Bugle is the word also chosen by An American Translation, Phillips, New American Bible, New Revised Standard Version, and Barclay. It fits in well with the military reference of this verse, but implies a modern setting, as bugles were not in use in New Testament times. For this reason all other translations consulted have “trumpet.” This is the word chosen by Good News Bible in all other places where this Greek word is used (for example, 15.51-52).

Indistinct here refers to something not clearly heard. One may say “If the bugle gives a sound that is not clearly heard…” or “… does not play a distinct sound….”

Get ready may have a general meaning, as in Good News Bible‘s “prepare,” or the more specific idea of a soldier getting his equipment together. Barrett even suggests the translation “who will arm himself for battle?”

One may render for battle as “to fight a battle.”

Quoted with permission from Ellingworth, Paul and Hatton, Howard A. A Handbook on Paul’s First Letter to the Corinthians, 2nd edition. (UBS Handbook Series). New York: UBS, 1985/1994. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .