Devine Scripture

1 Corinthians 14:17

What does 1 Corinthians 14:17 mean?

A plain-English look at 1 Corinthians 14:17 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What 1 Corinthians 14:17 means

Paul grants that a person speaking in a tongue may well give thanks in a worthy way; the problem is not sincerity but accessibility. Others in the meeting are not strengthened because they cannot understand. The standard remains: does this build the church? Spiritual authenticity is not enough in corporate worship if meaning is missing. Paul’s argument honors individual devotion while firmly directing public practice toward the common good. The verse urges believers to evaluate their contributions not only by personal benefit or intention, but by the actual edification they produce in others who are listening and seeking to join in praise and learning.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

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

KJV

King James Version · 1611

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

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

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

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

For your giving of the blessing is certainly well done, but of no profit to the man without knowledge.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

for thou, indeed, dost give thanks well, but the other is not built up!

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

For thou indeed givest thanks well: but the other is not edified.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

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

Context

This statement follows the concern about saying Amen, conceding the tongue-speaker’s genuine thanksgiving yet pointing out the lack of edification for others. It strengthens the case for intelligibility in worship. Next, Paul will testify that he himself speaks in tongues more than all of them, demonstrating he is not dismissing the gift. Yet in the assembly he chooses clear, minimal words over a flood of unintelligible speech. This contrast culminates the first major section of the chapter, showing love’s preference for what benefits the many, and paving the way for instructions about order in congregational participation.

v.16Else if thou bless with the spirit, how shall he that filleth the place of the unlearned say the Amen at thy giving of thanks, seeing he knoweth not what thou sayest?

v.17This passage

v.18I thank God, I speak with tongues more than you all:

Cross references

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

  • 1 Corinthians 14:6

    But now, brethren, if I come unto you speaking with tongues, what shall I profit you, unless I speak to you either by way of revelation, or of knowledge, or of prophesying, or of teaching?

  • 1 Corinthians 14:4

    He that speaketh in a tongue edifieth himself; but he that prophesieth edifieth the church.

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