1 Corinthians 14:7

Ὅμως τὰ ἄψυχα, “Quin et inanima” (Cv [2035]); as in Galatians 3:15, the part [2036] emphasises the word immediately following, not ψωνὴν διδόντα (“though giving sound”) in contrast to ἐὰν διαστολὴν … μὴ δῷ (so however Wr [2037], Gm [2038], Mr [2039], Sm [2040] : “yet unless they give a distinction, etc.”). The argument is a minori ad majus, from dead instruments to living speech: “Yet even in the case of lifeless things (τὰ ἄψυχα, generic art [2041]) when they give sound, unless they give a distinction in their notes” (so Hf [2042], Ed [2043], Gd [2044], El [2045]). φθόγγος denotes a measured, harmon ous sound, whether of voice (Romans 10:18) or instrument; see Plato, Tim. 80 διαστολὴ is referred by Lidd [2046], and by Ev [2047] ad loc [2048], to the pause between notes; by most others (after Plato, Phileb., 17C; cf. Oec [2049] ad loc [2050]) to the interval (= διάστημα) or distinction of pitch; possibly (so Cv [2051], El [2052]) it includes both in untechnical fashion whatever in fact distinguishes the φθόγγοι. πῶς γνωσθήσεται κ. τ. λ.; “How will that which is being piped or harped be discerned?” how will the air be made out, if the notes run confusedly into one another? The double art [2053], τὸ αὐλ.… τὸ κιθαρ., separates the two sorts of music. This comparison used applies to inarticulate γλωσσολαλία, not to foreign languages.

[2035] Calvin's In Nov. Testamentum Commentarii.

[2036]art. grammatical particle.

[2037] Winer-Moulton's Grammar of N.T. Greek (8th ed., 1877).

[2038] Grimm-Thayer's Greek-English Lexicon of the N.T.

[2039] Meyer's Critical and Exegetical Commentary (Eng. Trans.).

[2040] P. Schmiedel, in Handcommentar zum N.T. (1893).

[2041] grammatical article.

[2042] J. C. K. von Hofmann's Die heilige Schrift N.T. untersucht, ii. 2 (2te Auflage, 1874).

[2043] T. C. Edwards' Commentary on the First Ep. to the Corinthians. 2

[2044] F. Godet's Commentaire sur la prem. Ép. aux Corinthiens (Eng. Trans.).

[2045] C. J. Ellicott's St. Paul's First Epistle to the Corinthians.

[2046]idd. Liddell and Scott's Greek-English Lexicon.

[2047] T. S. Evans in Speaker's Commentary.

[2048] ad locum, on this passage.

[2049] Oecumenius, the Greek Commentator.

[2050] ad locum, on this passage.

[2051] Calvin's In Nov. Testamentum Commentarii.

[2052] C. J. Ellicott's St. Paul's First Epistle to the Corinthians.

[2053] grammatical article.