
in the spirit
G4151
πνεύματι
in the spirit
Strong's:
G4151
Word #:
14 of 17
a current of air, i.e., breath (blast) or a breeze; by analogy or figuratively, a spirit, i.e., (human) the rational soul, (by implication) vital prin
Cross References
Mark 16:17And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues;Acts 10:46For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God. Then answered Peter,Acts 19:6And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied.1 Corinthians 13:2And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing.1 Corinthians 2:10But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God.
Historical Context
Corinthian worship likely included simultaneous uninterpreted tongues-speaking, creating confusion rather than worship. Paul doesn't deny tongues' validity but questions their public use without interpretation.
Questions for Reflection
- What distinguishes private devotional tongues from their misuse in public worship?
- How does speaking 'mysteries' that no one understands fail to serve love?
- Why does Paul emphasize that tongues are directed toward God rather than men?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
He that speaketh in an unknown tongue speaketh not unto men, but unto God—the Greek simply has glōssa (γλῶσσα, "tongue/language"), with "unknown" supplied by translators. Paul's point: uninterpreted tongues are vertically directed (God-ward) but horizontally ineffective (man-ward). No man understandeth him (oudeis akouei, "no one hears/understands")—without interpretation, tongues lack communicative function in corporate worship.
In the spirit he speaketh mysteries (πνεύματι λαλεῖ μυστήρια)—pneumati could be "in spirit" (his spirit) or "by the Spirit" (Holy Spirit), likely the former given the context of private devotion. Mystēria are divine secrets, but here secrets that remain secret—unknown to hearers, thus failing to edify.