Even so ye, forasmuch as ye are zealous of spiritual gifts, seek that ye may excel to the edifying of the church.
Those who are zealous for spiritual gifts are to seek to excel in edifying and building up the church. Edifying the church requires speech that is distinct, clear, easy to be understood, and meaningful, so that hearers benefit rather than hearing what is unintelligible. Just as a pipe or harp must give a distinction in sounds for it to be known what is piped or harped, and just as a trumpet must give a certain sound for anyone to prepare for battle, without words easy to be understood people speak into the air. Since every kind of voice in the world has signification, when the meaning of the voice is not known speaker and hearer are barbarians to each other.
In public prayer, testimony, and worship, speech should be clear and understandable so others can benefit, for speaking indistinctly or in words listeners cannot understand does not edify them. The same principle calls believers to cultivate the voice and to make an effort to speak audibly and distinctly so their words can build up the church.
Those who are zealous for spiritual gifts are to seek to excel in edifying and building up the church. Edifying the church requires speech that is distinct, clear, easy to be understood, and meaningful, so that hearers benefit rather than hearing what is unintelligible. Just as a pipe or harp must give a distinction in sounds for it to be known what is piped or harped, and just as a trumpet must give a certain sound for anyone to prepare for battle, without words easy to be understood people speak into the air. Since every kind of voice in the world has signification, when the meaning of the voice is not known speaker and hearer are barbarians to each other.
In public prayer, testimony, and worship, speech should be clear and understandable so others can benefit, for speaking indistinctly or in words listeners cannot understand does not edify them. The same principle calls believers to cultivate the voice and to make an effort to speak audibly and distinctly so their words can build up the church.