1 Corinthians 14:7
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?
1 Corinthians 14:7 in other translations
| 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? |
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| WEB | 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? |
| 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? |
| YLT | yet the things without life giving sound--whether pipe or harp--if a difference in the sounds they may not give, how shall be known that which is piped or that which is harped? |
| DARBY | Even lifeless things giving a sound, whether pipe or harp, if they give not distinction to 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? |
| Webster | 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? |
What does 1 Corinthians 14:7 mean?
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown, 1871 · public domain
Barnes' Notes
Whether pipe. This instrument (αυλος) was usually made of reeds, and probably had a resemblance to a flageolet.
Or harp. This instrument (κιθαρα) was a stringed instrument, and was made in the same way as a modern harp. It usually had ten strings, and was struck with the plectrum, or with a key. It was commonly employed in praise.
Except they give a distinction in the sounds. Unless they give a difference in the tones, such as are indicated in the gamut for music.
How shall it be known, etc. That is, there would be no time, no music. Nothing would be indicated by it. It would not be fitted to excite the emotions of sorrow or of joy. All music is designed to excite emotions; but if there be no difference in the tones, no emotion would be produced. So it would be in words uttered. Unless there was something that was fitted to excite thought or emotion; unless what was spoken was made intelligible, no matter how important in itself it might be, yet it would be useless.
(1) "sounds" "tunes"
Albert Barnes, 1834 · public domain
Adam Clarke's Commentary
Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain
Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on 1 Corinthians 14:6-14
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…
1 Corinthians 14:7 in the original Greek
Word-by-word with transliteration, English gloss and Strong's number. Tap a number for the full definition and every place the word is used.
Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).
Cross references for 1 Corinthians 14:7
- 1 Corinthians 13:1
Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal.
- 1 Corinthians 14:8
For if the trumpet give an uncertain sound, who shall prepare himself to the battle?
- Numbers 10:2-10
Make thee two trumpets of silver; of a whole piece shalt thou make them: that thou mayest use them for the calling of the assembly, and for the journeying of the camps. And when they shall blow with them, all the assembly shall assemble themselves to thee at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation. And if they blow but with one trumpet, then the princes, which are heads of the thousands of Israel, shall gather themselves unto thee. When ye blow an alarm, then the camps that lie on the east parts shall go forward. …
- Matthew 11:17
And saying, We have piped unto you, and ye have not danced; we have mourned unto you, and ye have not lamented.
- Luke 7:32
They are like unto children sitting in the marketplace, and calling one to another, and saying, We have piped unto you, and ye have not danced; we have mourned to you, and ye have not wept.
Ranked by reader votes · OpenBible.info cross references (CC BY).
Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
13:1
except.
8; Nu 10:2-10; Mt 11:17; Lu 7:32
sounds. or, tunes.
Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (Samuel Bagster, c. 1836) · public domain
Context
- 1 Corinthians 14:6
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?
- 1 Corinthians 14:7
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?
- 1 Corinthians 14:8
For if the trumpet give an uncertain sound, who shall prepare himself to the battle?
1 Corinthians 14:7 in other languages
| Spanish Reina-Valera 1909 | Ciertamente las cosas inanimadas que hacen sonidos, como la flauta ó la vihuela, si no dieren distinción de voces, ¿cómo se sabrá lo que se tañe con la flauta, ó con la vihuela? |
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| French Bible J.N. Darby 1885 | De même les choses inanimées qui rendent un son, soit une flûte, soit une harpe, si elles ne rendent pas des sons distincts, comment connaîtra-t-on ce qui est joué sur la flûte ou sur la harpe? |
| German Elberfelder 1871 | Doch auch die leblosen Dinge, die einen Ton von sich geben, es sei Pfeife oder Harfe, wenn sie den Tönen keinen Unterschied geben, wie wird man erkennen, was gepfiffen oder geharft wird? |
| Latin Clementine Vulgate | Tamen quæ sine anima sunt vocem dantia, sive tibia, sive cithara; nisi distinctionem sonituum dederint, quomodo scietur id quod canitur, aut quod citharizatur? |