


1 Corinthians 14:10
Bible Versions
There are, it may be, so many kinds of voices in the world, and none of them [is] without signification.
There are undoubtedly all kinds of sounds in the world, and none is altogether meaningless;
Assuredly, there are many different languages in the world, yet none of them is without meaning.
There are, it may be, so many kinds of voices in the world, and no kind is without signification.
No cross-references found for this verse.
Context of 1 Corinthians 14:10
In 1 Corinthians chapter 14, the Apostle Paul is addressing issues related to the proper use and prioritization of spiritual gifts within the Corinthian church, particularly focusing on speaking in tongues and prophecy. His primary concern is that all activities in the church assembly should lead to edification and understanding. He contrasts speaking in tongues, which requires interpretation to be intelligible to others, with prophecy, which directly speaks to the understanding of the hearers.
Verse 10 serves as an illustrative point in Paul's argument. He is building the case for the necessity of intelligibility in speech, especially in public worship. Before directly stating that one must speak intelligibly (as in 1 Corinthians 14:9), he first establishes a general principle about communication in the world.
Key Themes and Messages
Linguistic Insights
The KJV phrase "kinds of voices" translates the Greek word phōnai (φωναί), which literally means "sounds" or "voices," but in this context, it broadly refers to different languages or utterances. It encompasses any distinct sound that conveys information.
The phrase "without signification" comes from the Greek aphōnos (ἄφωνος), which literally means "voiceless" or "mute." Paul uses the negative in combination with this word to assert that none of these diverse sounds are truly without meaning or purpose. The implied meaning is "without an intelligible message for those who hear it." This subtle linguistic point reinforces that every sound has a source and a potential message, even if we don't immediately grasp it.
Practical Application
1 Corinthians 14:10 offers several timeless applications: