| 2. Linguistic Exegesis The sentence begins with ho gar lalōn {ὁ γὰρ λαλῶν | ho gàr lalōn}, where the article ho substantivizes the action and gàr signals explanation. The participle lalōn frames a generic subject “the one who speaks.” The dative glōssē {γλώσσῃ | glṓssē} functions as a dative of manner, indicating the speech’s mode. In the clause ouk anthrōpois lalei alla theō {οὐκ ἀνθρώποις λαλεῖ ἀλλὰ θεῷ}, ouk negates the indirect object anthrōpois and alla contrasts it with theō, creating an adversative parallel. The clause oudeis gar akouei {οὐδεὶς γὰρ ἀκούει | oudeîs gàr akoúei} introduces an indefinite subject with akouei conveying understanding. By fronting pneumati de lalei mystēria {πνεύματι δὲ λαλεῖ μυστήρια | pneúmati dè laleî mystḗria}, the dative emphasizes instrumentality or realm “in spirit,” and mystēria serves as the direct object denoting hidden content. The particles gàr and dè are preserved as “for” and “but” to reflect explanatory and contrastive relations. |