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Verse Takeaways
1
Clarity is Essential
Commentators explain that Paul uses a simple, universal illustration: musical instruments. For a pipe or harp to produce music instead of just noise, the sounds must be distinct and recognizable. In the same way, for speech in worship to be beneficial, it must be clear and understandable to the listeners.
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Book Overview
1 Corinthians
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Commentaries
7
Albert Barnes
On 1 Corinthians 14:7
18th Century
Theologian
Things without life. Instruments of music.
Whether pipe. This instrument (aulov) was usually made of reeds and pr…
AT Robertson
On 1 Corinthians 14:7
Things without life (αψυχα). Without a soul (α privative, ψυχη) or life. Old word only here in N.T.
Pipe (…
Charles Ellicott
On 1 Corinthians 14:7
19th Century
Bishop
And even things without life.—The pipe and harp were the best-known instruments, and the principle just established—that sounds ar…
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Expositor's Bible Commentary
On 1 Corinthians 14:7
Paul now gives some vivid illustrations. The flute and the harp were wellknown and valued musical instruments in Greece, and the Jews would be acqu…
John Calvin
On 1 Corinthians 14:7
16th Century
Theologian
Indeed, even things without life. He presents analogies, first from musical instruments, and then from the nature of things in general, si…
John Gill
On 1 Corinthians 14:7
17th Century
Pastor
And even things without life giving sound
He instances in things inanimate, that have neither reason, sense, nor lif…
Matthew Henry
On 1 Corinthians 14:6–14
17th Century
Minister
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 i…