1 Corinthians 14:16

Translations

Modern

Otherwise, if you speak a blessing in spirit, how can someone who is uninstructed say “Amen” to your thanksgiving, since he does not know what you are saying?

Traditional

Else when thou shalt bless with the spirit, how shall he that occupieth the room of the unlearned say Amen at thy giving of thanks, seeing he understandeth not what thou sayest?

Literal

Otherwise, if you bless with the spirit, how will the one filling up the place of the uninstructed say the “Amen” to your thanksgiving, since he does not know what you say?

Latin

Ceterum si benedixeris spiritu, qui supplet locum idiotæ, quomodo dicet: Amen, super tuam benedictionem? quoniam quid dicas, nescit.

Original

Greek

English

Otherwise, if you speak a blessing in spirit, how can someone who is uninstructed say “Amen” to your thanksgiving, since he does not know what you are saying?

Notes

1 Corinthians 14:15–17

It is better to worship with both spirit and understandable words. Public worship should bless God and others. Speaking in tongues without interpretation glorifies God and helps the speaker (14:4), but it does not help others present.
say “Amen” to your thanksgiving: Amen was the traditional response to a prayer.

1 Corinthians 14:1–25

After highlighting the supreme importance of love (chapter 13), Paul discusses spiritual gifts again. He defines their value by how much they help others, which reflects love (chapter 13). With this in mind, Paul compares the overvalued gift of speaking in tongues with the more helpful gift of prophecy.

1 Corinthians 12:1–14:40

The church in Corinth focused too much on the gift of speaking in tongues (see 14:1–25, 27; compare the lists in 12:8–10, 28, where Paul lists tongues last). Paul offers advice to correct their understanding of the value and use of spiritual gifts.

Theme notes and profiles

Paul (Saul) Pure Worship The Gift of Prophecy The Holy Spirit’s Work

Related verses

1 Chronicles 16:36
Blessed be the LORD, the God of Israel, from everlasting to everlasting.” Then all the people said, “Amen!” and “Praise the LORD!”
Psalm 106:48
Blessed be the LORD, the God of Israel, from everlasting to everlasting. Let all the people say, “Amen!” Hallelujah!
Revelation 5:14
And the four living creatures said, “Amen,” and the elders fell down and worshiped.
Nehemiah 8:6
Then Ezra blessed the LORD, the great God, and with their hands uplifted, all the people said, “Amen, Amen!” Then they bowed down and worshiped the LORD with their faces to the ground.
Deuteronomy 27:15–26
‘Cursed is the man who makes a carved idol or molten image—an abomination to the LORD, the work of the hands of a craftsman—and sets it up in secret.’ And let all the people say, ‘Amen!’
1 Corinthians 11:24
…and when He had given thanks, He broke it and said, “This is My body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of Me.”
Jeremiah 28:6
“Amen!” Jeremiah said. “May the LORD do so! May the LORD fulfill the words you have prophesied, and may He restore the articles of His house and all the exiles back to this place from Babylon.
Revelation 7:12
…saying, “Amen! Blessing and glory and wisdom and thanks and honor and power and strength be to our God forever and ever! Amen.”
Numbers 5:22
May this water that brings a curse enter your stomach and cause your belly to swell and your thigh to shrivel.’ Then the woman is to say, ‘Amen, Amen.’
1 Kings 1:36
“Amen,” replied Benaiah son of Jehoiada. “May the LORD, the God of my lord the king, so declare it.
Psalm 89:52
Blessed be the LORD forever! Amen and amen.
1 Corinthians 14:2
For he who speaks in a tongue does not speak to men, but to God. Indeed, no one understands him; he utters mysteries in the Spirit.

Glossary

Amen Bible, Manuscripts and Text of the (New Testament) Charismata Church Meetings First Letter to the Corinthians Mind Music Mystery Prophecy Spirit of God

Topics

Amen used in Prayer Interpretation of Foreign Tongues Language: Speaking in Inspired |Tongues| Forbidden Praying out Loud Preaching: Unclassified Scriptures Relating To Public Prayer: should not be Made in an Unknown Language Tongues (The Gift): The Miraculous Gift Granted to some Early Christians Worship: Unclassified Scriptures Relating To

1 Corinthians 14:16

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