1 Corinthians 14:7

Even things without life, giving a voice, whether pipe or harp, if they didn’t give a distinction in the sounds, how would it be known what is piped or harped?

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Other translations

WEBBE

Even lifeless things that make a sound, whether pipe or harp, if they didn’t give a distinction in the sounds, how would it be known what is piped or harped?

BSB

Even in the case of lifeless instruments, such as the flute or harp, how will anyone recognize the tune they are playing unless the notes are distinct?

KJV

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?

ASV

Even things without life, giving a voice, whether pipe or harp, if they give not a distinction in the sounds, how shall it be known what is piped or harped?

BBE

Even things without life, having a voice, such as a music-pipe or other instrument, if they do not give out different sounds, who may be certain what is being played?

Original Greek

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ὅμως homōs Even G3676 τὰ ta (the) G3588 ἄψυχα apsucha lifeless things G895 φωνὴν phōnēn a sound G5456 διδόντα didonta giving G1325 εἴτε eite whether G1535 αὐλὸς aulos flute G836 εἴτε eite or G1535 κιθάρα kithara harp G2788 ἐὰν ean if G1437 διαστολὴν diastolēn distinction G1293 τοῖς tois to the G3588 φθόγγοις phthongois sounds G5353 μὴ mē not G3361 δῷ dō they shall give G1325 πῶς pōs how G4459 γνωσθήσεται gnōsthēsetai will it be known G1097 τὸ to what G3588 αὐλούμενον auloumenon is being piped G832 ἢ ē or G2228 τὸ to what G3588 κιθαριζόμενον; kitharizomenon is being harped G2789

The early church

"Even things without life, giving a voice, whether pipe or harp, if they give not a distinction in the sounds, how shall it be known what is piped?" "And why do I say," saith he, "that in our case this is unprofitable, and that only useful which is dear and easy to be apprehended by the hearers? Since even in musical instruments without life one may see this: for whether it be pipe or harp, yet if it be struck or blown confusedly and unskilfully, without proper cadence or harmony, it will captivate none of the hearers. For even in these inarticulate sounds there is need of some distinctness: and if thou strike not or breathe into the pipe according to art, thou hast done nothing. Now if from things without life we require so much distinctness, and harmony, and appropriateness, and into those inarticulate sounds we strive and contend to infuse so much meaning, much more in men indued with life and reason, and in spiritual gifts, ought one to make significancy an object.
John Chrysostom · d. 407Homilies on 1 Corinthians

Commentary

Matthew Henry · Verses 6–14

Even an apostle could not edify, unless he spoke so as to be understood by his hearers. To speak words that have no meaning to those who hear them, is but speaking into the air. That cannot answer the end of speaking, which has no meaning; in this case, speaker and hearers are barbarians to each other. All religious services should be so performed in Christian assemblies, that all may join in, and profit by them. Language plain and easy to be understood, is the most proper for public worship, and other religious exercises. Every true follower of Christ will rather desire to do good to others, than to get a name for learning or fine speaking.

Read Matthew Henry on 1 Corinthians 14 →

Cross-references

5

Topics

Harp

Cross-references: Treasury of Scripture Knowledge. Hebrew and Greek data from STEPBible.org (Tyndale House, Cambridge), CC BY 4.0. Library: sources.