June 17, 2025 - 1 Corinthians 14:7 - "The Clear Sound of the Gospel"

1 Corinthians 14:7

"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?"

Musicians take great care to tune the instruments they use. They are equally meticulous in playing each note and measure precisely according to the music. Imagine a symphony in which every instrument plays at random—no rhythm, no harmony, just noise. Confusion replaces beauty, and the message of the music is lost.

In the same way, the apostle Paul uses this vivid imagery to remind believers that even the most powerful tools—like music or spiritual gifts—are meaningless without clarity and purpose. How, then, does this verse challenge every preacher to communicate the message of Christ and Him crucified with purpose and clarity? So clearly, in fact, that there is no doubt in the minds and hearts of the hearers about the distinctive sound of the Gospel—a sound that God blesses to the edification of the souls of His elect people, and, more importantly, to the glory of the LORD Jesus Christ in His accomplished work of salvation. As Paul declared in 1 Corinthians 2:1-5:  "And I, brethren, when I came to you, came not with excellency of speech or of wisdom, declaring unto you the testimony of God. For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified. And I was with you in weakness, and in fear, and in much trembling. And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man's wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power: That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God."

Every true Gospel message must be proclaimed exactly as it is written in God’s Word, without alteration or personal interpretation. As the apostle Paul stated in 1 Corinthians 14:6, "Now, brethren, if I come unto you speaking with tongues, what shall I profit you, except I shall speak to you either by revelation, or by knowledge, or by prophesying, or by doctrine?" This verse emphasizes that the message must be communicated in a way that brings spiritual benefit and understanding. That means it must come through divine revelation—God unveiling His truth—through the knowledge of Christ, which is often expressed in prophetic insight, or through sound doctrine, meaning clear and faithful teaching and instruction. The Gospel is not just any message; it must align completely with the Truth of the Person and work of the LORD Jesus as revealed in Scripture.

“For if the trumpet give an uncertain sound, who shall prepare himself to the battle?” (1 Corinthians 14:8). This verse illustrates the danger of unclear or compromised preaching. Just as a soldier cannot prepare for battle if the trumpet’s signal is confusing or indistinct, so too God's people cannot be edified or warned properly if the Gospel message is muddled. This “uncertain sound” represents preaching that mixes grace with works—a message that confuses law and Gospel, human effort and divine accomplishment. Such preaching lacks the clarity and power of the true Gospel, which proclaims that salvation is entirely of the LORD, by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone.

The Apostle Paul addresses this issue further in 2 Corinthians 1:17–20, where he emphasizes the consistency and certainty of God’s promises in Christ. Paul contrasts Godly preaching with human indecisiveness ("yea and nay"), showing that the message they preached was not wavering or double-minded, but firm and unchanging—just like Christ Himself. The Gospel is not conditional or uncertain; all of God’s promises are fully accomplished and therefore sure in Christ. There is no room for a "maybe" gospel that depends partly on man. In Christ, the answer is always “yea” and “Amen”—a finished work that brings all glory to God.

Sinners must hear the clear sound of electing grace—God doing the choosing (Ephesians 1:4; Romans 9:11)—redeeming grace—Christ’s blood shed in obedient death on the cross at Calvary, where His perfect righteousness, earned through His sinless life, was imputed to His elect (2 Corinthians 5:21; Romans 4:6)—and regenerating grace—the Spirit of Christ drawing each chosen and redeemed sinner to Christ, their Redeemer (John 6:44; Titus 3:5)—all through the preaching of the singular, solitary, and sure message of Christ and Him crucified (1 Corinthians 1:23; 1 Corinthians 2:2).

Anything less or anything else than this leaves sinners in confusion. God must grant the saving sound in the preaching and in the hearing of His redeeming Word to His glory alone in Christ Jesus the LORD!

"So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God" (Romans 10:17).