Devine Scripture

1 Corinthians 11:17

What does 1 Corinthians 11:17 mean?

A plain-English look at 1 Corinthians 11:17 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What 1 Corinthians 11:17 means

Paul now withholds praise. Their gatherings do more harm than good. The assembly, designed for edification and unity, has become an occasion for sin and division. This sobering assessment tells the Corinthians that worship can be profaned when selfishness rules. The church must never assume that simply meeting together pleases God. Purpose, love, and order matter. Paul’s bluntness signals the gravity of what follows. He will show that the very meal meant to proclaim Christ’s sacrifice has been distorted into a venue for status and indulgence, bringing judgment rather than blessing.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

But in giving you this charge, I praise you not, that ye come together not for the better but for the worse.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

Now in this that I declare unto you I praise you not, that ye come together not for the better, but for the worse.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

But in giving you this charge, I praise you not, that ye come together not for the better but for the worse.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

But in giving you this order, there is one thing about which I am not pleased: it is that when you come together it is not for the better but for the worse.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

And this declaring, I give no praise, because not for the better, but for the worse ye come together;

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

Now this I ordain: not praising you, that you come together, not for the better, but for the worse.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

But [in] prescribing [to you on] this [which I now enter on], I do not praise, [namely,] that ye come together, not for the better, but for the worse.

Context

With the head-covering issue concluded, Paul turns to a second problem. The tone shifts from measured instruction to sharp correction. Verses 18–22 will describe the divisions and abuses at their meals. Paul will then recall the institution of the Lord’s Supper (verses 23–26) to re-anchor its meaning in Christ’s command and saving death, before warning of the dangers of unworthy participation and calling for self-examination (verses 27–34).

v.16But if any man seemeth to be contentious, we have no such custom, neither the churches of God.

v.17This passage

v.18For first of all, when ye come together in the church, I hear that divisions exist among you; and I partly believe it.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Jeremiah 7:9

    Will ye steal, murder, and commit adultery, and swear falsely, and burn incense unto Baal, and walk after other gods that ye have not known,

  • 1 Corinthians 14:26

    What is it then, brethren? When ye come together, each one hath a psalm, hath a teaching, hath a revelation, hath a tongue, hath an interpretation. Let all things be done unto edifying.

  • 1 Corinthians 11:2

    Now I praise you that ye remember me in all things, and hold fast the traditions, even as I delivered them to you.

  • 1 Corinthians 11:34

    If any man is hungry, let him eat at home; that your coming together be not unto judgment. And the rest will I set in order whensoever I come.

  • Leviticus 19:17

    Thou shalt not hate thy brother in thy heart: thou shalt surely rebuke thy neighbor, and not bear sin because of him.

  • 1 Peter 2:14

    or unto governors, as sent by him for vengeance on evil-doers and for praise to them that do well.

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