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1 Corinthians 14:11
ESV but if I do not know the meaning of the language, I will be a foreigner to the speaker and the speaker a foreigner to me.
NIV If then I do not grasp the meaning of what someone is saying, I am a foreigner to the speaker, and the speaker is a foreigner to me.
NASB So if I do not know the meaning of the language, I will be unintelligible to the one who speaks, and the one who speaks will be unintelligible to me.
CSB Therefore, if I do not know the meaning of the language, I will be a foreigner to the speaker, and the speaker will be a foreigner to me.
NLT But if I don’t understand a language, I will be a foreigner to someone who speaks it, and the one who speaks it will be a foreigner to me.
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.

What does 1 Corinthians 14:11 mean?

The previous verse indicated that the world is full of languages, and each language is meaningful to those who understand it. Now Paul completes the thought: None of those languages is meaningful to those who do not understand them.

The result of hearing others speaking in a language we do not know is that we become like foreigners in their presence. If they don't know our language, the experience is mutual. People who cannot be understood by each other obviously cannot communicate with each other. Anyone who has ever spent time in a country or culture where they could not understand the language of the locals will agree that this is true. The experience is isolating.

This is exactly the opposite of the experience believers should have when they come together for church or worship services. Christians are brothers and sisters. God intends for us to be unified, not separated by speaking unknown languages to each other without interpretation.
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