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"You will be speaking into the air."

Text: 1 Corinthians 14:7-9

A STRONG BUT NECESSARY WORD OF ADMONITION

Paul had to make his teachings very clear. Thus, he wrote a strong word in the following text.

“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?
For if the trumpet makes an uncertain sound, who will prepare
for battle? So likewise you, unless you utter by the tongue
words easy to understand, how will it be known what is
spoken? For you will be speaking into the air.”
1 Corinthians 14:7-9

1. The analogy of musical instruments

a) The flute, harp and the trumpet were mentioned.

b) These are inanimate objects.

c) But the sounds they make are distinctive and distinguishable.

d) The trumpet was used by some armies.

e) It could be used to call soldiers to prepare to march forward or to retreat.

f) Each instrument must give the right note.

g) The lesson was clear.

i) There must be clarity.

ii) There must be certainty. (There must be no vagueness.)

2. “Likewise you”

a) Paul was making this point to those who insisted on speaking with tongues.

b) If anyone wishes to speak with tongues.

i) There must be clarity.

ii) There must be certainty.

3. “Unless you utter by the tongue words easy to understand”

a) The person who speaks with tongues must be intelligible to those who hear him.

b) His words must be easy enough to comprehend.

c) How else would anyone know what was being communicated.

4. “For you will be speaking into the air”

a) This is not a word of commendation.

b) This is a word of admonition and reproof to those who speak with tongues! They might as well speak into the air. No one understands them!