1 Corinthians 14:7

For even inanimate things that emit sound, whether pipe or harp, if they make no distinction between one sound and another, how will it be known, what is sung or what is harped?

James Murdock's Translation of the Syriac Peshitta

In The King James Version

And even things without life giving sound, whether pipe or harp, except they give a distinction in the sounds, how shall it be known what is piped or harped?

In Context

6And now, my brethren, if I should come among you, and speak to you in tongues, what should I profit you; unless I should speak to you either by revelation, or by knowledge, or by prophecy, or by doctrine?

8And if the trumpet shall give an uncertain sound, who will prepare himself for the battle?

Read all of 1 Corinthians 14

Cross References

Matthew 11:17and say: We have sung to you, and ye did not dance: we have wailed to you, and ye did not lament.

1 Corinthians 13:1If I could speak in every tongue of men, and in that of angels, and there should be no love in me, I should be like brass that resoundeth, or the cymbal that maketh a noise.

Matthew Henry on 1 Corinthians 14:7-15

On Spiritual Gifts. ( a. d. 57.) 6 Now, brethren, if I come unto you speaking with tongues, what shall I profit you, except I shall speak to you either by revelation, or by knowledge, or by prophesying, or by doctrine? 7 And even things without life giving sound, whether pipe or harp, except they give a distinction in the sounds, how shall it be known what is piped or harped? 8 For if the trumpet give an uncertain sound, who shall prepare himself to the battle? 9 So likewise ye, except ye utter by the tongue words… Read the whole commentary →

This Verse In Other Editions

Study 1 Corinthians 14:7