SEV Biblia, Chapter 14:9
Así tambin vosotros, si por la lengua no diereis palabra bien significativa, ¿cmo se entender lo que se dice? Porque hablaris al aire.
Clarke's Bible Commentary - 1 Corinthians 14:9
Verse 9. Likewise ye] If ye do not speak in the Church so as to be understood, your labour is useless; ye shall speak into the air-your speech will be lost and dissipated in the air, without conveying any meaning to any person: there will be a noise or sound, but nothing else. Gifts of that kind, thus used, are good for nothing.
John Gill's Bible Commentary
Ver. 9. So likewise you, unless ye utter by the tongue words easy to be understood , etc.] This is an accommodation of the foregoing similes to the case in hand: for as unless there is a distinction of notes and tunes, it cannot be music, nor it cannot be known what is piped or harped; and unless the trumpet gives a certain sound, none can know when to prepare himself for the battle; so unless in the public ministry and service a language is spoken, and words made use of, which are understood without difficulty: how shall it be known what is spoken ? the subject matter of the discourse, prayer, or psalm, will be all lost, and therefore cannot be for edification, exhortation, or comfort: for ye shall speak into the air ; into which such words are resolved, and the use and benefit of them, as to others, cease with the breath, by which they are delivered: any part of divine service performed in such a way is all in vain, and to no purpose; it is all lost labour, it is beating the air, and talking to the wind. This condemns the practice of the Papists, performing divine service in a language not understood by the common people; and exposes the folly of those, who are fond of a florid style, of bombast words, great swelling words of vanity in their public discourses: this is only speaking into the air, with regard to the vulgar, whose edification should be consulted: and as the end of the Gospel ministry is public usefulness and edification, plainness of speech, words easy to be understood, should be used; such as are apt and fit to convey the true idea of things to people in common; these are the acceptable words, which the wise preacher, who is desirous of doing good to the souls of men, will seek out, and studiously make use of.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 6-14 - Even an apostle could not edify, unless he spoke so as to be understoo by his hearers. To speak words that have no meaning to those who hea them, is but speaking into the air. That cannot answer the end of speaking, which has no meaning; in this case, speaker and hearers ar barbarians to each other. All religious services should be so performe in Christian assemblies, that all may join in, and profit by them Language plain and easy to be understood, is the most proper for publi worship, and other religious exercises. Every true follower of Chris will rather desire to do good to others, than to get a name for learning or fine speaking.
Greek Textus Receptus
ουτως 3779 ADV και 2532 CONJ υμεις 5210 P-2NP δια 1223 PREP της 3588 T-GSF γλωσσης 1100 N-GSF εαν 1437 COND μη 3361 PRT-N ευσημον 2154 A-ASM λογον 3056 N-ASM δωτε 1325 5632 V-2AAS-2P πως 4459 ADV-I γνωσθησεται 1097 5701 V-FPI-3S το 3588 T-NSN λαλουμενον 2980 5746 V-PPP-NSN εσεσθε 2071 5704 V-FXI-2P γαρ 1063 CONJ εις 1519 PREP αερα 109 N-ASM λαλουντες 2980 5723 V-PAP-NPM
Robertson's NT Word Studies
14:9 {Unless ye utter speech easy to be understood} (ean me eusemon logon dwte). Condition of third class again (ean and aorist subjunctive). eusemon (eu, well, sema, sign) is old word, here only in N.T., well-marked, distinct, clear. Good enunciation, a hint for speakers. {Ye will be speaking into the air} (esesqe eis aera lalountes). Periphrastic future indicative (linear action). Cf. aera derwn (beating the air) in #9:26. Cf. our talking to the wind. this was before the days of radio.
