1 Corinthians 14:6-12

1 Corinthians 14:6-12

[6] brethren,  if  I come  unto  speaking  with tongues,  what  shall I profit  I shall speak  either  by  revelation,  or  by  knowledge,  or  by  prophesying,  or  by  doctrine?  [7] And even  things without life  giving  sound,  whether  pipe  or  harp,  they give  a distinction  in the sounds,  how  shall it be known  what is piped  or  harped?  [8] For  if  the trumpet  give  an uncertain  sound,  who  shall prepare himself  to  the battle?  [9] So  likewise  ye utter  by  the tongue  words  easy to be understood,  how  shall it be known  what is spoken?  for  speak  into  the air.  [10] it may be,  so many  kinds  of voices  in  the world,  and  none of them  is without signification.  [11] Therefore  I know  the meaning  of the voice,  unto him that speaketh  a barbarian,  and  he that speaketh  shall be a barbarian  unto  [12] Even  so  forasmuch as  zealous  of spiritual  gifts, seek  that  ye may excel  to  the edifying  of the church. 

What does 1 Corinthians 14:6-12 Mean?

Contextual Meaning

Paul illustrated his point that hearers do not benefit at all from what they do not understand. He used musical instruments as examples and clarified more about foreign languages.