idiotes describes a person without needed learning or skill, especially someone unable to follow what is being said.

The term most often marks someone without the understanding needed to follow speech within an assembly, while other occurrences describe lack of skill in speaking or an unschooled status.

1. Person without understanding in an assembly · dominant

   In 1 Corinthians 14:16, the genitive singular occurs for the person who cannot say Amen because he does not know what is being said; the APB renders the clause as one who lacks the knowledge to respond. In 1 Corinthians 14:23 and 1 Corinthians 14:24, nominative forms occur for a person entering an assembly where tongues or prophecy are heard; the APB renders such an entrant alongside an unbeliever or outsider.

   1 Corinthians 14:161 Corinthians 14:231 Corinthians 14:24
2. Person lacking training or speaking skill · common

   In 2 Corinthians 11:6, the nominative singular is used in a contrast between being without skill in speech and not lacking knowledge; the APB renders the clause "I am unskilled in speech." In Acts 4:13, the nominative plural describes Peter and John as men perceived as unschooled, while their boldness prompts marvel.

   2 Corinthians 11:6Acts 4:13

In the Anselm Project Bible: The APB presents the term with wording such as "the unlearned," "unlearned person," "unskilled in speech," and "unschooled and unlearned men." These renderings show the verses' presentation rather than fixed English equivalents.