1 Corinthians 14:9

So also ye, unless ye utter by the tongue speech easy to understood, how shall it be known what is spoken? for ye will be speaking into the air.

'So also ye' -'In the same way' (Beck); 'You too must use. language that men can understand' (Nor). If clarity in communication is necessary in "lifeless" things, how much more in the area of human communication.

'speech easy to be understood' -'language that men can understand' (Nor) 'Well-marked, distinct, clear.' (Robertson p. 182)

Again, preachers and bible class teachers need to take seriously the principle that is being stressed in these passages. Language that doesn't get the point across, language that the student doesn't understand or comprehend, is useless in that particular situation.

'for ye will be speaking into the air' -'a proverbial expression for ineffectual speech, like our "talking to the wind."' (Gr. Ex. N.T. p. 905) 'Wasting your breath'.

Points to Note:

The tongues under consideration in this chapter: (1) Were languages. (2) Were public. These are not some sort of private prayer tongues! (1 Corinthians 14:5)