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1 Corinthians 14

1 Cor. 14:2 KJV (With Strong’s)

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2
For
gar (Greek #1063)
properly, assigning a reason (used in argument, explanation or intensification; often with other particles)
KJV usage: and, as, because (that), but, even, for, indeed, no doubt, seeing, then, therefore, verily, what, why, yet.
Pronounce: gar
Origin: a primary particle
he that
ho (Greek #3588)
the definite article; the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in English idiom)
KJV usage: the, this, that, one, he, she, it, etc.
Pronounce: ho
Origin: ἡ (hay), and the neuter τό (to) in all their inflections
speaketh
laleo (Greek #2980)
to talk, i.e. utter words
KJV usage: preach, say, speak (after), talk, tell, utter. Compare 3004.
Pronounce: lal-eh'-o
Origin: a prolonged form of an otherwise obsolete verb
in an
glossa (Greek #1100)
the tongue; by implication, a language (specially, one naturally unacquired)
KJV usage: tongue.
Pronounce: gloce-sah'
Origin: of uncertain affinity
unknown tongue
glossa (Greek #1100)
the tongue; by implication, a language (specially, one naturally unacquired)
KJV usage: tongue.
Pronounce: gloce-sah'
Origin: of uncertain affinity
a speaketh
laleo (Greek #2980)
to talk, i.e. utter words
KJV usage: preach, say, speak (after), talk, tell, utter. Compare 3004.
Pronounce: lal-eh'-o
Origin: a prolonged form of an otherwise obsolete verb
not
ou (Greek #3756)
the absolute negative (compare 3361) adverb; no or not
KJV usage: + long, nay, neither, never, no (X man), none, (can-)not, + nothing, + special, un(-worthy), when, + without, + yet but. See also 3364, 3372.
Pronounce: oo
Origin: οὐκ (ook), and (before an aspirate) οὐχ (ookh) a primary word
unto men
anthropos (Greek #444)
man-faced, i.e. a human being
KJV usage: certain, man.
Pronounce: anth'-ro-pos
Origin: from 435 and ὤψ (the countenance; from 3700)
, but
alla (Greek #235)
properly, other things, i.e. (adverbially) contrariwise (in many relations)
KJV usage: and, but (even), howbeit, indeed, nay, nevertheless, no, notwithstanding, save, therefore, yea, yet.
Pronounce: al-lah'
Origin: neuter plural of 243
unto God
ho (Greek #3588)
the definite article; the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in English idiom)
KJV usage: the, this, that, one, he, she, it, etc.
Pronounce: ho
Origin: ἡ (hay), and the neuter τό (to) in all their inflections
theos (Greek #2316)
a deity, especially (with 3588) the supreme Divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very
KJV usage: X exceeding, God, god(-ly, -ward).
Pronounce: theh'-os
Origin: of uncertain affinity
: for
gar (Greek #1063)
properly, assigning a reason (used in argument, explanation or intensification; often with other particles)
KJV usage: and, as, because (that), but, even, for, indeed, no doubt, seeing, then, therefore, verily, what, why, yet.
Pronounce: gar
Origin: a primary particle
no
oudeis (Greek #3762)
not even one (man, woman or thing), i.e. none, nobody, nothing
KJV usage: any (man), aught, man, neither any (thing), never (man), no (man), none (+ of these things), not (any, at all, -thing), nought.
Pronounce: oo-dice'
Origin: οὐδεμία (oo-dem-ee'-ah), and neuter οὐδέν (oo-den') from 3761 and 1520
b man πunderstandeth
akouo (Greek #191)
to hear (in various senses)
KJV usage: give (in the) audience (of), come (to the ears), (shall) hear(-er, -ken), be noised, be reported, understand.
Pronounce: ak-oo'-o
Origin: a primary verb
him; howbeit
de (Greek #1161)
but, and, etc.
KJV usage: also, and, but, moreover, now (often unexpressed in English).
Pronounce: deh
Origin: a primary particle (adversative or continuative)
in the spirit
pneuma (Greek #4151)
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 principle, mental disposition, etc., or (superhuman) an angel, demon, or (divine) God, Christ's spirit, the Holy Spirit
KJV usage: ghost, life, spirit(-ual, -ually), mind. Compare 5590.
Pronounce: pnyoo'-mah
Origin: from 4154
he speaketh
laleo (Greek #2980)
to talk, i.e. utter words
KJV usage: preach, say, speak (after), talk, tell, utter. Compare 3004.
Pronounce: lal-eh'-o
Origin: a prolonged form of an otherwise obsolete verb
mysteries
musterion (Greek #3466)
a secret or "mystery" (through the idea of silence imposed by initiation into religious rites)
KJV usage: mystery.
Pronounce: moos-tay'-ree-on
Origin: from a derivative of μύω (to shut the mouth)
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a
Acts 10:46• 46For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God. Then answered Peter, (Acts 10:46)
b
Acts 22:9• 9And they that were with me saw indeed the light, and were afraid; but they heard not the voice of him that spake to me. (Acts 22:9)
π
heareth.

More on:

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God,
mystery,
Spirit,
Tongues

Cross References

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Ministry on This Verse

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he that.
1 Cor. 14:9‑11,16,21‑22• 9So likewise ye, except ye utter by the tongue words easy to be understood, how shall it be known what is spoken? for ye shall speak into the air.
 10There are, it may be, so many kinds of voices in the world, and none of them is without signification.
 11Therefore 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.
 16Else when thou shalt bless with the spirit, how shall he that occupieth the room of the unlearned say Amen at thy giving of thanks, seeing he understandeth not what thou sayest?
 21In 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.
 22Wherefore tongues are for a sign, not to them that believe, but to them that believe not: but prophesying serveth not for them that believe not, but for them which believe. (1 Cor. 14:9‑11,16,21‑22)
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Gen. 11:7• 7Go to, let us go down, and there confound their language, that they may not understand one another's speech. (Gen. 11:7)
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Gen. 42:23• 23And they knew not that Joseph understood them; for he spake unto them by an interpreter. (Gen. 42:23)
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Deut. 28:49• 49The Lord shall bring a nation against thee from far, from the end of the earth, as swift as the eagle flieth; a nation whose tongue thou shalt not understand; (Deut. 28:49)
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2 Kings 18:26• 26Then said Eliakim the son of Hilkiah, and Shebna, and Joah, unto Rabshakeh, Speak, I pray thee, to thy servants in the Syrian language; for we understand it: and talk not with us in the Jews' language in the ears of the people that are on the wall. (2 Kings 18:26)
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Acts 2:4‑11• 4And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.
 5And there were dwelling at Jerusalem Jews, devout men, out of every nation under heaven.
 6Now when this was noised abroad, the multitude came together, and were confounded, because that every man heard them speak in his own language.
 7And they were all amazed and marvelled, saying one to another, Behold, are not all these which speak Galileans?
 8And how hear we every man in our own tongue, wherein we were born?
 9Parthians, and Medes, and Elamites, and the dwellers in Mesopotamia, and in Judea, and Cappadocia, in Pontus, and Asia,
 10Phrygia, and Pamphylia, in Egypt, and in the parts of Libya about Cyrene, and strangers of Rome, Jews and proselytes,
 11Cretes and Arabians, we do hear them speak in our tongues the wonderful works of God. (Acts 2:4‑11)
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Acts 10:46• 46For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God. Then answered Peter, (Acts 10:46)
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Acts 19:6• 6And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied. (Acts 19:6)
understandeth.
Gr. heareth.
Acts 22:9• 9And they that were with me saw indeed the light, and were afraid; but they heard not the voice of him that spake to me. (Acts 22:9)
howbeit.
1 Cor. 2:7,10• 7But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory:
 10But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God. (1 Cor. 2:7,10)
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1 Cor. 13:2• 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 Cor. 13:2)
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1 Cor. 15:51• 51Behold, I show you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, (1 Cor. 15:51)
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Psa. 49:3‑4• 3My mouth shall speak of wisdom; and the meditation of my heart shall be of understanding.
 4I will incline mine ear to a parable: I will open my dark saying upon the harp. (Psa. 49:3‑4)
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Psa. 78:2• 2I will open my mouth in a parable: I will utter dark sayings of old: (Psa. 78:2)
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Matt. 13:11• 11He answered and said unto them, Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given. (Matt. 13:11)
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Mark 4:11• 11And he said unto them, Unto you it is given to know the mystery of the kingdom of God: but unto them that are without, all these things are done in parables: (Mark 4:11)
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Rom. 16:25• 25Now to him that is of power to stablish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began, (Rom. 16:25)
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Eph. 3:3‑9• 3How that by revelation he made known unto me the mystery; (as I wrote afore in few words,
 4Whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ)
 5Which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit;
 6That the Gentiles should be fellowheirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel:
 7Whereof I was made a minister, according to the gift of the grace of God given unto me by the effectual working of his power.
 8Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ;
 9And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ: (Eph. 3:3‑9)
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Eph. 6:19• 19And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel, (Eph. 6:19)
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Col. 1:26‑27• 26Even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints:
 27To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory: (Col. 1:26‑27)
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Col. 2:2• 2That their hearts might be comforted, being knit together in love, and unto all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the acknowledgement of the mystery of God, and of the Father, and of Christ; (Col. 2:2)
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1 Tim. 3:9,16• 9Holding the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience.
 16And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory. (1 Tim. 3:9,16)
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Rev. 10:7• 7But in the days of the voice of the seventh angel, when he shall begin to sound, the mystery of God should be finished, as he hath declared to his servants the prophets. (Rev. 10:7)
• “Unknown tongue” conveys the wrong thought, as those of another tongue could understand their own language. (“Help on Hard Verses” by A.C. Brown)
• No doubt those who spoke in a tongue argued that they stood for the rights of Christ, who was glorified in the gift, and that theirs was the divine side—they spoke to God. But the apostle boldly maintains that the lack of speaking to men demonstrates the inferiority of speaking in a tongue to prophesying. (“Notes on 1 Corinthians 14:1-12” by W. Kelly)

J. N. Darby Translation

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2
For he that speaks with a tongue does not speak to men but to God: for no one hears; but in spirit he speaks mysteries.

W. Kelly Translation

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2
For he that speaketh in a tonguea speaketh not to men but to God; for no one heareth; yet in spirit he speaketh mysteries.

WK Translation Notes

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a
The word "unknown" is an interpolation here and in verses 4, 13, 19, 27.