1 Corinthians 14 17

1 Corinthians 14:17 kjv

For thou verily givest thanks well, but the other is not edified.

1 Corinthians 14:17 nkjv

For you indeed give thanks well, but the other is not edified.

1 Corinthians 14:17 niv

You are giving thanks well enough, but no one else is edified.

1 Corinthians 14:17 esv

For you may be giving thanks well enough, but the other person is not being built up.

1 Corinthians 14:17 nlt

You will be giving thanks very well, but it won't strengthen the people who hear you.

1 Corinthians 14 verses

1 Corinthians 14 17 Meaning

This verse explains that while a believer might genuinely and appropriately give thanks to God in tongues (praying "well" from their individual perspective and for their spiritual benefit), this act of worship does not contribute to the spiritual building up (edification) of others in the gathered assembly because it is not understood by them. Paul emphasizes that the benefit of public spiritual expression lies in its intelligibility and ability to build up the entire community of believers, not merely the individual exercising the gift.

1 Corinthians 14 17 Context

First Corinthians Chapter 14 directly addresses the proper order and use of spiritual gifts, particularly tongues and prophecy, within the church assembly. Paul's primary concern throughout the chapter is the edification (building up) of the entire Christian community. The Corinthians were exercising spiritual gifts, but sometimes in a disorderly and self-serving manner that failed to benefit the broader congregation. Specifically, this verse (14:17) forms part of Paul's argument about praying and giving thanks in tongues without interpretation. While one might personally express genuine gratitude to God (v. 16), the absence of interpretation means those listening cannot understand or join in, thereby hindering the corporate benefit and worship experience. The immediate historical context involves addressing excesses in Corinthian worship that prioritized individual ecstatic experience over communal intelligibility and order, directly polemicizing against practices that brought confusion rather than Christ-like edification to the gatherings.

1 Corinthians 14 17 Word analysis

• For (γὰρ - gar): A conjunction used here to provide an explanation or reason for the preceding statement, specifically Paul's emphasis in verse 16 on the congregation being unable to say "Amen" to an incomprehensible prayer. It signifies "because" or "indeed."
• you (ὑμεῖς - hymeis): This is the plural form of "you," addressing the Corinthian believers collectively, indicating Paul's concern for the church body.
• are giving thanks (εὐχαριστεῖς - eucharisteis): From the verb εὐχαριστέω (eucharisteo), meaning "to be thankful," "to give thanks." This is where the term "Eucharist" (communion/Lord's Supper) originates, emphasizing a profound act of gratitude and worship. Here, it denotes an act of prayer expressed in tongues.
• well (καλῶς - kalōs): This adverb means "beautifully," "excellently," "properly," or "well." In this context, it acknowledges the speaker's sincerity and the potentially proper form of thanksgiving directed towards God. However, it implicitly carries the nuance of "well enough for yourself or God, but not well enough for the community." It signifies something that is intrinsically good or correctly done from one perspective, but falls short in another crucial area (edification of others).
• but (ἀλλὰ - alla): A strong adversative conjunction, meaning "but," "on the contrary," or "yet." It introduces a sharp contrast to the previous clause, highlighting the crucial deficiency despite the initial positive affirmation.
• the other person (ὁ ἕτερος - ho heteros): Literally "the other one." It specifically refers to another individual within the worshipping assembly, distinct from the one speaking in tongues. It underscores the interpersonal aspect of communal worship.
• is not edified (οὐκ οἰκοδομεῖται - ouk oikodomeitai):
  • οὐκ (ouk): The common Greek negative particle, meaning "not."
  • οἰκοδομεῖται (oikodomeitai): The passive form of the verb οἰκοδομέω (oikodomeo), meaning "to build a house," and metaphorically, "to build up," "to strengthen," "to instruct," "to encourage," or "to edify." It is a foundational term in Paul's theology for spiritual growth and maturity within the church. In the passive voice, it means "is not being built up" or "is not benefiting from spiritual construction."

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "For you are giving thanks well": This phrase validates the personal, spiritual act of thanksgiving in tongues. It acknowledges that from the perspective of the speaker and God, such an expression is acceptable and potentially commendable. It avoids condemning the act itself. The problem is not the substance of the gratitude, but its unintelligibility in a communal setting.
• "but the other person is not edified": This clause provides the critical qualification and highlights the fundamental problem. The "well" is negated by the lack of edification. It powerfully articulates Paul's guiding principle for the exercise of all spiritual gifts in the church: they must serve to build up, instruct, or encourage others. If an act of worship, no matter how sincere, fails to do this for the assembly, it is not properly aligned with the purpose of spiritual gifts within the corporate gathering. This creates a direct contrast between individual benefit and communal good, emphasizing the latter in public worship.

1 Corinthians 14 17 Bonus section

The tension highlighted in 1 Corinthians 14:17 – between individual spiritual expression and corporate edification – is a recurring theme in Paul's pastoral epistles. It teaches a crucial balance: while God desires authentic individual worship, public expressions of faith must also serve the collective good. This is not about diminishing the power or validity of spiritual gifts but rather channeling them for maximum fruitfulness within the gathered community. The verse, therefore, implicitly sets a boundary: the freedom of individual spiritual manifestation is limited by its impact on the edification of the assembly. This concept can be applied broadly, beyond spiritual gifts, to all aspects of corporate worship and community life within the church, where individual preferences should often yield to the pursuit of the common good and the spiritual growth of all members.

1 Corinthians 14 17 Commentary

1 Corinthians 14:17 acts as a concise summary of Paul's teaching regarding the exercise of tongues in public worship: while an individual's thanksgiving in tongues is inherently good and directed towards God, its personal virtue does not automatically translate into communal benefit. Paul acknowledges the authenticity of the spiritual act, using "well" (καλῶς) to affirm that the speaker is indeed engaged in genuine worship. However, this private edification (as noted in 1 Cor 14:4) does not extend to "the other person," meaning fellow believers in the assembly, because unintelligible speech cannot instruct, comfort, or build them up spiritually. The verse underscores the imperative for intelligibility and consideration for others in the public gathering of believers. The underlying principle is that all spiritual expressions in the church must be for the mutual building up and growth of the Body of Christ, making edification the supreme measure of spiritual gifts' proper function.