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Selected Verse: 1 Corinthians 14:10 - King James

Verse	Translation	Text
1Co 14:10	King James	There are, it may be, so many kinds of voices in the world, and none of them is without signification.

Summary Of Commentaries Associated With The Selected Verse

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A Commentary, Critical, Practical, and Explanatory on the Old and New Testaments, by Robert Jamieson, A.R. Fausset and David Brown [1882]
it may be--that is, perhaps, speaking by conjecture. "It may chance" (Co1 15:37). so many--as may be enumerated by investigators of such matters. Compare "so much," used generally for a definite number left undefined (Act 5:8; also Sa2 12:8). kinds of voices--kinds of articulate speech. without signification--without articulate voice (that is, distinct meaning). None is without its own voice, or mode of speech, distinct from the rest.

A Commentary, Critical, Practical, and Explanatory on the Old and New Testaments, by Robert Jamieson, A.R. Fausset and David Brown [1882]

it may be--that is, perhaps, speaking by conjecture. "It may chance" (Co1 15:37).

so many--as may be enumerated by investigators of such matters. Compare "so much," used generally for a definite number left undefined (Act 5:8; also Sa2 12:8).

kinds of voices--kinds of articulate speech.

without signification--without articulate voice (that is, distinct meaning). None is without its own voice, or mode of speech, distinct from the rest.

Notes on the Bible, by Albert Barnes, [1834]
There are it may be ... - There has been considerable variety in the interpertation of this expression. Rosenmuller renders it, "for the sake of example." Grotius supposes that Paul meant to indicate that there were, perhaps, or might be, as many languages as the Jews supposed, to wit, seventy. Beza and others suppose it means, that there may he as many languages as there are nations of people. Bloomfield renders it, "Let there he as many kinds of languages as you choose." Macknight, "There are, no doubt, as many kinds of languages in the world as ye speak." Robinson (Lexicon) renders it, "If so happen, it may be; perchance, perhaps;" and says the phrase is equivalent to "for example," The sense is, "There are perhaps, or for example, very many kinds of voices in the world; and all are significant. None are used by those who speak them without meaning; none speak them without designing to convey some intelligible idea to their hearers." The "argument" is, that as "all" the languages that are in the world, however numerous they are, are for "utility," and as none are used for the sake of mere display, so it should be with those who had the power of speaking them in the Christian church. They should speak them only when and where they would be understood. Voices - Languages.

Notes on the Bible, by Albert Barnes, [1834]

There are it may be ... - There has been considerable variety in the interpertation of this expression. Rosenmuller renders it, "for the sake of example." Grotius supposes that Paul meant to indicate that there were, perhaps, or might be, as many languages as the Jews supposed, to wit, seventy. Beza and others suppose it means, that there may he as many languages as there are nations of people. Bloomfield renders it, "Let there he as many kinds of languages as you choose." Macknight, "There are, no doubt, as many kinds of languages in the world as ye speak." Robinson (Lexicon) renders it, "If so happen, it may be; perchance, perhaps;" and says the phrase is equivalent to "for example," The sense is, "There are perhaps, or for example, very many kinds of voices in the world; and all are significant. None are used by those who speak them without meaning; none speak them without designing to convey some intelligible idea to their hearers." The "argument" is, that as "all" the languages that are in the world, however numerous they are, are for "utility," and as none are used for the sake of mere display, so it should be with those who had the power of speaking them in the Christian church. They should speak them only when and where they would be understood.

Voices - Languages.

Vincent's Word Studies, by Marvin R. Vincent [1886]
Voices - without signification (φωνῶν - ἄφωνων) The translation loses the word-play. So many kinds of voices, and no kind is voiceless. By voices are meant languages.

Vincent's Word Studies, by Marvin R. Vincent [1886]

Voices - without signification (φωνῶν - ἄφωνων)

The translation loses the word-play. So many kinds of voices, and no kind is voiceless. By voices are meant languages.

Adam Clarke Commentary on the Whole Bible - Published 1810-1826
There are, it may be - Ει τυχοι, For example. So many kinds of voices - So many different languages, each of which has its distinct articulation, pronunciation, emphasis, and meaning; or there may be so many different nations, each possessing a different language, etc.

Adam Clarke Commentary on the Whole Bible - Published 1810-1826

There are, it may be - Ει τυχοι, For example.

So many kinds of voices - So many different languages, each of which has its distinct articulation, pronunciation, emphasis, and meaning; or there may be so many different nations, each possessing a different language, etc.

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