1 Corinthians 14:9 web — So also you, unless you uttered by the tongue words easy to understand, how would it be known what is spoken? For you w…

World English Bible

"So 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."

— 1 Corinthians 14:9, World English Bible

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1 Corinthians 14:9 in Other Translations

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1 Corinthians 14 — Context

6

But 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?

7

Even things without life, giving a voice, whether pipe or harp, if they didn't give a distinction in the sounds, how would it be known what is piped or harped?

8

For if the trumpet gave an uncertain sound, who would prepare himself for war?

9

So 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.

10

There are, it may be, so many kinds of sounds in the world, and none of them is without meaning.

11

If then I don't know the meaning of the sound, I would be to him who speaks a foreigner, and he who speaks would be a foreigner to me.

12

So also you, since you are zealous for spiritual gifts, seek that you may abound to the building up of the assembly.

1 Corinthians 14:9 — Frequently Asked Questions

7 questions
What does 1 Corinthians 14:9 say?
1 Corinthians 14:9 in the World English Bible reads: “So 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.”
Where is 1 Corinthians 14:9 in the Bible?
1 Corinthians 14:9 is found in the New Testament, in the book of 1 Corinthians, chapter 14, verse 9.
Who wrote 1 Corinthians?
1 Corinthians is traditionally attributed to Paul the Apostle. It was written c. AD 55.
What is the book of 1 Corinthians about?
Paul writes to a gifted but fractured church wrestling with divisions, sexual sin, lawsuits, marriage questions, food offered to idols, and disorder in worship. Through every issue he points back to the cross, the Spirit, and the resurrection — and gives us the church's greatest chapter on love.
What are the major themes of 1 Corinthians?
1 Corinthians explores themes including Unity, Cross, Spiritual Gifts, Love, Resurrection. These themes shape the meaning and context of 1 Corinthians 14:9.
What translation should I read 1 Corinthians 14:9 in?
1 Corinthians 14:9 is available on GodsGoodBook in the King James Version (KJV), American Standard Version (ASV), World English Bible (WEB), NET Bible, Young's Literal Translation, Darby Bible, Douay-Rheims Bible, and the Bible in Basic English. Each translation reflects different translation philosophies — use the translation picker on this page to compare them, or browse our full translations directory.
How can I memorize 1 Corinthians 14:9?
1 Corinthians 14:9 reads (WEB): “So 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.” Read it aloud, break it into short phrases, repeat each phrase three times before adding the next, then put the phrases together. Reading it in multiple translations (above) often helps the meaning settle.
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