1 Corinthians 14:6-12: a reflection

6But now, brothers, if I come to you speaking with other languages, what would I profit you unless I speak to you either by way of revelation, or of knowledge, or of prophesying, or of teaching? 7Even 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? 8For if the trumpet gave an uncertain sound, who would prepare himself for war? 9So also you, unless you uttered by the tongue words easy to understand, how would it be known what is spoken? For you would be speaking into the air. 10There are, it may be, so many kinds of languages in the world, and none of them is without meaning. 11If then I don’t know the meaning of the language, I would be to him who speaks a foreigner, and he who speaks would be a foreigner to me. 12So also you, since you are zealous for spiritual gifts, seek that you may abound to the building up of the assembly.

Paul stresses the importance of speaking in a way others can understand, using the image of instruments and a trumpet: unless our words are clear, they do no good, however impressive. If the trumpet gave an uncertain sound, Paul asks, who would prepare himself for war? So also you, unless you spoke words easy to understand, how would it be known what is spoken? For you would be speaking into the air. Paul is concerned that speech, even spiritual speech, be intelligible, clear enough to be understood, so that it actually builds others up. Words that cannot be understood, however impressive-sounding, are like an uncertain trumpet or a tuneless instrument; they do not accomplish their purpose. This shows the importance of clear, intelligible speech that builds others up. Speak clearly, so that others can understand and be built up. Words that cannot be understood do no good, however impressive. Clarity in speech serves to build others up. Speak to be understood, not merely to impress.

Notice Paul's concern and his images. He uses the picture of musical instruments and a trumpet: if instruments give no clear, distinct notes, no one can tell what tune is played; if a trumpet gives an uncertain sound, no one knows to prepare for battle. Sound without clarity accomplishes nothing. And so, Paul says, is speech that cannot be understood: it is like speaking into the air, however impressive it may sound. Paul's concern is that our speech, especially in the church, be intelligible, clear enough to be understood, so that it actually builds others up. This holds a lesson for how we speak and communicate. It can be tempting to speak in ways that impress, that sound eloquent or learned, but that others cannot really understand; but such speech, however impressive, does not build others up. Better to speak clearly, plainly, in a way others can understand, so that our words actually help and edify them. The aim of our speech, Paul says, especially in the church, should be to build others up; and that requires clarity, speaking to be understood rather than merely to impress. We do well to seek clarity in our speech, aiming to be understood and to build others up. Speak clearly, aiming to be understood and to build others up. Do not speak merely to impress, but to help and edify. Clarity, not impressiveness, is what builds others up. The aim of our speech should be to edify, which requires being understood.

That is worth taking to heart, for clear, intelligible speech that others can understand builds them up, while impressive but unclear speech does no good, and we do well to seek clarity, aiming to edify. We can be tempted to speak in ways that impress, sounding eloquent or learned but hard to understand; but Paul says such speech is like an uncertain trumpet, speaking into the air, and does not build others up. Clarity edifies. Do not speak merely to impress; speak clearly, aiming to be understood and to build others up. Seek clarity in your speech, aiming to be understood and to build others up rather than merely to impress, as Paul stressed that unless our words are easy to understand, they are like speaking into the air, and used the image of instruments and a trumpet, that if instruments give no clear notes no one can tell the tune and if a trumpet gives an uncertain sound no one knows to prepare for battle; for sound without clarity accomplishes nothing, and so is speech that cannot be understood, however impressive it may sound, since Paul's concern is that our speech, especially in the church, be intelligible and clear enough to be understood so that it actually builds others up, which holds a lesson for how we speak, since it can be tempting to speak in ways that impress, that sound eloquent or learned but that others cannot really understand, but such speech does not build others up, and it is better to speak clearly and plainly in a way others can understand so that our words actually help and edify them, since the aim of our speech should be to build others up, which requires clarity and speaking to be understood rather than merely to impress.

Lord, Paul stresses the importance of speaking in a way others can understand, using the image of instruments and a trumpet: unless our words are clear, they do no good, however impressive. If the trumpet gave an uncertain sound, Paul asks, who would prepare himself for war? So also you, unless you spoke words easy to understand, how would it be known what is spoken? For you would be speaking into the air. Paul is concerned that speech, even spiritual speech, be intelligible, clear enough to be understood, so that it actually builds others up. Words that cannot be understood, however impressive-sounding, are like an uncertain trumpet; they do not accomplish their purpose. Show me Paul's concern and his images. If instruments give no clear notes, no one can tell what tune is played; if a trumpet gives an uncertain sound, no one knows to prepare for battle. Sound without clarity accomplishes nothing. And so is speech that cannot be understood: it is like speaking into the air, however impressive it may sound. Paul's concern is that my speech be clear enough to be understood, so that it actually builds others up. This holds a lesson for how I speak. It can be tempting to speak in ways that impress, that sound eloquent or learned, but that others cannot really understand; but such speech, however impressive, does not build others up. Better to speak clearly, plainly, so that my words actually help and edify. The aim of my speech should be to build others up; and that requires clarity, speaking to be understood rather than merely to impress. Take that to my heart, for clear speech that others can understand builds them up, while impressive but unclear speech does no good. Keep me from speaking merely to impress, sounding eloquent but hard to understand; help me seek clarity in my speech, Lord, aiming to be understood and to build others up rather than to impress, that my words may actually help and edify.