1 CORINTHIANS 14:7 — KING JAMES VERSION 0
“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?”
Even inanimate things like pipes or harps must emit distinct notes or no one will recognize the tune — everyday instruments illustrate the principle: communication requires distinguishability. If a flute player cannot produce clear tones, the music is lost. The analogy shifts focus from the speaker's experience to the listener's comprehension.
Church Fathers on 1 Corinthians 14:7
[3] “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,” says he, that in our case this is unprofitable, and that only useful which is clear 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…
Nicene & Post-Nicene / Ante-Nicene Fathers translations · public domain
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