Now, 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? If even lifeless instruments, such as the flute or the harp, do not give distinct notes, how will anyone know what is played? And if the bugle gives an indistinct sound, who will get ready for battle? So with yourselves, if with your tongue you utter speech that is not intelligible, how will anyone know what is said? For you will be speaking into the air. There are doubtless many different languages in the world, and none is without meaning, but if I do not know the meaning of the language, I will be a foreigner to the speaker and the speaker a foreigner to me. So with yourselves, since you are eager for manifestations of the Spirit, strive to excel in building up the church.
1 Corinthians 14:6-12 ESV
Understanding this verse requires us to understand the context. The Corinthians were a divided church (1 Corinthians 1:10-11) and they were spiritually immature (1 Corinthians 12:1-3). The focus in chapter 14 is cantered around speaking in tongues, as they prized it too highly.
In the verses prior to this, Paul outlined that speaking in a language nobody understands is about building up oneself. Instead, they ought to focus on building up the entire church (1 Corinthians 14:1-5). Furthermore, in 1 Corinthians 13:1-3, Paul says that using tongues without love is like a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal.
There is a strong connection between what Paul says about tongues without love are noisy, and what is said here:
Now, 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?
1 Corinthians 14:6 ESV
The question is rhetorical. If Paul comes to them speaking in tongues, how will he benefit them? He won’t, unless he brings a revelation, knowledge, prophecy or teaching. So then, which is greater: tongues, or, prophecy, knowledge, revelation and teaching?
If even lifeless instruments, such as the flute or the harp, do not give distinct notes, how will anyone know what is played? And if the bugle gives an indistinct sound, who will get ready for battle?
1 Corinthians 14:7-8 ESV
The contrast here is between living and lifeless, as well as distinct and indistinct. The instruments and the manner they’re played is not of importance, except to demonstrate that intelligibility is essential.
The use of apsuchos, which means lifeless, is of importance to the text. Paul contrasts the natural and the spiritual by way of that which lives and does not live. The fact these instruments are lifeless and make indistinguishable sounds means that nobody will know what is played and nobody will be prepared for battle. How much more is this true with our mouths that are living instruments? Ought we not to speak or sing distinct notes, and by doing so, rally one another as a church?
So with yourselves, if with your tongue you utter speech that is not intelligible, how will anyone know what is said? For you will be speaking into the air. There are doubtless many different languages in the world, and none is without meaning, but if I do not know the meaning of the language, I will be a foreigner to the speaker and the speaker a foreigner to me.
1 Corinthians 14:9-11 ESV
What I have said, Paul here also has said. So with yourselves, not as lifeless instruments but as living ones, if you are not intelligible, are you not like a flute without a tune? Or a bugle that calls nobody to battle? Does anyone understand you? Does anyone answer your call by your many words? No.
There are doubtless many languages, each of which they could speak, but if the others cannot speak it then you speak into the air. God will understand you, but your gift wasn’t for you and God alone. If they cannot understand your language then you become a barbaros, which means barbarian or foreigner, to the church. You are like one that is at enmity with the church as though you did not care that they heard you at all.
So with yourselves, since you are eager for manifestations of the Spirit, strive to excel in building up the church.
1 Corinthians 14:12 ESV
As the Corinthians had been speaking past each other, showing off their many tongues, they had neglected to build each other. Not that tongues itself is injurious, but the Corinthians had taken something good and neglected themselves. They are eager for the miraculous, but strive for those gifts that build the church. Whether that be prophecy, knowledge, revelation or teaching - even tongues if only there be somebody that may interpret:
Now I want you all to speak in tongues, but even more to prophesy. The one who prophesies is greater than the one who speaks in tongues, unless someone interprets, so that the church may be built up.
1 Corinthians 14:5 ESV
But if there is no one to interpret, let each of them keep silent in church and speak to himself and to God.
1 Corinthians 14:28 ESV
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