1 Corinthians 14:11

KJV

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.

KJV (with Strong's)

Therefore {G3767} if {G3362} I know {G1492} not {G3362} the meaning {G1411} of the voice {G5456}, I shall be {G2071} unto him that speaketh {G2980} a barbarian {G915}, and {G2532} he that speaketh {G2980} shall be a barbarian {G915} unto {G1722} me {G1698}.

Complete Jewish Bible

but if I don’t know what a person’s sounds mean, I will be a foreigner to the speaker and the speaker will be a foreigner to me.

Berean Standard Bible

If, then, I do not know the meaning of someone’s language, I am a foreigner to the speaker, and he is a foreigner to me.

American Standard Version

If then 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 unto me.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
In the Apostle Paul underscores the critical importance of intelligibility in spiritual communication, particularly within the context of the Corinthian church's use of spiritual gifts. He posits that if a speaker's utterance is not understood by the hearer, the communication utterly fails, rendering both parties as unintelligible foreigners to one another. This verse serves as a powerful illustration of Paul's overarching argument for order, clarity, and edification in corporate worship, emphasizing that the purpose of all spiritual expression is to build up the body of Christ, which requires mutual comprehension.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated within Paul's extensive and corrective teaching on spiritual gifts in [1 Corinthians chapters 12-14](/1_corinthians/12-14 "Spiritual Gifts and Orderly Worship"). Following his profound exposition on love as the "most excellent way" in [1 Corinthians 13](/1_corinthians/13 "The Way of Love"), Paul returns to the practical application of spiritual gifts, with a particular focus on prophecy and tongues. The Corinthian church was evidently struggling with the chaotic and unedifying exercise of glossolalia (speaking in tongues) without interpretation, leading to confusion rather than spiritual growth. Paul's argument progresses from the unity of the Spirit and diversity of gifts in [chapter 12](/1_corinthians/12 "Unity in Diversity") to the supremacy of love, and then to the practical regulation of gifts in [chapter 14](/1_corinthians/14 "Order in Worship"). Immediately preceding [verse 11](/1_corinthians/14-11 "The Importance of Intelligibility"), Paul uses the analogy of musical instruments in [1 Corinthians 14:7-8](/1_corinthians/14-7-8 "The Analogy of Musical Instruments"), stressing that instruments must produce distinct, recognizable notes to be useful; similarly, words must be intelligible to convey meaning and prepare listeners for action or understanding.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The city of Corinth was a bustling, cosmopolitan port city, a melting pot of various cultures, languages, and philosophies. As a Roman colony, it was home to Greeks, Romans, Jews, and people from across the empire, making linguistic diversity a daily reality. In such an environment, the concept of a "barbarian" (Greek: _bárbaros_) was not necessarily a derogatory term implying savagery, but rather an onomatopoeic descriptor for anyone whose speech sounded like "bar-bar" – an unintelligible babble – to a Greek speaker. This reflected a lack of shared language, creating a barrier to communication. Within the early Christian community in Corinth, this cultural reality likely informed their understanding of the spiritual gift of tongues. Paul leverages this common experience to highlight that even within the church, if spiritual expressions are not understood, they create the same kind of linguistic and relational barrier, hindering fellowship and mutual edification.

* **Key Themes:** [1 Corinthians 14:11](/1_corinthians/14-11 "The Importance of Intelligibility") powerfully contributes to several major themes within the chapter and the broader epistle. First, it reinforces **The Primacy of Intelligibility and Understanding** in all communication, especially spiritual. Paul's core message is that a "voice" without "meaning" (or intelligibility) is utterly ineffective and fails to achieve its purpose of conveying truth or building up. Second, it directly serves the theme of **Edification of the Church**. Paul's overarching concern throughout [1 Corinthians 14](/1_corinthians/14 "Order in Worship") is that all spiritual gifts and expressions must contribute to the collective spiritual growth, strength, and instruction of the community, not merely for individual display or personal experience. If no one understands, no one is edified or built up, as he explicitly states in [1 Corinthians 14:26](/1_corinthians/14-26 "Everything for Edification"). Finally, the verse highlights the creation of a **Barrier to Fellowship and Unity**. The lack of shared understanding creates a significant divide, turning people into "barbarians" to each other, fostering alienation rather than the unity and mutual benefit that should characterize the body of Christ, as described in [1 Corinthians 12:12-27](/1_corinthians/12-12-27 "The Body of Christ").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **meaning (Greek, _dýnamis'_):** (G1411) From δύναμαι, meaning "force (literally or figuratively); specially, miraculous power (usually by implication, a miracle itself):--ability, abundance, meaning, might(-ily, -y, -y deed), (worker of) miracle(-s), power, strength, violence, mighty (wonderful) work." In this context, _dýnamis_ refers to the inherent power or ability of the voice to convey sense, purpose, or intelligibility. Without this "meaning" or "force," the utterance lacks efficacy and fails to communicate. It's not just about sound, but about the effective power of that sound to transmit information.
* **know (Greek, _eídō'_):** (G1492) A primary verb, properly meaning "to see (literally or figuratively); by implication, (in the perfect tense only) to know:--be aware, behold, X can (+ not tell), consider, (have) know(-ledge), look (on), perceive, see, be sure, tell, understand, wish, wot." Paul uses _eídō_ here to denote cognitive comprehension. The listener must "know" or "understand" the meaning of the spoken words for communication to occur. It emphasizes the intellectual engagement required for true understanding.
* **barbarian (Greek, _bárbaros'_):** (G915) Of uncertain derivation, meaning "a foreigner (i.e. non-Greek):--barbarian(-rous)." As discussed in the context, this term originally referred to anyone whose language was unintelligible to Greek speakers, not necessarily implying a savage or uncivilized person. Paul employs this term metaphorically to illustrate the complete breakdown of communication when one person's "voice" (language or message) is not understood by another, emphasizing the futility and alienation of such an interaction.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Therefore if I know not the meaning of the voice,"**: This opening clause establishes the premise of Paul's argument. The "voice" (Greek: _phōnḗ_, G5456) refers to any spoken utterance, particularly in the context of spiritual gifts like speaking in tongues or prophecy. The phrase "know not the meaning" (Greek: _eàn mḗ eídō tēn dýnamin_) highlights the absence of comprehension. If the listener cannot discern the inherent sense, purpose, or intelligible content (_dýnamis_) of what is being said, the communication process is immediately broken. This is a direct challenge to the uninterpreted use of tongues in the Corinthian church.
* **"I shall be unto him that speaketh a barbarian,"**: This clause describes the consequence for the hearer. If the listener (Paul, in this hypothetical scenario) does not understand the speaker's words, he becomes a "barbarian" (_bárbaros_, G915) to the speaker. This means he is perceived as, and effectively is, a foreigner, a non-speaker of the language, someone whose presence signifies a linguistic barrier. The communication is one-sided and ineffective, leading to a state of mutual unintelligibility.
* **"and he that speaketh [shall be] a barbarian unto me."**: This clause completes the reciprocal nature of the communication breakdown. Not only is the hearer a "barbarian" to the speaker, but the speaker also becomes a "barbarian" to the hearer. This emphasizes the complete alienation caused by unintelligible speech. There is no shared ground, no mutual understanding, and thus no edification or fellowship. Both parties, despite being in the same assembly, are effectively isolated by the linguistic barrier.

#### Literary Devices
Paul employs several potent **literary devices** in [1 Corinthians 14:11](/1_corinthians/14-11 "The Importance of Intelligibility") to underscore his point. The most prominent is **Analogy**, specifically a **Metaphor**, where he compares unintelligible spiritual speech to the experience of encountering a "barbarian." This metaphor draws on the common cultural experience of linguistic barriers in the diverse Roman world, making his point immediately relatable to the Corinthian believers. The term "barbarian" itself, though not strictly a literary device, functions as a powerful **Symbol** of alienation and incomprehension. Furthermore, Paul uses **Repetition** by stating "I shall be unto him that speaketh a barbarian, and he that speaketh [shall be] a barbarian unto me." This symmetrical repetition emphasizes the mutual and complete breakdown of communication, highlighting that the barrier is not just one-sided but affects both speaker and hearer equally, leading to a profound sense of isolation within the community. The verse also implies an **Antithesis** between speech that edifies (because it is understood) and speech that alienates (because it is not understood), reinforcing the central theme of edification in the chapter.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Paul's assertion in [1 Corinthians 14:11](/1_corinthians/14-11 "The Importance of Intelligibility") is foundational to a theology of communication within the church, emphasizing that divine truth, when communicated, must be comprehensible to its human recipients. This principle extends beyond spiritual gifts to all forms of teaching, preaching, and worship, underscoring that the ultimate goal is not merely expression, but effective transmission of meaning that leads to spiritual growth and unity. God, in His nature, is a communicator who desires to be understood, and He has given gifts to His church to facilitate this understanding for the common good. Therefore, any practice that obstructs clear understanding undermines the very purpose of the church's gathering: to build up, instruct, and unify the body of Christ in truth and love.

* [1 Corinthians 14:26](/1_corinthians/14-26 "Everything for Edification")
* [1 Corinthians 12:7](/1_corinthians/12-7 "Gifts for the Common Good")
* [Romans 10:14](/romans/10-14 "How Can They Hear Without a Preacher?")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
[1 Corinthians 14:11](/1_corinthians/14-11 "The Importance of Intelligibility") serves as a timeless reminder of the profound responsibility we bear in our communication, particularly within the Christian community. It challenges us to move beyond self-expression to intentional, empathetic communication that prioritizes the understanding and edification of the listener. In an age saturated with information and diverse communication styles, this verse calls us to clarity, humility, and a genuine desire for connection. Whether we are teaching, preaching, leading worship, or simply engaging in conversation, our aim should always be to build bridges of understanding, not walls of confusion. It compels us to consider: Am I speaking in a way that truly communicates, or am I, however unintentionally, becoming a "barbarian" to those I seek to reach? This principle applies not only to formal church settings but also to our daily interactions, urging us to speak with grace, truth, and intelligibility, fostering unity and mutual growth.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life or ministry might I be speaking in a way that is not fully understood by my audience?**
* **How can I intentionally seek to make my communication more clear and accessible to others, both inside and outside the church?**
* **What steps can I take to ensure that my spiritual expressions (e.g., prayer, sharing my faith, teaching) are truly edifying for those who hear them?**
* **How does prioritizing intelligibility in communication reflect the love Paul emphasizes in [1 Corinthians 13](/1_corinthians/13 "The Way of Love")?**

### FAQ
**Does "barbarian" in this verse imply that people speaking in tongues without interpretation are uncivilized?**

Answer: No, the term "barbarian" (Greek: _bárbaros_) in [1 Corinthians 14:11](/1_corinthians/14-11 "The Importance of Intelligibility") does not imply that people speaking in tongues without interpretation are uncivilized or savage. In Paul's time, especially in a cosmopolitan city like Corinth, "barbarian" was an onomatopoeic term used by Greeks to describe anyone who did not speak Greek. Their speech sounded like "bar-bar" – an unintelligible babble – to Greek ears. It simply signified someone speaking a foreign, incomprehensible language, creating a linguistic barrier. Paul uses this common cultural experience as a powerful metaphor to illustrate the complete breakdown of communication when a message, even a spiritually gifted one, is not understood by the listener. His point is about the futility of unintelligible speech in a communal setting, not about the character of the speaker.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
[1 Corinthians 14:11](/1_corinthians/14-11 "The Importance of Intelligibility"), with its emphasis on intelligible communication for edification, finds its ultimate fulfillment in Jesus Christ. He is the perfect "meaning of the voice" of God, the Word made flesh, through whom God has spoken most clearly and definitively to humanity. While humanity, in its fallen state, was like a "barbarian" to God, unable to comprehend His divine will and truth, Christ perfectly bridged this gap. As the [Logos of God](/john/1-1 "The Word Was God"), Jesus perfectly articulated the Father's heart, mind, and plan, making the invisible God visible and the inaudible God comprehensible. His life, teachings, death, and resurrection are the clearest, most powerful, and universally intelligible message from God to humanity, transcending all linguistic and cultural barriers. The Holy Spirit, given at Pentecost, further reverses the "barbarian" effect of Babel, enabling people from every nation to [hear the wonders of God](/acts/2-11 "Hearing the Wonders of God") in their own languages, a direct fulfillment of the desire for mutual understanding. Through Christ, and by His Spirit, God ensures that His voice is not a foreign babble but a clear, life-giving message that builds up His church and draws all people to Himself.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Acts 28:2

And the barbarous people shewed us no little kindness: for they kindled a fire, and received us every one, because of the present rain, and because of the cold.

1 Corinthians 14:21

¶ In the law it is written, With [men of] other tongues and other lips will I speak unto this people; and yet for all that will they not hear me, saith the Lord.

Acts 28:4

And when the barbarians saw the [venomous] beast hang on his hand, they said among themselves, No doubt this man is a murderer, whom, though he hath escaped the sea, yet vengeance suffereth not to live.

Romans 1:14

I am debtor both to the Greeks, and to the Barbarians; both to the wise, and to the unwise.

Colossians 3:11

Where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond [nor] free: but Christ [is] all, and in all.