But if there be no interpreter, let him keep silence in the church; and let him speak to himself, and to God.

But if there be no interpreter, let him hold his peace in the church, and speak to himself and to God.

and if there may be no interpreter, let him be silent in an assembly, and to himself let him speak, and to God.

or if there is no interpreter, let the man with the gift be silent in the Church, speaking to himself and to God.

But if there is no one to give the sense, let him keep quiet in the church; and let his words be to himself and to God.

But if there is no interpreter, let him keep silent in the church, and let him speak to himself, and to God.

But if there is no one to interpret, he should remain silent in the church, then he may speak when he is alone with God.

If there is no one able to interpret what is said, they should remain silent at the meeting of the church, and speak to themselves and to God.

Let him speak to himself and to God "Let him enjoy," says he, "his gift in his own conscience, and let him give thanks to God." For in this way I explain the expression to speak to himself and to God, as meaning -- to recognize in his own mind with thanksgiving the favor conferred upon him, [1] and to enjoy it as his own, when there is not an opportunity for bringing it forward in a public manner. For he draws a contrast between this secret way of speaking, and speaking publicly in the Church -- which he forbids. [2]

Footnotes

1 - "Le benefice et don de Dieu;" -- "The kindness and gift of God."

2 - "En ce cas;" -- "In this case."

But if there be no interpreter - If there be no one present who has the gift of interpretation.
And let him speak to himself and to God - See the note at 1-Corinthians 14:2, note at 1-Corinthians 14:4. Let him commune with himself, and with God; let him meditate on the truths which are revealed to him, and let him in secret express his desires to God.

But if there be no interpreter - If there be none present who can give the proper sense of this Hebrew reading and speaking, then let him keep silence, and not occupy the time of the Church, by speaking in a language which only himself can understand.

But if there be no interpreter,.... None that has the gift of interpretation of divers tongues, and he that speaks with them has not that, which was sometimes the case:
let him keep silence in the church; let him not make use of his gift publicly before the whole congregation, since without an interpreter it will be entirely useless:
and let him speak to himself, and to God; he may make use of his gift to his own edification, and to the glory of God, by speaking with a low voice, or in his heart, which he himself may be conscious of, and God the searcher of hearts, and that knows all languages, fully understands; and so may be edified himself, and God may be glorified by him; whereas, if he was to use it openly and publicly, it would not only be unprofitable, but an hinderance to others: or he might retire to his own house, and there exercise it by himself, and in the presence of God, when it might be of some use and advantage to himself, but would be highly improper to bring it into the church, or public congregation; for instead of assisting, it would but dampen their devotion, and therefore it was very reasonable he should be silent there.

let him--the speaker in unknown tongues.
speak to himself, and to God--(compare 1-Corinthians 14:2, 1-Corinthians 14:4) --privately and not in the hearing of others.

Let him speak - That tongue, if he find it profitable to himself in his private devotions.