1 Corinthians 14:10

10. it may be--that is, perhaps, speaking by conjecture. "It may chance" (1Co 15:37). so many--as may be enumerated by investigators of such matters. Compare "so much," used generally for a definite number left undefined (Ac 5:8; also 2Sa 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.

Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown, 1871 · public domain

Verse 10. There are, it may be, etc. There has been considerable variety in the interpretation 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 be as many languages as there are nations of men. Bloomfield renders it, "Let there be 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 (Lex.) 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.

(*) "voices" "Languages"

Albert Barnes, 1834 · public domain

Verse 10 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, 1831 · public domain