1 Corinthians 11:17 kjv
Now in this that I declare unto you I praise you not, that ye come together not for the better, but for the worse.
1 Corinthians 11:17 nkjv
Now in giving these instructions I do not praise you, since you come together not for the better but for the worse.
1 Corinthians 11:17 niv
In the following directives I have no praise for you, for your meetings do more harm than good.
1 Corinthians 11:17 esv
But in the following instructions I do not commend you, because when you come together it is not for the better but for the worse.
1 Corinthians 11:17 nlt
But in the following instructions, I cannot praise you. For it sounds as if more harm than good is done when you meet together.
1 Corinthians 11 17 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Cor 11:17 | "Now in this that I declare unto you I praise you not, that ye come together..." | Expresses disappointment with a practice |
| 1 Cor 11:18 | "For first of all, when ye come together in the church, I hear there be..." | Highlights disunity within the church |
| 1 Cor 11:20 | "When ye come together therefore into one place, this is not to eat the Lord's..." | Contrasts their assembly with the true Lord's Supper |
| 1 Cor 11:21 | "For every one taketh before other his own supper: and one is hungry, and..." | Describes specific instances of misconduct |
| 1 Cor 11:22 | "What? have ye not houses to eat and to drink in? or despise ye the..." | Questions their lack of propriety and respect |
| 1 Cor 11:23 | "For I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, That..." | Refers to the institution of the Lord's Supper |
| 1 Cor 11:27 | "Wherefore whosoever shall eat this bread, and drink this cup of the Lord..." | Warns against unworthy reception |
| 1 Cor 11:28 | "But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and..." | Exhorts self-examination |
| 1 Cor 11:29 | "For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation..." | States consequences of unworthiness |
| 1 Cor 11:30 | "For this cause many are weak and sickly among you, and many sleep." | Links misconduct to physical repercussions |
| 1 Cor 11:33 | "Wherefore, my brethren, when ye come together to eat, tarry one for another." | Calls for order and mutual consideration |
| Gal 5:14 | "For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy..." | Emphasizes love as the fulfillment of the law |
| Eph 4:1-3 | "I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the..." | Exhorts unity and humility |
| Phil 2:3-4 | "Let nothing be done through strife or vain glory; but in meekness of mind let..." | Encourages looking to the needs of others |
| Col 3:12-14 | "Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies..." | Describes the characteristics of a transformed life |
| Rom 13:13 | "Let us walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting and drunkenness, not in..." | Advises against disruptive behavior |
| 1 Cor 10:16 | "The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of..." | Connects the cup to communion with Christ |
| 1 Cor 10:17 | "For we being many are one bread, and one body: for we are all partakers of..." | Highlights unity in the body of Christ |
| Matt 26:26 | "And as they did eat, Jesus took bread, and blessed it, and brake it, and gave..." | Records the institution of the Lord's Supper |
| Mark 14:22 | "And as they did eat, Jesus took bread, and blessed it, and brake it, and gave..." | Records the institution of the Lord's Supper |
| Luke 22:19 | "And he took bread, and gave thanks, and brake it, and gave unto them, saying..." | Records the institution of the Lord's Supper |
| John 6:53 | "Then Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except ye eat the..." | Discusses spiritual nourishment in Christ |
1 Corinthians 11 verses
1 Corinthians 11 17 Meaning
The apostle Paul is addressing the Corinthian believers regarding their practice of the Lord's Supper. He declares that their gatherings for this sacred meal are not resulting in their spiritual betterment, but rather are proving detrimental, even "not for the better." This implies their communal worship is disorganized and dishonoring to the body and blood of Christ, leading to division and spiritual harm.
1 Corinthians 11 17 Context
This verse is situated within a larger discussion by Paul in 1 Corinthians 11, specifically addressing disorderly conduct during Christian assemblies, particularly the Lord's Supper. The Corinthian church, a young and vibrant assembly in a prosperous but morally lax city, was struggling with social divisions and pride, which manifested in their communal meals and worship. Paul begins by praising them for their adherence to traditions but immediately pivots to critique a serious deficiency he has learned about concerning their gatherings. He contrasts their practice with the solemn institution of the Lord's Supper by Jesus himself, emphasizing that their current mode of assembly is not conducive to spiritual edification but leads to judgment.
1 Corinthians 11 17 Word Analysis
- "Now" (νῦν - nyn): Indicates immediate commencement or transition, highlighting the current state of affairs.
- "in this that I declare unto you" (ταῦτα ὅ Vg.): Refers to the specific instruction or affirmation that follows. It points to Paul's assessment of their assembly.
- "I praise you not" (οὐκ ἐπαινῶ – ouk epainō): A strong negative statement meaning "I do not praise," indicating disapproval. This directly contrasts with a previous positive affirmation of their faithfulness (v. 2).
- "that" (ὅτι – hoti): Introduces the reason for the lack of praise.
- "ye come together" (συ νέρχεσθε – sy nerchesthe): Refers to their meeting as a collective body, their assembly.
- "in the church" (εἰς ἐκκλησίαν – eis ekklēsian): Specifies the location or nature of their gathering as a convened Christian community.
- "not for the better" (πὶ τὸ χεῖρον – epi to cheiron): Literally "towards the worse," indicating a detrimental outcome, a worsening of their spiritual state rather than improvement.
Word Group Analysis:
- "Now in this that I declare unto you I praise you not": This entire phrase signifies Paul’s direct and authoritative critique. He is not praising their assembly because of what he is about to explain, highlighting a significant spiritual deficit despite other areas of their faithfulness.
1 Corinthians 11 17 Bonus Section
The negative phrasing "I praise you not" and the outcome "not for the better" are crucial. They reveal that even with correct doctrine or spiritual gifts, poor practice and a lack of love can render the assembly detrimental. The contrast implies that when Christians come together, the manner of their coming is as significant as the fact that they do come. The issues in Corinth likely included elements of pride, selfishness, and disregard for the poor, mirroring the divisiveness already noted earlier in the chapter concerning head coverings. This demonstrates a pattern of unmet expectations in Corinthian communal life and worship, which Paul diligently addresses by reminding them of the divinely ordained nature and purpose of the Lord's Supper.
1 Corinthians 11 17 Commentary
Paul's declaration is sharp and aimed at correcting a serious error. He has observed that the Corinthians' gatherings for the Lord's Supper are counterproductive. Instead of strengthening their fellowship and glorifying God, their disordered practices are actually damaging them spiritually. This is a strong admonition against carelessness and social stratification within worship. Their meeting together is not yielding spiritual profit, but rather spiritual loss, emphasizing the vital importance of right conduct in sacred assemblies.
Practical Usage Examples:
- When church members prioritize personal comfort over corporate worship and unity.
- When social divisions and cliques undermine fellowship during sacred meals or gatherings.
- When the spirit of Christ's love is absent in communal religious observances.