1 Corinthians 14:16
New International Version
Otherwise when you are praising God in the Spirit, how can someone else, who is now put in the position of an inquirer, say “Amen” to your thanksgiving, since they do not know what you are saying?

New Living Translation
For if you praise God only in the spirit, how can those who don’t understand you praise God along with you? How can they join you in giving thanks when they don’t understand what you are saying?

English Standard Version
Otherwise, if you give thanks with your spirit, how can anyone in the position of an outsider say “Amen” to your thanksgiving when he does not know what you are saying?

Berean Standard Bible
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?

Berean Literal Bible
Otherwise if you bless with the spirit, how will the one filling the place of the uninstructed say the "Amen" at your thanksgiving, since he knows not what you say?

King James Bible
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?

New King James Version
Otherwise, if you bless with the spirit, how will he who occupies the place of the uninformed say “Amen” at your giving of thanks, since he does not understand what you say?

New American Standard Bible
For otherwise, if you bless God in the spirit only, how will the one who occupies the place of the outsider know to say the “Amen” at your giving of thanks, since he does not understand what you are saying?

NASB 1995
Otherwise if you bless in the spirit only, how will the one who fills the place of the ungifted say the “Amen “ at your giving of thanks, since he does not know what you are saying?

NASB 1977
Otherwise if you bless in the spirit only, how will the one who fills the place of the ungifted say the “Amen” at your giving of thanks, since he does not know what you are saying?

Legacy Standard Bible
Otherwise if you bless in the spirit only, how will the one who fills the place of the uninformed say the “Amen” at your giving of thanks, since he does not know what you are saying?

Amplified Bible
Otherwise if you bless [and give thanks to God] in the spirit only, how will any outsider or someone who is not gifted [in spiritual matters] say the “Amen” [of agreement] to your thanksgiving, since he does not know what you are saying?

Christian Standard Bible
Otherwise, if you praise with the spirit, how will the outsider say “Amen” at your giving of thanks, since he does not know what you are saying?

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Otherwise, if you praise with the spirit, how will the uninformed person say “Amen” at your giving of thanks, since he does not know what you are saying?

American Standard Version
Else 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?

Contemporary English Version
Suppose some strangers are in your worship service, when you are praising God with your spirit. If they don't understand you, how will they know to say, "Amen"?

English Revised Version
Else 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?

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Otherwise, if you praise God only with your spirit, how can outsiders say "Amen!" to your prayer of thanksgiving? They don't know what you're saying.

Good News Translation
When you give thanks to God in spirit only, how can ordinary people taking part in the meeting say "Amen" to your prayer of thanksgiving? They have no way of knowing what you are saying.

International Standard Version
Otherwise, if you say a blessing with your spirit, how can an otherwise uneducated person say "Amen" to your thanksgiving, since he does not know what you're saying?

Majority Standard Bible
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?

NET Bible
Otherwise, if you are praising God with your spirit, how can someone without the gift say "Amen" to your thanksgiving, since he does not know what you are saying?

New Heart English Bible
Otherwise if you bless with the spirit, how will he who fills the place of the unlearned say the "Amen" at your giving of thanks, seeing he does not know what you say?

Webster's Bible Translation
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?

Weymouth New Testament
Otherwise, if you bless God in spirit only, how shall he who is in the position of an ungifted man say the 'Amen' to your giving of thanks, when he does not know what your words mean?

World English Bible
Otherwise, if you bless with the spirit, how will he who fills the place of the unlearned say the “Amen” at your giving of thanks, seeing he doesn’t know what you say?
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
since, if you may bless in spirit, he who is filling the place of the commoner, how will he say the Amen at your giving of thanks, since he has not known what you say?

Berean Literal Bible
Otherwise if you bless with the spirit, how will the one filling the place of the uninstructed say the "Amen" at your thanksgiving, since he knows not what you say?

Young's Literal Translation
since, if thou mayest bless with the spirit, he who is filling the place of the unlearned, how shall he say the Amen at thy giving of thanks, since what thou dost say he hath not known?

Smith's Literal Translation
When if thou praise in the spirit, how shall he filling the place of the private individual say Amen at thy thanksgiving) since he knows not what thou sayest.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Else if thou shalt bless with the spirit, how shall he that holdeth the place of the unlearned say, Amen, to thy blessing ? because he knoweth not what thou sayest.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Otherwise, if you have blessed only with the spirit, how can someone, in a state of ignorance, add an “Amen” to your blessing? For he does not know what you are saying.

New American Bible
Otherwise, if you pronounce a blessing [with] the spirit, how shall one who holds the place of the uninstructed say the “Amen” to your thanksgiving, since he does not know what you are saying?

New Revised Standard Version
Otherwise, if you say a blessing with the spirit, how can anyone in the position of an outsider say the “Amen” to your thanksgiving, since the outsider does not know what you are saying?
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Otherwise, if you say a blessing with the spirit, how can one who occupies the place of the unlearned say Amen to your thanksgiving, since he does not understand what you say?

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
Otherwise, if you say a blessing in The Spirit, how will he who fills the place of the unlearned say amen for your giving of thanks, because he does not know what you said?
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
Otherwise, if you bless with the spirit that is given to you, how will he that occupies the place of the unlearned man say Amen, when you give thanks, since he understands not what you say?

Godbey New Testament
Since if you may bless with the spirit, how will one occupying the place of the unlearned say Amen to your blessing? since he does not know what you are saying.

Haweis New Testament
Else, though thou bless God in spirit, how shall he who filleth the place of an illiterate man, say Amen after thy thanksgiving, seeing he knoweth not what thou sayest?

Mace New Testament
otherwise if you should give thanks by the spirit in an unknown tongue, the hearer cannot but appear unlearned upon this occasion; how then can he say Amen to thy thanksgiving? since he does not conceive what you say.

Weymouth New Testament
Otherwise, if you bless God in spirit only, how shall he who is in the position of an ungifted man say the 'Amen' to your giving of thanks, when he does not know what your words mean?

Worrell New Testament
Else, if you are blessing with the spirit, how will he who fills the place of the unlearned say the "Amen" at your giving of thanks, since he knows not what you say?

Worsley New Testament
For if thou bless in the spirit, how shall the unlearned say Amen to thy thanksgiving, when he knoweth not what thou sayst?

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Prophecy and Tongues
15What then shall I do? I will pray with my spirit, but I will also pray with my mind. I will sing with my spirit, but I will also sing with my mind. 16Otherwise, 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? 17You may be giving thanks well enough, but the other one is not edified.…

Cross References
Romans 14:6
He who observes a special day does so to the Lord; he who eats does so to the Lord, for he gives thanks to God; and he who abstains does so to the Lord and gives thanks to God.

Ephesians 5:20
always giving thanks to God the Father for everything in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Colossians 3:16-17
Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. / And whatever you do, in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.

1 Timothy 2:8
Therefore I want the men everywhere to pray, lifting up holy hands, without anger or dissension.

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.”

Matthew 15:36
Taking the seven loaves and the fish, He gave thanks and broke them. Then He gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the people.

Acts 27:35
After he had said this, Paul took bread and gave thanks to God in front of them all. Then he broke it and began to eat.

1 Thessalonians 5:18
Give thanks in every circumstance, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

Hebrews 13:15
Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise, the fruit of lips that confess His name.

Psalm 100:4
Enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise; give thanks to Him and bless His name.

Psalm 95:2
Let us enter His presence with thanksgiving; let us make a joyful noise to Him in song.

Psalm 50:14
Sacrifice a thank offering to God, and fulfill your vows to the Most High.

Psalm 69:30
I will praise God’s name in song and exalt Him with thanksgiving.

Psalm 107:22
Let them offer sacrifices of thanksgiving and declare His works with rejoicing.

Psalm 116:17
I will offer to You a sacrifice of thanksgiving and call on the name of the LORD.


Treasury of Scripture

Else when you shall bless with the spirit, how shall he that occupies the room of the unlearned say Amen at your giving of thanks, seeing he understands not what you say?

bless.

1 Corinthians 14:2,14
For he that speaketh in an unknown tongue speaketh not unto men, but unto God: for no man understandeth him; howbeit in the spirit he speaketh mysteries…

unlearned.

1 Corinthians 14:23,24
If therefore the whole church be come together into one place, and all speak with tongues, and there come in those that are unlearned, or unbelievers, will they not say that ye are mad? …

Isaiah 29:11,12
And the vision of all is become unto you as the words of a book that is sealed, which men deliver to one that is learned, saying, Read this, I pray thee: and he saith, I cannot; for it is sealed: …

John 7:15
And the Jews marvelled, saying, How knoweth this man letters, having never learned?

Amen.

1 Corinthians 11:24
And when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me.

1 Corinthians 16:24
My love be with you all in Christ Jesus. Amen.

Numbers 5:22
And this water that causeth the curse shall go into thy bowels, to make thy belly to swell, and thy thigh to rot: And the woman shall say, Amen, amen.

at.

1 Corinthians 1:4-8
I thank my God always on your behalf, for the grace of God which is given you by Jesus Christ; …

Jump to Previous
Amen Bless Blessest Blessing Christian Filleth Fills Finds Mean Occupieth Otherwise Outsider Position Praising Prayer Room Simple Spirit Thanks Thanksgiving Understandeth Ungifted Unlearned Words
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Amen Bless Blessest Blessing Christian Filleth Fills Finds Mean Occupieth Otherwise Outsider Position Praising Prayer Room Simple Spirit Thanks Thanksgiving Understandeth Ungifted Unlearned Words
1 Corinthians 14
1. Prophecy is commended,
2. and preferred before speaking in tongues,
6. by a comparison drawn from musical instruments.
12. Both must be referred to edification,
22. as to their true and proper end.
26. The true use of each is taught,
27. and the abuse rebuked.
34. Women in the churches.














Otherwise, if you speak a blessing in spirit
This phrase addresses the practice of speaking in tongues, a spiritual gift mentioned in 1 Corinthians 12:10. In the early church, speaking in tongues was a sign of the Holy Spirit's presence and power. However, Paul emphasizes the importance of intelligibility in worship. The "blessing in spirit" refers to a prayer or praise offered in a language unknown to the congregation. This practice, while spiritually edifying for the speaker, may not benefit others unless interpreted (1 Corinthians 14:13). The emphasis is on edification of the church body, aligning with Paul's broader teaching on spiritual gifts being used for the common good (1 Corinthians 12:7).

how can someone who is uninstructed say “Amen” to your thanksgiving
The term "uninstructed" refers to those who are not familiar with the practice of speaking in tongues or who are new to the faith. In Jewish and early Christian worship, saying "Amen" was a way for the congregation to agree with and affirm a prayer or statement (Nehemiah 8:6). If the words spoken are not understood, the uninstructed cannot participate fully in the worship experience. This highlights the communal aspect of worship, where understanding and mutual edification are prioritized (1 Corinthians 14:26).

since he does not know what you are saying?
Understanding is crucial for participation in worship. Paul stresses that spiritual gifts should be exercised in a way that builds up the church (1 Corinthians 14:12). The lack of understanding creates a barrier to communal worship and fellowship. This concern for clarity and edification is consistent with Paul's teachings elsewhere, such as in Romans 14:19, where he encourages believers to pursue what leads to peace and mutual edification. The emphasis is on love and consideration for others, reflecting the character of Christ, who sought to include and uplift all believers.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Paul the Apostle
The author of 1 Corinthians, addressing the church in Corinth regarding the use of spiritual gifts, particularly speaking in tongues.

2. The Church in Corinth
A diverse and spiritually gifted congregation facing issues of order and understanding in worship.

3. Ungifted Person
Refers to someone who does not possess the gift of interpretation or understanding of tongues, thus unable to participate fully in the worship experience.

4. Speaking in Spirit
The act of speaking in tongues, a spiritual gift that requires interpretation for communal edification.

5. Amen
A Hebrew word meaning "truly" or "so be it," used to express agreement or affirmation in a communal setting.
Teaching Points
The Importance of Edification
Spiritual gifts, including speaking in tongues, should be used for the edification of the church. Without understanding, the church cannot be built up.

The Role of Understanding in Worship
Worship should be accessible to all participants. If someone cannot understand what is being said, they cannot fully participate or affirm the message.

The Power of Communal Affirmation
The word "Amen" signifies agreement and unity in the body of Christ. It is important for all members to understand and affirm the truths being proclaimed.

Order in Worship
Paul emphasizes the need for order in worship services. This includes ensuring that spiritual expressions are interpreted so that all can benefit.

Inclusivity in Spiritual Practices
The church should strive to include all members in spiritual practices by ensuring clarity and understanding, fostering a sense of community and shared faith.(16) Else when thou shalt bless with the spirit.--In this and the following verse the Apostle speaks in the second person, for they refer, not to his practice, but to that of some in Corinth. Their conduct and its results are introduced parenthetically here, in contrast with what he is laying down as his own earnest desire and practice.

He that occupieth the room of the unlearned.--Better, he that is in the position of a private individual; as we should say, a "layman"--the one who comes as a private person to the assembly, and does not lead the prayer and thanksgiving. How can he say "Amen" when he does not know what is being said? and he cannot know if you speak in a tongue, without interpreting. It would seem from this verse that from the earliest apostolic times the practice has been for the congregation to join in the thanksgiving by uttering "Amen" (the Hebrew "So be it") at the conclusion.

Verse 16. - That occupieth the room of the unlearned; that is, "one in the position of an ordinary worshipper, who has no spiritual gifts." An idiotes is a private person; one who does not possess the skill or the knowledge which is immediately in question. Say Amen; rather, say the Amen. The custom of ratifying prayer and praises with the "Amen" of hearty assent and participation existed in the Jewish (Deuteronomy 27:15. Nehemiah 5:13; Revelation 5:14; Philo, 'Fragm.,' p. 630) as well as in the Christian Church (Justin Martyr, 'Apol.,' 2:97). The sound of the loud unanimous "Amen" of early Christian congregations is compared to the echo of distant thunder.

"Et resonaturum ferit aethera vocibus Amen." Being the answer of the congregation, the "Amen" was regarded as no less important than the prayer itself.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
Otherwise,
ἐπεὶ (epei)
Conjunction
Strong's 1893: Of time: when, after; of cause: since, because; otherwise: else. From epi and ei; thereupon, i.e. Since.

if
ἐὰν (ean)
Conjunction
Strong's 1437: If. From ei and an; a conditional particle; in case that, provided, etc.

you speak a blessing
εὐλογῇς (eulogēs)
Verb - Present Subjunctive Active - 2nd Person Singular
Strong's 2127: (lit: I speak well of) I bless; pass: I am blessed. From a compound of eu and logos; to speak well of, i.e. to bless.

in
ἐν (en)
Preposition
Strong's 1722: In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; 'in, ' at, on, by, etc.

spirit,
πνεύματι (pneumati)
Noun - Dative Neuter Singular
Strong's 4151: Wind, breath, spirit.

how
πῶς (pōs)
Adverb
Strong's 4459: Adverb from the base of pou; an interrogative particle of manner; in what way?; also as exclamation, how much!

{can} [someone]
(ho)
Article - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

who is uninstructed
ἰδιώτου (idiōtou)
Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular
Strong's 2399: From idios; a private person, i.e. an ignoramus.

say
ἐρεῖ (erei)
Verb - Future Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 2046: Probably a fuller form of rheo; an alternate for epo in certain tenses; to utter, i.e. Speak or say.

“Amen”
Ἀμήν (Amēn)
Hebrew Word
Strong's 281: Of Hebrew origin; properly, firm, i.e. trustworthy; adverbially, surely.

to
ἐπὶ (epi)
Preposition
Strong's 1909: On, to, against, on the basis of, at.

your
σῇ (sē)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Dative Feminine 2nd Person Singular
Strong's 4674: Yours, thy, thine. From su; thine.

thanksgiving,
εὐχαριστίᾳ (eucharistia)
Noun - Dative Feminine Singular
Strong's 2169: Thankfulness, gratitude; giving of thanks, thanksgiving. From eucharistos; gratitude; actively, grateful language.

since
ἐπειδὴ (epeidē)
Conjunction
Strong's 1894: Of time: when, now, after that; of cause: seeing that, forasmuch as. From epei and de; since now, i.e. when, or whereas.

he does not know
οἶδεν (oiden)
Verb - Perfect Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 1492: To know, remember, appreciate.

what
τί (ti)
Interrogative / Indefinite Pronoun - Accusative Neuter Singular
Strong's 5101: Who, which, what, why. Probably emphatic of tis; an interrogative pronoun, who, which or what.

you are saying?
λέγεις (legeis)
Verb - Present Indicative Active - 2nd Person Singular
Strong's 3004: (a) I say, speak; I mean, mention, tell, (b) I call, name, especially in the pass., (c) I tell, command.


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NT Letters: 1 Corinthians 14:16 Otherwise if you bless with the spirit (1 Cor. 1C iC 1Cor i cor icor)
1 Corinthians 14:15
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