Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version Even in the case of lifeless things that make sounds, such as the pipe or harp, how will anyone know what tune is being played unless there is a distinction in the notes? New Living Translation Even lifeless instruments like the flute or the harp must play the notes clearly, or no one will recognize the melody. English Standard Version If even lifeless instruments, such as the flute or the harp, do not give distinct notes, how will anyone know what is played? Berean Standard Bible 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? Berean Literal Bible Even lifeless things giving a sound, whether the flute or harp, unless they give distinction to the sounds, how will it be known what is being piped or being harped? King James Bible 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? New King James Version Even things without life, whether flute or harp, when they make a sound, unless they make a distinction in the sounds, how will it be known what is piped or played? New American Standard Bible Yet even lifeless instruments, whether flute or harp, in producing a sound, if they do not produce a distinction in the tones, how will it be known what is played on the flute or on the harp? NASB 1995 Yet even lifeless things, either flute or harp, in producing a sound, if they do not produce a distinction in the tones, how will it be known what is played on the flute or on the harp? NASB 1977 Yet even lifeless things, either flute or harp, in producing a sound, if they do not produce a distinction in the tones, how will it be known what is played on the flute or on the harp? Legacy Standard Bible Yet even lifeless things, either flute or harp, in producing a sound, if they do not produce a distinction in the tones, how will it be known what is played on the flute or on the harp? Amplified Bible Yet even lifeless things, whether flute or harp, when producing a sound, if they do not produce distinct [musical] tones, how will anyone [listening] know what is piped or played? Christian Standard Bible Even lifeless instruments that produce sounds—whether flute or harp —if they don’t make a distinction in the notes, how will what is played on the flute or harp be recognized? Holman Christian Standard Bible Even inanimate things that produce sounds—whether flute or harp—if they don’t make a distinction in the notes, how will what is played on the flute or harp be recognized? American Standard Version 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? Contemporary English Version If all musical instruments sounded alike, how would you know the difference between a flute and a harp? English Revised Version 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? GOD'S WORD® Translation Musical instruments like the flute or harp produce sounds. If there is no difference in the notes, how can a person tell what tune is being played? Good News Translation Take such lifeless musical instruments as the flute or the harp--how will anyone know the tune that is being played unless the notes are sounded distinctly? International Standard Version In the same way, lifeless instruments like the flute or harp produce sounds. But if there's no difference in the notes, how can a person tell what tune is being played? Majority Standard Bible 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? NET Bible It is similar for lifeless things that make a sound, like a flute or harp. Unless they make a distinction in the notes, how can what is played on the flute or harp be understood? New Heart English Bible Even things without life, giving a voice, whether pipe or harp, if they did not give a distinction in the sounds, how would it be known what is piped or harped? Webster's Bible Translation 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? Weymouth New Testament Even inanimate things--flutes or harps, for instance--when yielding a sound, if they make no distinction in the notes, how shall the tune which is played on the flute or the harp be known? World English Bible 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? Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionYet the things without life giving sound—whether pipe or harp—if they may not give a difference in the sounds, how will be known that which is piped or that which is harped? Berean Literal Bible Even lifeless things giving a sound, whether the flute or harp, unless they give distinction to the sounds, how will it be known what is being piped or being harped? Young's Literal Translation 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? Smith's Literal Translation As inanimate things giving a voice, whether pipe or harp, if it give not a distinction to sounds, how shall the piping or harping be known? Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleEven things without life that give sound, whether pipe or harp, except they give a distinction of sounds, how shall it be known what is piped or harped ? Catholic Public Domain Version Even those things that are without a soul can make sounds, whether it is a wind or a stringed instrument. But unless they present a distinction within the sounds, how will it be known which is from the pipe and which is from the string? New American Bible Likewise, if inanimate things that produce sound, such as flute or harp, do not give out the tones distinctly, how will what is being played on flute or harp be recognized? New Revised Standard Version It is the same way with lifeless instruments that produce sound, such as the flute or the harp. If they do not give distinct notes, how will anyone know what is being played? Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleFor even when things without life, giving sound, whether flute or harp, except they make a distinction between one tone and another, how shall it be known what is sung or played? Aramaic Bible in Plain English For even inanimate things which give sound, whether a flute or harp, if they make no distinction between one tone and another, how will anything that is played or anything that is harped be known? NT Translations Anderson New TestamentAnd even lifeless instruments, which produce sound, whether pipe or harp, unless they give a distinction in the notes, how shall that which is piped or harped be known? Godbey New Testament Nevertheless things without life, giving forth a voice, whether pipe or harp, if it may not give a distinction to the sounds, how shall it be known what is piped, or what is harped? Haweis New Testament In like manner things inanimate, giving sound, whether the pipe, or the harp, unless they express a distinction in their tones, how shall it be known what is piped, or what is harped? Mace New Testament And even inanimate instruments of sound, whether pipe or harp, except they have a distinct variety of notes, how can they express any significant tune? Weymouth New Testament Even inanimate things--flutes or harps, for instance--when yielding a sound, if they make no distinction in the notes, how shall the tune which is played on the flute or the harp be known? Worrell New Testament Even things without life giving sound, whether pipe or harp, if they give no distinction in the sounds, how shall it be known what is piped or harped? Worsley New Testament As inanimate things which give a found, whether pipe or harp, unless they give a distinction in the sounds, how shall what is piped or harped be understood? Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context Prophecy and Tongues…6Now, brothers, if I come to you speaking in tongues, how will I benefit you, unless I bring you some revelation or knowledge or prophecy or teaching? 7Even 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? 8Again, if the trumpet sounds a muffled call, who will prepare for battle?… Cross References Romans 10:17 Consequently, faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ. Matthew 11:15 He who has ears, let him hear. Revelation 2:7 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who overcomes, I will grant the right to eat from the tree of life in the Paradise of God. John 10:27 My sheep listen to My voice; I know them, and they follow Me. Hebrews 5:11 We have much to say about this, but it is hard to explain, because you are dull of hearing. Acts 2:6 And when this sound rang out, a crowd came together in bewilderment, because each one heard them speaking his own language. Ephesians 5:19 Speak to one another with psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your hearts to the Lord, Colossians 3:16 Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. 1 Thessalonians 5:21 but test all things. Hold fast to what is good. 1 John 4:1 Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God. For many false prophets have gone out into the world. Isaiah 28:10 For they hear: “Order on order, order on order, line on line, line on line; a little here, a little there.” Ezekiel 33:32 Indeed, you are to them like a singer of love songs with a beautiful voice, who skillfully plays an instrument. They hear your words but do not put them into practice. Psalm 49:4 I will incline my ear to a proverb; I will express my riddle with the harp: Psalm 78:2 I will open my mouth in parables; I will utter things hidden from the beginning, Isaiah 6:9-10 And He replied: “Go and tell this people, ‘Be ever hearing, but never understanding; be ever seeing, but never perceiving.’ / Make the hearts of this people calloused; deafen their ears and close their eyes. Otherwise they might see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their hearts, and turn and be healed.” Treasury of Scripture 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? things. 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. except. 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… 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. sounds. Jump to Previous Different Distinct Distinction Either Except Flute Flutes Harp Harps Instance Instrument Instruments Life Lifeless Notes Pipe Piped Played Produce Producing Sound Sounds Tones Tune Unless Voice Whether YieldingJump to Next Different Distinct Distinction Either Except Flute Flutes Harp Harps Instance Instrument Instruments Life Lifeless Notes Pipe Piped Played Produce Producing Sound Sounds Tones Tune Unless Voice Whether Yielding1 Corinthians 14 1. Prophecy is commended,2. and preferred before speaking in tongues, 6. by a comparison drawn from musical instruments. 12. Both must be referred to edification, 22. as to their true and proper end. 26. The true use of each is taught, 27. and the abuse rebuked. 34. Women in the churches. Even in the case of lifeless instruments The Apostle Paul uses the metaphor of "lifeless instruments" to illustrate the importance of clarity and order in communication, particularly in the context of spiritual gifts like speaking in tongues. The Greek word for "lifeless" (ἄψυχα, apsucha) emphasizes the absence of life or spirit, contrasting with the living, dynamic nature of the church. Historically, instruments like the flute and harp were common in both Jewish and Greco-Roman cultures, used in worship and celebration. This metaphor underscores the necessity for intelligibility in worship, as lifeless instruments require a skilled musician to produce meaningful music, just as spiritual gifts require discernment and interpretation to edify the church. such as the flute or harp how will anyone recognize the tune they are playing unless there is a distinction in the notes "How sour sweet music is, Greek Even in the case ofὅμως (homōs) Conjunction Strong's 3676: Yet, nevertheless, even. Adverb from the base of homou; at the same time, i.e. notwithstanding, yet still. lifeless ἄψυχα (apsycha) Adjective - Nominative Neuter Plural Strong's 895: Lifeless, inanimate. Lifeless, i.e. Inanimate. instruments, διδόντα (didonta) Verb - Present Participle Active - Nominative Neuter Plural Strong's 1325: To offer, give; I put, place. A prolonged form of a primary verb; to give. such as εἴτε (eite) Conjunction Strong's 1535: And if, whether. From ei and te; if too. [the] flute αὐλὸς (aulos) Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular Strong's 836: A flute, pipe. From the same as aer; a flute. or εἴτε (eite) Conjunction Strong's 1535: And if, whether. From ei and te; if too. harp, κιθάρα (kithara) Noun - Nominative Feminine Singular Strong's 2788: A harp, lyre. Of uncertain affinity; a lyre. how πῶς (pōs) Adverb Strong's 4459: Adverb from the base of pou; an interrogative particle of manner; in what way?; also as exclamation, how much! will [anyone] recognize γνωσθήσεται (gnōsthēsetai) Verb - Future Indicative Passive - 3rd Person Singular Strong's 1097: A prolonged form of a primary verb; to 'know' in a great variety of applications and with many implications. [the tune] τὸ (to) Article - Nominative Neuter Singular Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the. they are playing δῷ (dō) Verb - Aorist Subjunctive Active - 3rd Person Singular Strong's 1325: To offer, give; I put, place. A prolonged form of a primary verb; to give. unless ἐὰν (ean) Conjunction Strong's 1437: If. From ei and an; a conditional particle; in case that, provided, etc. the τοῖς (tois) Article - Dative Masculine Plural Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the. notes φθόγγοις (phthongois) Noun - Dative Masculine Plural Strong's 5353: A sound. From phtheggomai; utterance, i.e. A musical note. are distinct? διαστολὴν (diastolēn) Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular Strong's 1293: Distinction, difference, separation. From diastellomai; a variation. Links 1 Corinthians 14:7 NIV1 Corinthians 14:7 NLT 1 Corinthians 14:7 ESV 1 Corinthians 14:7 NASB 1 Corinthians 14:7 KJV 1 Corinthians 14:7 BibleApps.com 1 Corinthians 14:7 Biblia Paralela 1 Corinthians 14:7 Chinese Bible 1 Corinthians 14:7 French Bible 1 Corinthians 14:7 Catholic Bible NT Letters: 1 Corinthians 14:7 Even things without life giving a voice (1 Cor. 1C iC 1Cor i cor icor) |
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