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?
*Minor differences ignored. Grouped by changes, with first version listed as example.
Nay even things without life. He brings forward similitudes, first from musical instruments, and then afterwards from the nature of things generally, there being no voice that has not some peculiarity, suitable for distinction. [1] "Even things without life," says he, "instruct us." There are, it is true, many random sounds or crashes, without any modulation, [2] but Paul speaks here of voices in which there is something of art, as though he had said -- "A man cannot give life to a harp or flute, but he makes it give forth a sound that is regulated in such a manner, that it can be distinguished. How absurd then it is, that even men, endowed with intelligence, should utter a confused, indistinguishable sound!" We must not, however, enter here upon any minute discussion as to musical harmonies, inasmuch as Paul has merely taken what is commonly understood; as, for example, the sound of the trumpet, [3] of which he speaks shortly afterwards; for it is so much calculated to raise the spirits, that it rouses up -- not only men, but even horses. Hence it is related in historical records, that the Lacedemonians, when joining battle, preferred the use of the flute, [4] lest the army should, at the first charge, rush forward upon the enemy with too keen an onset. [5] In fine, we all know by experience what power music has in exciting men's feelings, so that Plato affirms, and not without good reason, that music has very much effect in influencing, in one way or another, the manners of a state. To speak into the air is to beat the air (1-Corinthians 9:26) to no purpose. "Thy voice will not reach either God or man, but will vanish into air."
1 - "C'est a dire, pour signifier quelque chose;" -- "That is to say, for signifying something."
2 - "Sans mesure ou distinction;" -- "Without measure or distinction."
3 - "It is well known that trumpets were exclusively employed in almost all ancient armies, for the purpose of directing the movements of the soldiers, and of informing them what they were to do -- as when to attack, advance, or retreat. This was the custom in even the most early Jewish armies, as the Law directed two silver trumpets to be made for the purpose. (Numbers 10:1, 2, 9.) Of course, a distinction of tones was necessary, to express the various intimations which were in this manner conveyed; and if the trumpeter did not give the proper intonation, the soldiers could not tell how to act, or were in danger, from misconception, of acting wrongly." Illustrated Commentary. -- Ed.
4 - "Ils vsoyent plustost de fluste, que de trompette;" -- "They used the flute, rather than the trumpet."
5 - The use of the flute on such occasions by the Lacedemonians, is supposed by Valerius Maximus to have "been intended to raise the courage of the soldiers, that they might begin the onset with greater violence and fury;" but the reason stated by Calvin accords with the account given of it by Thucydides (with whom the rest of the ancient historians agree) -- that it was designed to "render them cool and sedate -- trumpets and other instruments being more proper to inspire with heat and rage;" which passions they thought were "fitted rather to beget disorder and confusion, than to produce any noble and memorable actions -- valor not being the effect of a sudden and vanishing transport, but proceeding from a settled and habitual firmness and constancy of mind." Potter's Gr. Ant. volume 2. -- Ed.
Things without life - Instruments of music.
Whether pipe - This instrument (αὐλὸς aulos) was usually made of reeds, and probably had a resemblance to a flageolet.
Or harp - This instrument (κιθάρα kithara) was a stringed instrument, and was made in the same way as a modern harp. It usually had ten strings, and was struck with the plectrum, or with a key. It was commonly employed in praise.
Except they give a distinction in the sounds - Unless they give a difference in the "tones," such as are indicated in the gamut for music.
How shall it be known - That is, there would be no time, no music. Nothing would be indicated by it. It would not be suited to excite the emotions of sorrow or of joy. All music is designed to excite emotions; but if there be no difference in the tones, no emotion would be produced. So it would be in words uttered. Unless there was something that was suited to excite thought or emotion; unless what was spoken was made "intelligible," no matter how important in itself it might be, yet it would be useless.
And even things without life - I may, as if he had said, illustrate this farther by referring to a pipe or harp; if these were to utter mere sounds without order, harmony, or melody, though every tone of music might be in the sounds, surely no person could discern a tune in such sounds, nor receive pleasure from such discords: even so is the person who speaks in an unknown tongue, but does not interpret. His speech tends no more to edification than those discordant and unmeaning sounds do to pleasure and delight.
(3) And even things without life giving sound, whether pipe or harp, except they give a distinction in the sounds, how shall it be known what is piped or harped?
(3) He sets forth that which he said by a similitude, which he borrows and takes from instruments of music, which although they speak not perfectly, yet they are distinguished by their sounds, that they may be the better used.
And even things without life giving sound,.... He instances in things inanimate, that have neither reason, sense, nor life, in musical instruments, and these of various sorts:
whether pipe or harp; wind music, or hand music; either that which is blown with the breath, or pressed or stricken with the hand:
except they give a distinction in the sounds; or "tunes", so as one may be discerned from another; as that this is such a musical note, and that is another:
how shall it be known what is piped or harped? what tune is played; such an use of instruments would be a mere jargon, and not music, and so yield no pleasure to the ear, or mind; and just the like must speaking in an unknown tongue be, to one that understands it not.
Translate, "And things without life-giving sound, whether pipe or harp, YET (notwithstanding their giving sound) if they give not a distinction in the tones (that is, notes) how?" &c.
what is piped or harped--that is, what tune is played on the pipe or harp.
How shall it be known what is piped or harped - What music can be made, or what end answered?
*More commentary available at chapter level.