1 Corinthians 14:7

Even inanimate things--flutes or harps, for instance--when yielding a sound, if they make no distinction in the notes, how shall the tune which is played on the flute or the harp be known?

Weymouth NT (1912)

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

6But, brethren, as things are, if I come to you speaking in `tongues,' what benefit shall I confer on you, if the utterance is neither in the form of a revelation nor of additional knowledge nor of prophecy nor of teaching?

8If the bugle--to take another example--gives an uncertain sound, who will prepare for battle?

Read all of 1 Corinthians 14

Cross References

Matthew 11:17"`We have played the flute to you,' they say, `and you have not danced: we have sung dirges, and you have not beaten your breasts.'

1 Corinthians 13:1If I can speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but am destitute of Love, I have but become a loud-sounding trumpet or a clanging cymbal.

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

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