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Verse Takeaways
1
Clarity is Key for Edification
All commentators agree that the central principle of this verse is the necessity of clarity for communication to be effective. Paul uses the vivid image of 'speaking into the air' to describe speech that isn't understood. Scholars explain this is like talking to the wind—the words are wasted because they cannot edify, exhort, or comfort the hearers.
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Book Overview
1 Corinthians
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Commentaries
6
Albert Barnes
On 1 Corinthians 14:9
18th Century
Theologian
So likewise ye, etc. To apply the case: If you use a foreign language, how will it be known what is said, or of what use will it be, unles…
AT Robertson
On 1 Corinthians 14:9
Unless ye utter speech easy to be understood (εαν μη ευσημον λογον δωτε). Condition of third class again (εαν and aorist subjuncti…
Charles Ellicott
On 1 Corinthians 14:9
19th Century
Bishop
So likewise ye.—This is not the application of the preceding, but the introduction of a third illustration, namely, the varieties …
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Expositor's Bible Commentary
On 1 Corinthians 14:9
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 Gill
On 1 Corinthians 14:9
17th Century
Pastor
So likewise you, unless you utter by the tongue words easy to
be understood
This is a…
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…