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Speaking In Tongues Is Just Speaking Into The Air Unless It Is Understood

But now[a], brothers, if I come to you speaking[b] in tongues, what will I profit you unless I speak to you either[c] by[d] a revelation or by knowledge or by a prophecy or by a teaching? Likewise the lifeless things giving a sound— whether a flute or harp— if it does not give a distinction in the tones, how will the thing being fluted or the thing being harped be known? For indeed, if a trumpet gives an uncertain sound, who will prepare himself for battle? So also you with the tongue— if you do not give a clear word, how will the thing being spoken be known? For you will be speaking into the air! 10 There are perhaps so-many kinds of spoken sounds[e] in the world, and none is meaningless. 11 If then I do not know the force of the spoken sound, I will be a barbarian to the one speaking, and the one speaking a barbarian with me.

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Footnotes

  1. 1 Corinthians 14:6 Or, But as-it-is.
  2. 1 Corinthians 14:6 That is, as a tongues-speaker; or, as actually addressing you.
  3. 1 Corinthians 14:6 That is, by one of these other gifts; or, by an interpretation of my tongues so as to yield one of these benefits.
  4. 1 Corinthians 14:6 Or, with, in.
  5. 1 Corinthians 14:10 Or, voices, and thus, languages.

Now, brothers and sisters, if I come to you and speak in tongues, what good will I be to you, unless I bring you some revelation(A) or knowledge(B) or prophecy or word of instruction?(C) 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? Again, if the trumpet does not sound a clear call, who will get ready for battle?(D) 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. 10 Undoubtedly there are all sorts of languages in the world, yet none of them is without meaning. 11 If then I do not grasp the meaning of what someone is saying, I am a foreigner to the speaker, and the speaker is a foreigner to me.(E)

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