Scripture · New Testament
1 Corinthians 14:7
1 Corinthians 14:7 is verse 7 of 1 Corinthians chapter 14, shown here in the Berean Standard Bible.
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?
King James Version
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?
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?
Read in context
1 Corinthians 14:5–9 · Berean Standard Bible
5 I wish that all of you could speak in tongues, but I would rather have you prophesy. He who prophesies is greater than one who speaks in tongues, unless he interprets so that the church may be edified.
6 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?
7 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?
8 Again, if the trumpet sounds a muffled call, who will prepare for battle?
9 So it is with you. Unless you speak intelligible words with your tongue, how will anyone know what you are saying? You will just be speaking into the air.
Read all of 1 Corinthians 14Greek words
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Cross-references
The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge lists these related verses. Scripture text comes from the Berean Standard Bible.
1 Corinthians 13:1If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a ringing gong or a clanging cymbal.
1 Corinthians 14:8Again, if the trumpet sounds a muffled call, who will prepare for battle?
Numbers 10:2“Make two trumpets of hammered silver to be used for calling the congregation and for having the camps set out.
Numbers 10:3When both are sounded, the whole congregation is to assemble before you at the entrance to the Tent of Meeting.
Numbers 10:4But if only one is sounded, then the leaders, the heads of the clans of Israel, are to gather before you.
Numbers 10:5When you sound short blasts, the camps that lie on the east side are to set out.
Numbers 10:6When you sound the short blasts a second time, the camps that lie on the south side are to set out. The blasts are to signal them to set out.
Numbers 10:7To convene the assembly, you are to sound long blasts, not short ones.
Numbers 10:8The sons of Aaron, the priests, are to sound the trumpets. This shall be a permanent statute for you and the generations to come.
Numbers 10:9When you enter into battle in your land against an adversary who attacks you, sound short blasts on the trumpets, and you will be remembered before the LORD your God and saved from your enemies.
Numbers 10:10And on your joyous occasions, your appointed feasts, and the beginning of each month, you are to blow the trumpets over your burnt offerings and fellowship offerings to serve as a reminder for you before your God. I am the LORD your God.”
Matthew 11:17‘We played the flute for you, and you did not dance; we sang a dirge, and you did not mourn.’
Luke 7:32They are like children sitting in the marketplace and calling out to one another: ‘We played the flute for you, and you did not dance; we sang a dirge, and you did not weep.’