1 Corinthians 14:6-11

One Must Be Able to Discern To Learn

If the people in the assembly could not learn from what was said, what good was the sound? Even in musical sound, there must be a distinct sound made in order to make sense. There are certain rules of beat and harmony that must be followed. A child just playing with an instrument seldom makes a hit record.

McGarvey says, "Moreover, some instruments, such as the trumpet, because of the fixed and established laws of tone, are used to convey a language as well defined and unmistakable as that of the voice. Thus, certain notes on the trumpet command a charge, others the joining of battle, and yet others the retreat, etc. Now, if the trumpet or trumpeter fails to produce this tone/language intelligibly, the army is thrown into confusion" (1 Corinthians 14:6-8).

In the same way, tongue speaking that was not understood by the listener was wasted effort. At best, it was like talking to oneself. At its worst, it could create confusion. Languages are useful only when they make sense. They are not for mere display. Both the speaker, who used a language, and the listener, who could not understand the language used, were as ignorant foreigners to one another (1 Corinthians 14:9-11).