Homilies on First Corinthians

“For if the trumpet give an uncertain voice, who shall prepare himself for war?”

Thus from things merely ornamental he carries on his argument to those which are more necessary and useful; and says that not in the harp alone, but in the trumpet also one may see this effect produced. For in that also there are certain measures; and they give out at one time a warlike note, and at another one that is not so; and again sometimes it leads out to line of battle and at others recalls from it: and unless one know this, there is great danger. Which is just what he means, and the mischief of it what he is manifesting, when he says, “who shall prepare himself for war?” So then, if it have not this quality, it is the ruin of all. “And what is this to us,” says one? Truly it concerns you very especially; wherefore also he adds,