Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of 1 Corinthians 14:9
So likewise ye, except ye utter by the tongue words easy to be understood, how shall it be known what is spoken? for ye shall speak into the air.
9. words easy to be understood ] Literally, a well marked discourse, language which has a clearly discernible meaning.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
So likewise ye … – To apply the case. If you use a foreign language, how shall it be known what is said, or of what use will it be, unless it is made intelligible by interpretation?
Utter by the tongue – Unless you speak.
Words easy to be understood – Significant words (margin), words to which your auditors are accustomed.
For ye shall speak into the air – You will not speak so as to be understood; and it will be just the same as if no one was present, and you spoke to the air. We have a proverb that resembles this: You may as well speak to the winds: that is, you speak where it would not be understood, or where the words would have no effect. It may he observed here, that the practice of the papists accords with what the apostle here condemns, where worship is conducted in a language not understood by the people; and that there is much of this same kind of speaking now, where unintelligible terms are used, or words are employed that are above the comprehension of the people; or where doctrines are discussed which are unintelligible, and which are regarded by them without interest. All preaching should be plain, simple, perspicuous, and adapted to the capacity of the hearers.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
Verse 9. Likewise ye] If ye do not speak in the Church so as to be understood, your labour is useless; ye shall speak into the air-your speech will be lost and dissipated in the air, without conveying any meaning to any person: there will be a noise or sound, but nothing else. Gifts of that kind, thus used, are good for nothing.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
By is meant words which signify well to those that hear them; for words may be significant enough in themselves, yet nothing at all significant to them that hear them, being unlearned; such sounds of words can contribute nothing to peoples knowledge, but are so much lost labour. This is a text that deserveth the thoughts of those who affect in preaching, if not the use of languages, yet the use of a style, or method, which not one of many of those who hear them understand. It is all one to speak in an unknown tongue, as in a style or method that people do not understand; and truly, such are the generality of ministers hearers, that words most significant in themselves, and to learned ears, are least significant to them, being hardest to be understood; so as they know nothing of what they say, and the minister doth but, as to the far greater number of people, beat the air (which is a dreadful meditation).
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
9. So . . . yewho have life;as opposed to “things without life” (1Co14:7).
by the tonguethelanguage which ye speak in.
ye shall speakYe willbe speaking into the air, that is, in vain (1Co9:26).
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
So likewise you, unless ye utter by the tongue words easy to be understood,…. This is an accommodation of the foregoing similes to the case in hand: for as unless there is a distinction of notes and tunes, it cannot be music, nor it cannot be known what is piped or harped; and unless the trumpet gives a certain sound, none can know when to prepare himself for the battle; so unless in the public ministry and service a language is spoken, and words made use of, which are understood without difficulty:
how shall it be known what is spoken? the subject matter of the discourse, prayer, or psalm, will be all lost, and therefore cannot be for edification, exhortation, or comfort:
for ye shall speak into the air; into which such words are resolved, and the use and benefit of them, as to others, cease with the breath, by which they are delivered: any part of divine service performed in such a way is all in vain, and to no purpose; it is all lost labour, it is beating the air, and talking to the wind. This condemns the practice of the Papists, performing divine service in a language not understood by the common people; and exposes the folly of those, who are fond of a florid style, of bombast words, great swelling words of vanity in their public discourses: this is only speaking into the air, with regard to the vulgar, whose edification should be consulted: and as the end of the Gospel ministry is public usefulness and edification, plainness of speech, words easy to be understood, should be used; such as are apt and fit to convey the true idea of things to people in common; these are the acceptable words, which the wise preacher, who is desirous of doing good to the souls of men, will seek out, and studiously make use of.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
Unless ye utter speech easy to be understood ( ). Condition of third class again ( and aorist subjunctive). (, well, , sign) is old word, here only in N.T., well-marked, distinct, clear. Good enunciation, a hint for speakers.
Ye will be speaking into the air ( ). Periphrastic future indicative (linear action). Cf. (beating the air) in 9:26. Cf. our talking to the wind. This was before the days of radio.
Fuente: Robertson’s Word Pictures in the New Testament
1) “So likewise ye,” (houtos kai humeis) “So also ye,” or “it is likewise important in your case,” the tongues proposition. A clear signification, a clear understanding must be conveyed to and understood by the hearer if members of the church are to profit.
2) “Except ye utter by the tongue words easy to be understood – (dia tes glosses ean me eusemon logon dote) “if you all give not through the tongue or language a clear or understandable word or expression.”
3) “How shall it be known what is spoke ?” (pos gnosthesetai to laloumenon) “How will the thing being said be known?” Except the language (tongue) of the speaker is understood by the ear of the hearer, it is like Shakespeare’s “tale told by an idiot, full of sound and fury, signifying nothing.”
4) “For ye shall speak into the air.” (esesthe gar eis aera lalountes) “For you all will be speaking into the air.” This is a proverbial expression like “talking to the wind,” or “talking through your hat,” a senseless exertion of unachieving energy.
Fuente: Garner-Howes Baptist Commentary
(9) So likewise ye.This is not the application of the foregoing, but the introduction of a third illustration, viz., the varieties of human language. The tongue here is simply the actual organ of speech, distinguished in the Greek, by the insertion of the article, from tongues which flow from the spiritual gift. If a human being does not use words that those spoken to understand, it is useless; such words pass as sounds into the air and are useless.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
9. Words easy to be understood The unexplained tongue is like the uncertain trumpet; it communicates no idea, and leaves the hearer no wiser than it found him.
Speak into the air Just as the unaiming athlete beateth the air. If your speech be a nothing, your proper hearer is empty space.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
‘So also you, unless you utter by the tongue speech easy to understood, how shall it be known what is spoken? for you will be speaking into the air.’
The same is true of speaking to the church. Unless members speak in easily understandable speech, how will others know what they are saying? How will they know what to do? Their words will vanish into thin air, which will absorb them unheard (because not understood). Only the fresh air will hear them, just as the uncertain notes of the trumpet disappear into the air ‘unheard’.
However, it must be seen as possible that by ‘you will be speaking into the air’ Paul wishes them to have in mind ‘the air’ in which spirits were seen to exist. Eph 2:2 speaks of ‘the prince of the power (‘power’ there was the equivalent of ‘kingdom’ – compare ‘power of darkness’ (Col 1:13)) of the air’. In this case he would be reminding them of his words in 1Co 12:1-3. (This may have been more obvious to them than to us if ‘the air’ was generally recognised as a sphere of spirits). He may be saying that publicly spoken tongues are only of interest to the spirit world, and without love may well be an indication of the interest of false spirits. However, few commentators see it that way. If it does have that in mind the thought is not expanded on.
Fuente: Commentary Series on the Bible by Peter Pett
1Co 14:9 . Inference from 1Co 14:7 f.: accordingly, if you also , et.
] for it was by means of the tongue that his readers brought forth so much unintelligible matter through their glossolalia. The speaking unintelligibly correspond to those instruments in 1Co 14:7-8 ; hence . . is put immediately after , and before (comp. 1Co 6:4 ).
] an easily distinguishable discourse , the meaning of which comes plainly out by clear and distinct words and connection. Comp. Soph. Ant. 1008; Polyb. x. 44. 3; Men. ap. Athen. xiii. p. 571 E.
. . .] expressing the unsuitable relation of state , hence not the mere future (comp. Khner, II. p. 40): for ye shall be people, who , et.
] palpably illustrates the uselessness (what does not remain with the hearer). Comp. 1Co 9:26 ; Lucretius, iv. 929; Pflugk, ad Eur. Hec. 334. Philo: , to speak to the wind , and .
Fuente: Heinrich August Wilhelm Meyer’s New Testament Commentary
9 So likewise ye, except ye utter by the tongue words easy to be understood, how shall it be known what is spoken? for ye shall speak into the air.
Ver. 9. Ye shall speak into the air ] You shall lose your labour, and may as well keep your breath to cool your broth.
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
9. ] Application of these instances .
. is most naturally understood physically , by means of your tongue, as answering to the utterance of the sound by the musical instruments. But the technical rendering, by means of the tongue (in the sense of ), is allowable.
.] This periphrasis of the future implies, ye will be , so long as ye speak, speaking , On , see ref.: it implies the non-reception by hearers of what is said.
Fuente: Henry Alford’s Greek Testament
1Co 14:9 enforces the twofold illustration of 1Co 14:7 f.: “So also in your case ( ), if through the tongue you do not give a word of clear signification ( ), how will that which is spoken be discerned?” – (from and , a sign ) implies a meaning in the word, and a meaning good to make out ; cf. Sophocles, Antig ., 1004, 1021. . . .; is an echo from 1Co 14:7 ; and “the tongue” ( : cf. 1Co 3:5 , 1Co 6:4 , 1Co 7:17 ), as the means of living speech, is thrust before the in emphatic contrast to “the lifeless” pipe, etc. P. does not therefore refer in this sentence (as Est., Gd [2055] , Ed [2056] would have it) to the supernatural Tongue (elsewhere, moreover, expressed by the anarthrous : otherwise here), for it is precisely his objection to this charism that it gives an instead of a (1Co 14:16 ; 1Co 14:19 ; 1Co 14:23 ); he means to say: “As inanimate instruments by due modulation, and by the fixed meaning attached to their notes, become expressive, so it is in a higher degree with the human tongue; its vocables convey a meaning just in so far as they are ordered, articulate, and conformed to usage”. Now this is what the Cor [2057] Glossolalia was not : “for you will be (otherwise) speaking into the air” the issue of uninterpreted Tongue-speaking ( cf. 1Co 14:2 ; 1Co 14:17 , etc.). , a proverbial expression ( cf. 1Co 9:26 ) for ineffectual speech, like our “talking to the wind”; in Philo, .
[2055] F. Godet’s Commentaire sur la prem. p. aux Corinthiens (Eng. Trans.).
[2056] T. C. Edwards’ Commentary on the First Ep. to the Corinthians . 2
[2057] Corinth, Corinthian or Corinthians.
Fuente: The Expositors Greek Testament by Robertson
So likewise ye = So ye also.
utter = give.
words. App-121.
easy to be understood = intelligible. Greek. eusemos. Only here.
into. App-104.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
9.] Application of these instances.
. is most naturally understood physically, by means of your tongue, as answering to the utterance of the sound by the musical instruments. But the technical rendering, by means of the tongue (in the sense of ), is allowable.
.] This periphrasis of the future implies, ye will be, so long as ye speak, speaking, On , see ref.: it implies the non-reception by hearers of what is said.
Fuente: The Greek Testament
1Co 14:9. , you) who have life [opp. to things without life]; comp. 1Co 14:7.-, by) i.e. then, when you speak in an unknown tongue.
Fuente: Gnomon of the New Testament
1Co 14:9
1Co 14:9
So also ye, unless ye utter by the tongue speech easy to be understood, how shall it be known what is spoken? for ye will be speaking into the air.-So also unless the teachers spoke in words easy to be understood, the hearers cannot know what is said, such will be speaking into the air [without conveying any meaning to any person. There will be noise, but nothing else. Gifts of that kind, used without interpretation, are good for nothing. It may well be observed that there is much of this same kind of speaking now, where unintelligible terms are used, or words are employed that are above the comprehension of the people. All preaching should be plain, simple, and adapted to the capacity of the hearers.]
Fuente: Old and New Testaments Restoration Commentary
easy: Gr. significant, 1Co 14:19
for: 1Co 9:26
Reciprocal: Est 8:9 – and according 1Co 14:2 – he that
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
1Co 14:9. Paul makes the application of his illustration in this verse. He means for them to make such a use of their gift of tongues as will contribute beneficial information to the hearers.
Fuente: Combined Bible Commentary
1Co 14:9. So also ye, unless ye utter by the tongue speech easy to be understood, how shall it be known what is spoken? for ye will be speaking into the airspeaking to no one (as beating the air, 1Co 9:26, means hitting no one).
Fuente: A Popular Commentary on the New Testament
Vv. 9. So likewise ye, except ye utter by the tongue distinct speech, how shall it be known what is spoken, for ye shall speak into the air?
Those who, like Hofmann, already find in 1Co 14:9 an example taken from human language, may punctuate after , in the sense of: so ye also. As inanimate instruments must give forth distinct sounds if their music is to be understood, so ye also. As men, you ought to speak distinctly, if you wish to be understood by your fellows. The words , by means of the tongue, may be understood in this case either of the material organ, or of the faculty of language (Hofmann). But if this were the apostle’s meaning, he would not say: Likewise ye also. For the general truth thus expressed would apply no more to the Corinthians than to other men. Paul would be emphasizing more precisely the contrast between inanimate beings and man, as such. We must therefore regard the passage as the application which Paul makes of the foregoing examples to the Corinthians: And you also, Corinthians, if in your glossolalia you do not speak a distinct language, it will be like an unintelligible voice lost in the air. The expression: by the tongue, should be taken, as is natural, in the same sense as throughout the chapter: speaking in an ecstatic tongue. The means of rendering this language distinct is interpretation. The apostle confirms this conclusion in 1Co 14:10-11, by appealing to the intelligible character of all the languages in use among men.
Fuente: Godet Commentary (Luke, John, Romans and 1 Corinthians)
So also ye, unless ye utter by the tongue speech easy to be understood, how shall it be known what is spoken? for ye will be speaking into the air.
Fuente: McGarvey and Pendleton Commentaries (New Testament)
14:9 So likewise ye, except ye utter by the tongue words {f} easy to be understood, how shall it be known what is spoken? for ye shall speak into the air.
(f) That fitly utter the matter itself.
Fuente: Geneva Bible Notes
Incomprehensible speech may be personally satisfying to the one talking, but it profits only a little those who are listening. The only profit would be entertainment. For example, in church when a foreigner sings a solo in his or her native language, almost everyone enjoys the song because of its beauty. Yet we do not receive edification from it since the words are unintelligible to us.