1 Corinthians 14:10

10 There are, it may be, so many kinds of voices in the world, and none of them [is] without signification.

1 Corinthians 14:10 Meaning and Commentary

1 Corinthians 14:10

There are, it may be, so many kinds of voices
(anvl) , "tongues", or "languages", as the Syriac version renders it; that is, as many as there are nations in the world; there may be seventy of them, as the Jews say there were at the confusion of languages at Babel; there may be more or less:

and none of them is without signification:
every language, and every word in a language, has a meaning in it, an idea annexed to it, which it conveys to him that understands it, and that cannot be done without a voice ordinarily speaking.

1 Corinthians 14:10 In-Context

8 For if the trumpet shall give an uncertain sound, who will prepare himself for battle?

9 So likewise ye, except ye utter by the tongue words easy to be understood, how shall it be known what is spoken? for ye will speak into the air.

10 There are, it may be, so many kinds of voices in the world, and none of them [is] without signification.

11 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.

12 Even so ye, forasmuch as ye are zealous of spiritual [gifts], seek that ye may excel to the edifying of the church.