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.

EXPOSITORY (ENGLISH BIBLE)

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(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.

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary

14:6-14 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, is but speaking into the air. That cannot answer the end of speaking, which has no meaning; in this case, speaker and hearers are barbarians to each other. All religious services should be so performed in Christian assemblies, that all may join in, and profit by them. Language plain and easy to be understood, is the most proper for public worship, and other religious exercises. Every true follower of Christ will rather desire to do good to others, than to get a name for learning or fine speaking.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

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.

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

9. So … ye—who have life; as opposed to "things without life" (1Co 14:7).

by the tongue—the language which ye speak in.

ye shall speak—Ye will be speaking into the air, that is, in vain (1Co 9:26).

Matthew Poole's Commentary

By logon eushmon 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 people’s 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).

Gill's Exposition of the Entire 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.

Geneva Study Bible

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.

EXEGETICAL (ORIGINAL LANGUAGES)

Meyer's NT Commentary

1 Corinthians 14:9. Inference from 1 Corinthians 14:7 f.: accordingly, if you also, et.

διὰ τῆς γλώσσης] for it was by means of the tongue that his readers brought forth so much unintelligible matter through their glossolalia. The ὑμεῖς διὰ τῆς γλώσσης speaking unintelligibly correspond to those instruments in 1 Corinthians 14:7-8; hence διὰ τ. γλ. is put immediately after ὑμεῖς, and before ἐάν (comp. 1 Corinthians 6:4).

εὔσημον λόγον] 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.

ἔσεσθε γὰρ κ.τ.λ.] expressing the unsuitable relation of state, hence not the mere future (comp. Kühner, II. p. 40): for ye shall be people, who, et.

εἰς ἀέρα] palpably illustrates the uselessness (what does not remain with the hearer). Comp. 1 Corinthians 9:26; Lucretius, iv. 929; Pflugk, ad Eur. Hec. 334. Philo: ἀε̈ρομυθεῖν, to speak to the wind, and ἀερόμυθος.

Expositor's Greek Testament

1 Corinthians 14:9 enforces the twofold illustration of 1 Corinthians 14:7 f.: “So also in your case (οὕτως καὶ ὑμεῖς), if through the tongue you do not give a word of clear signification (εὔσημον λόγον), how will that which is spoken be discerned?”—εὔ-σημος (from εὖ and σῦμα, a sign) implies a meaning in the word, and a meaning good to make out; cf. Sophocles, Antig., 1004, 1021.—πῶς γνωσθήσεται κ.τ.λ.; is an echo from 1 Corinthians 14:7; and “the tongue” (διὰ τῆς γλώσσης: cf. 1 Corinthians 3:5, 1 Corinthians 6:4, 1 Corinthians 7:17), as the means of living speech, is thrust before the ἐὰν 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 γλῶσσα: otherwise here), for it is precisely his objection to this charism that it gives an ἄσημον instead of a εὔσημον λόγον (1 Corinthians 14:16; 1 Corinthians 14:19; 1 Corinthians 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. 1 Corinthians 14:2; 1 Corinthians 14:17, etc.).—εἰς ἀέρα λαλεῖν, a proverbial expression (cf. 1 Corinthians 9:26) for ineffectual speech, like our “talking to the wind”; in Philo, ἀερομυθεῖν.

[2055] F. Godet’s Commentaire sur la prem. Ép. aux Corinthiens (Eng. Trans.).

[2056] T. C. Edwards’ Commentary on the First Ep. to the Corinthians.2

[2057] Corinth, Corinthian or Corinthians.

Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

9. words easy to be understood] Literally, a well marked discourse, language which has a clearly discernible meaning.

Bengel's Gnomen

1 Corinthians 14:9. Ὑμεῖς, you) who have life [opp. to things without life]; comp. 1 Corinthians 14:7.—διὰ, by) i.e. then, when you speak in an unknown tongue.

Pulpit Commentary

Verse 9. - Words easy to be understood; rather, distinguishable speech. Ye shall speak; rather, ye shall be (all the time) speaking. Into the air. Mere pulses of useless inarticulate breath, spoken ins Blaue hinein. Philo has the word aeromuthos one who speaks to the wind. 1 Corinthians 14:9