1 Corinthians 14:16

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1 Corinthians 14:16 in Multiple Translations

Berean Standard Bible BSB

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?

King James Version KJV

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?

American Standard Version ASV

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?

Bible in Basic English BBE

For if you give a blessing with the spirit, how will the man who has no knowledge say, So be it, after your prayer, seeing that he has not taken in what you are saying?

Free Bible Version FBV

For if you only pray “in the Spirit,” how can ordinary people that don't have understanding say “Amen” after your prayer of thanks, since they haven't a clue what you said?

Geneva Bible 1599 GNV

Else, when thou blessest with the spirit, howe shall hee that occupieth the roome of the vnlearned, say Amen, at thy giuing of thankes, seeing he knoweth not what thou sayest?

Young's Literal Translation YLT

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?

World English Bible WEB

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?

Noah Webster Bible WBS

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?

Douay-Rheims 1899 DRV

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.

Translation for Translators T4T

Suppose that any one of you praises God (OR, thanks God for what he has done), using only your (sg) spirit and not using your mind. Maybe some people will be present who do not know about the abilities that God’s Spirit gives to believers. Because they do not know what you are saying, after you thank God, they will not [RHQ] know when to say “Amen!/I agree!”

Plain English Version PEV

You see, if you only thank God with your spirit, in a special language, other people in the meeting can’t understand what you are saying, so they can’t agree with you and say, “That’s right.”

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Berean Amplified Bible — 1 Corinthians 14:16

BAB

Word Study

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Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.

1 Corinthians 14:16 Interlinear (Deep Study)

BIB

GRK επει εαν ευλογησης τω πνευματι ο αναπληρων τον τοπον του ιδιωτου πως ερει το αμην επι τη ση ευχαριστια επειδη τι λεγεις ουκ οιδεν

επει epei G1893 since Conj

εαν ean G1437 if COND

ευλογησης eulogeō G2127 to praise/bless Verb-AAS-2S

τω ho G3588 the/this/who Art-DSN

πνευματι pneuma G4151 spirit/breath: spirit Noun-DSN

ο ho G3588 the/this/who Art-NSM

αναπληρων anaplēroō G378 to fulfil Verb-PAP-NSM

τον ho G3588 the/this/who Art-ASM

τοπον topos G5117 place Noun-ASM

του ho G3588 the/this/who Art-GSM

ιδιωτου idiōtēs G2399 unlearned Noun-GSM

πως pōs G4459 how?! Adv-I

ερει erō G2046 to say Verb-FAI-3S

το ho G3588 the/this/who Art-ASN

αμην amēn G281 amen Hebrew

επι epi G1909 upon/to/against Prep

τη ho G3588 the/this/who Art-DSF

ση sos G4674 your S-2SDSF

ευχαριστια eucharistia G2169 thankfulness Noun-DSF

επειδη epeidē G1894 since Conj

τι tis G5101 which? Interrog-ASN

λεγεις legō G3004 to say Verb-PAI-2S

ουκ ou G3756 no Particle-N

οιδεν eidō G1492 to perceive: see Verb-RAI-3S

Greek Word Study

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Greek Word Reference — 1 Corinthians 14:16

επει epei G1893 "since" Conj

Since refers to a point in time or a cause, as seen in Matthew 18:32 and 21:46. This word is used to describe a reason or a time. It appears in various Bible passages to introduce a cause or a time.

Definition: ἐπεί conj. (ἐπί, εἰ), when, since; __1. of time, when, after: Luk.7:1 (Rec., WH, mg.). __2. Of cause, since, because: Mat.18:32 21:46 27:6, Mrk.15:42, Luk.1:34, Jhn.13:29 19:31, Act.13:46 (Rec., WH, mg.), 1Co.14:12, 2Co.11:18 13:3, Heb.5:2, 11 6:13 9:17 11:11; ἐ. οὖν, Heb.2:14 4:6. With ellipsis, otherwise, else: Rom.11:6, 22, Heb.9:26; ἐ. ἄρα, 1Co.5:10 7:14; introducing a question, Rom.3:6, 1Co.14:16 15:29, Heb.10:2 (cf. 4Ma.1:33 4Mac 2:7 4Mac 2:10 4Mac 4:24-26).† (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 26 NT verses. KJV: because, else, for that (then, -asmuch as), otherwise, seeing that, since, when See also: 1 Corinthians 5:10; Hebrews 9:26; Hebrews 2:14.

εαν ean G1437 "if" COND

This word means 'if' and is used to show uncertainty or possibility, as in Matthew 6:22 and Romans 2:25, to express conditions or circumstances.

Definition: ἐάν, contr. fr. εἰ ἄν, conditional particle, representing something as "under certain circumstances actual or liable to happen," but not so definitely expected as in the case of εἰ with ind. (Bl., §65, 4; cf. Jhn.13:17, 1Co.7:36), if haply, if; __1. with subjc. (cl.); __(a) pres.: Mat.6:22, Luk.10:6, Jhn.7:17, Rom.2:25, 26 al.; { __(b) aor. (= Lat. fut. pf.): Mat.4:9 16:26 (cf. ptcp. in Luk.9:25; M, Pr., 230), Mrk.3:24, Luk.14:34, Jhn.5:43, Rom.7:2, al.; = cl. εἰ, with opt., Jhn.9:22 11:57, Act.9:2; as Heb. אִם = ὅταν, Jhn.12:32 14:3, I Jhn.2:28 3:2, Heb.3:7" (LXX) . __2. C. indic, (as in late writers, fr. Arist. on; see WH, App., 171; VD, MGr. 2, App., §77; Deiss., BS, 201f., LAE, 155, 254; M, Pr., 168, 187; Bl., §65, 4); __(a) fut.: Mat.18:19 T, Luk.19:40, Act.7:7; __(b) pres.: 1Th.3:8 (see Milligan, in l.). __3. With other particles: ἐ. καί (Bl., §65, 6), Gal.6:1; ἐ. μή (M, Pr., 185, 187; Bl., l.with), with subjc. pres., Mat.10:13, 1Co.8:8, Jas.2:17, 1Jn.3:21; aor., Mat.6:15, Mrk.3:27, Jhn.3:3, Rom.10:15, Gal.1:8 2:16 (see Lft., Ellic., in ll.); ἐ. τε . . . ἐ. τε, [in LXX for אִם . . . אִם, Est.19:13, al.,] Rom.14:8. __4. = cl. ἄν (which see) after relat. pronouns and adverbs (Tdf., Pr., 96; WH, App., 173; M, Pr., 42f.; Bl., §26, 4; Mayser, 152f.; Deiss., BS, 202ff.): ὃς ἐ., Mat.5:19, Mrk.6:22, 23 Luk.17:32, 1Co.6:18, al.; ὅπου ἐ., Mat.8:19; ὁσάκις ἐ., Rev.11:6; οὗ ἐ., 1Co.16:6; καθὸ ἐ., 2Co.8:12; ὅστις ἐ., Gal.5:10. (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 317 NT verses. KJV: before, but, except, (and) if, (if) so, (what-, whither-)soever, though, when (-soever), whether (or), to whom, (who-)so(-ever) See also: 1 Corinthians 4:15; Hebrews 13:23; 1 Peter 3:13.

ευλογησης eulogeō G2127 "to praise/bless" Verb-AAS-2S

To praise or bless someone means to speak well of them, like in Luke 1:64 where Zechariah praises God. It's about thanking or invoking a blessing on someone.

Definition: εὐλογέω, -ῶ [in LXX chiefly for בָּרַךְ pi. ;] __1. to speak well of, praise (cl.; LXX Deu.8:10, al.): τ. θεόν, Luk.1:64 2:28 24:51, 53 (αἰνοῦντες, T, WH, mg.), Jas.3:9; absol., to give praise, Mat.14:19 26:26 (see Swete on Mrk.14:22), Mrk.6:41 14:22 (see Swete, in l), Luk.24:30, 1Co.14:16. __2. As in LXX (= בָּרַךְ pi.); __(a) to bless, invoke blessings on (Gen.24:60, Num.23:20, al.): absol., 1Co.4:12, 1Pe.3:9; with accusative of person(s), Luk.2:34 6:28 24:50-51, Rom.12:14, Heb.7:1, 6-7 11:20-21; εὐλογημένος (= בָּרַךְ; see Lft., Notes, 310; DCG, i, 189), blessed, Mat.21:9 23:39" (LXX), Mrk.11:9-10, Luk.13:35 19:38" (LXX), Jhn.12:13; with accusative of thing(s), Mrk.8:7, Luk.9:16, 1Co.10:16; __(b) with God as subject (Psa.44:3, al.), to bless, prosper, bestow blessings on: with accusative of person(s), Act.3:26, Gal.3:9, Eph.1:3 (Lft., Notes, 311), Heb.6:14; εὐλογημένος, Luk.1:28 (WH, tit., R, tit., omit) Luk.1:42; εὐλογημένοι τ. πατρός (cf. Isa.61:9), Mat.25:34; pass. Act.3:25 (cf. ἐν-, κατ-ευλογέω).† SYN.: see: αἰνέω, and cf. DCG, i, 189, 211; Cremer, 766 (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 40 NT verses. KJV: bless, praise See also: 1 Corinthians 4:12; Luke 6:28; 1 Peter 3:9.

τω ho G3588 "the/this/who" Art-DSN

The Greek word for 'the' or 'this', used to point out a specific person or thing, like in Acts 17:28. It can also mean 'he', 'she', or 'it'.

Definition: ὁ, ἡ, τό, the prepositive article (ἄρθρον προτακτικόν), originally a demonstr. pron. (so usually in Hom.), in general corresponding to the Eng. definite article. __I. As demonstr. pron. __1. As frequently in Hom., absol., he (she, it), his (etc.): Act.17:28 (quoted from the poet Aratus). __2. Distributive, ὁ μὲν . . . ὁ δέ, the one . . . the other: 1Co.7:7, Gal.4:22; pl., Act.14:4, 17:32, Php.1:16, al.; οἱ μὲν . . . ἄλλοι δέ, Mat.16:14, Jhn.7:12; οἱ μεν̀ . . . ὁδέ, Heb.7:21, 23. __3. In narration (without ὁ μὲν preceding), ὁ δέ, but he: Mat.2:14, Mrk.1:45, Luk.8:21, Jhn.9:38, al. mult. __II. As prepositive article, the, prefixed, __1. to nouns unmodified: ὁ θεός, τὸ φῶς, etc.; to abstract nouns, ἡ σοφία, etc., to pl. nouns which indicate a class, οἱ ἀλώπεκες, foxes, Mat.8:20, al.; to an individual as representing a class, ὁ ἐργάτης, Luk.10:7; with nom. = voc. in addresses, Mat.11:26, Jhn.19:3, Jas.5:1, al.; to things which pertain to one, ἡ χεῖρ, his hand, Mrk.3:1; to names of persons well known or already mentioned; usually to names of countries (originally adjectives), ἡ Ἰουδαία, etc. __2. To modified nouns: with of person(s) pron. genitive, μοῦ, σοῦ, etc.; with poss. pron., ἐμός, σός, etc.; with adj. between the art. and the noun, ὁ ἀγαθὸς ἄνθρωπος, Mat.12:35; the noun foll, by adj., both with art., ὁ ποιμὴν ὁ καλός, Jhn.10:11 (on ὁ ὄχλος πολύς, Jhn.12:9, see M, Pr., 84); before adjectival phrases, ἡ κατ᾽ ἐκλογὴν πρόθεσις, Rom.9:11. __3. To Other parts of speech used as substantives; __(a) neuter adjectives: τ. ἀγαθόν, etc.; __(b) cardinal numerals: ὁ εἶς, οἷ δύο, etc.; __(with) participles: ὁ βαπτίζων (= ὁ Βαπτιστής, Mat.14:2), Mrk.6:14; πᾶς ὁ, with ptcp., every one who, etc.; __(d) adverbs: τὸ πέραν, τὰ νῦν, ὁ ἔσω ἄνθρωπος; __(e) infinitives: nom., τὸ θέλειν, Rom.7:18, al.; genitive, τοῦ, after adjectives, ἄξιον τοῦ πορεύεσθαι, 1Co.16:4; verbs, ἐλαχεν τοῦ θυμιᾶσαι, Luk.1:9; and frequently in a final sense, ἐξῆλθεν ὁ σπείρειν, Mat.13:3 (on the artic. inf., see Bl., §71). __4. In the neut. to sentences, phrases or single words treated as a quotation: τὸ Ἐι δύνῃ, Mrk.9:23; τὸ ἔτι ἅπαξ, Heb.12:27; τὸ ἀνέβη, Eph.4:9, al. __5. To prepositional phrases: οἱ ἀπὸ Ἰταλίας, Heb.13:24; οἱ ἐκ νόμου, Rom.4:14; neut. accusative absol., in adverbial phrases, τὸ καθ᾽ ἡμέραν, daily, Luk.11:3; τὸ κατὰ σάρκα, as regards the flesh, Rom.9:5. __6. To nouns in the genitive, denoting kinship, association, etc.: ὁ τοῦ, the son of (unless context indicates a different relationship), Mat.10:2, al.; τὰ τοῦ θεοῦ, the things that pertain to God, Mat.16:23; τὰ τῆς εἰρήνης, Rom.14:19 (cf. M, Pr., 81ff.; Bl, §§46, 47). (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 7033 NT verses. KJV: the, this, that, one, he, she, it, etc See also: 1 Corinthians 1:1; 1 Corinthians 7:16; 1 Corinthians 11:24.

πνευματι pneuma G4151 "spirit/breath: spirit" Noun-DSN

The Greek word for spirit or breath refers to the vital principle or mental disposition of a person, as seen in John 3:8 and 1 Corinthians 5:5. It can also mean a superhuman spirit, like the Holy Spirit in Acts 2:2.

Definition: πνεῦμα, -τος, τό, [in LXX chiefly and very frequently for רוּחַ ;] __1. of air in motion; __(a) wind: Jhn.3:8; pl., Heb.1:7 (LXX); __(b) breath: π. ζωῆς, Rev.11:11; π. τοῦ στόματος, figuratively, 2Th.2:8 (cf. Ps 32 (33)6). __2. Of the vital principle, the spirit (Arist., Polyb., al.): Luk.8:55, Jhn.19:30, Act.7:59, al.; opposite to σάρξ, Mat.26:41, Mrk.14:38, 1Co.5:5, al.; to σῶμα, Rom.8:10, 1Co.6:17 7:34, 1Pe.4:6; to ψυχή, Php.1:27, Heb.4:12; τὸ π. καὶ ἡ ψ. καὶ τ. σῶμα, 1Th.5:23 (M, Th., in l.); dative, τῷ π., in spirit, Mrk.2:8 8:12, Jhn.11:33 13:21, Act.18:25, Rom.12:11, 1Co.7:34, 1Pe.3:18, al.; of the human spirit of Christ, Rom.1:4, 1Ti.3:16. __3. spirit, i.e. frame of mind, disposition, influence: Luk.1:17, Rom.8:15, 1Co.4:21, Gal 6:1, Eph.2:2, 2Ti.1:7, 1Jn.4:6, al. __4. An incorporeal being, a spirit: Luk.24:37, 39 Act.23:8; π. ὁ θεός, God is spirit, Jhn.4:24; πατὴρ τῶν π., Heb.12:9; of disembodied human beings, Heb.12:23, 1Pe.3:19 (ICC, in l.; DB, iii, 795); of angels. Heb.1:14; of demons or evil spirits, Mat.8:16, Mrk.9:20, Luk.9:39, al.; π. πύθυωνα, Act.16:16; πνεύματα δαιμονίων, Rev.16:14; π. δαιμονίου ἀκαθάρτου, Luk.4:33; π. ἀσθενείας (Bl., §35, 5), Luk.13:11; π. ἀκάθαρτον, Mat.10:1, Mrk.1:23, Luk.4:36, Act.5:16; π. ἄλαλον (καὶ κωφόν), Mrk.9:17, 25; πονηρόν, Luk.7:21, Act.19:12, al. __5. Of the Holy Spirit, π. ἅγιον, τὸ ἅ. π., τὸ π. τὸ ἅ. τὸ π., π. (the article as a rule being used when the Spirit is regarded as a Person or a Divine Power, and omitted when the reference is to an operation, influence or gift of the Spirit; see WM, 151:5; Bl., §46, 7): anarth., Mat.1:18 3:11, 16 4:1, Mrk.1:8 (Swete, in l.), ib.10, Luk.1:15, Jhn.7:39, Act.19:2, Rom.5:5, 1Co.2:4, al.; with art., Mat.4:1 12:31, 32 Mrk.1:10 3:29, Luk.2:26, Jhn.7:36 14:26, Act.4:31 5:3, Rom.8:16, al.; (τὸ) π. (τοῦ) θεοῦ, Mat.3:16, Rom.8:9, Eph.3:16, 1Jn.4:2, al.; τὸ π. τ. πατρός, Mat.10:20; π. θεοῦ ζῶντος, 2Co.3:3; (τὸ) π. τοῦ κυρίου, Luk.4:18, Act.5:9 8:39; τὸ π. Ἰησοῦ, Act.16:7; Χριστοῦ, Rom.8:9; Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ, Php.1:19; τὸ π. τ. ἀληθείας, Jhn.15:26 16:13, 1Jn.4:6; λείγει (μαρτυρεῖ) τὸ π. (τὸ ἅγιον), Act.21:11 28:25, 1Ti.4:1, Heb.3:7 10:15, Rev.14:13; before τ. ἐκκλησίαις, Rev.2:7, 11 17, 29, 3:6, 12, 22; ἐν τ. π., Luk.2:27; κατὰ πνεῦμα, Rom.8:4, 5; ἐξ ὕδατος καὶ π., Jhn.3:5, διὰ πνεύματος αἰωνίου, Heb.9:14; ἐν ἁγιασμῷ πνεύματος, 2Th.2:13, 1Pe.1:2; ἓν π., 1Co.12:13, Eph.2:18 4:4; ὁ δὲ κύριος τὸ π. ἐστιν, 2Co.3:17; of that which is effected or governed by the Spirit, opposite to γράμμα, Rom.2:29 7:6, 2Co.3:6. SYN.: νοῦς, which in NT is contrasted with π. as "the action of the understanding in man with that of the spiritual or ecstatic impulse" (DB, iv, 612); ψυχή — the usual term in cl. psychology—in NT, "expresses man as apart from God, a separate individual, π. expresses man as drawing his life from God" (DB, 1-vol., 872). (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 350 NT verses. KJV: ghost, life, spirit(-ual, -ually), mind See also: 1 Corinthians 2:4; Acts 7:59; 1 Peter 1:2.

ο ho G3588 "the/this/who" Art-NSM

The Greek word for 'the' or 'this', used to point out a specific person or thing, like in Acts 17:28. It can also mean 'he', 'she', or 'it'.

Usage: Occurs in 7033 NT verses. KJV: the, this, that, one, he, she, it, etc See also: 1 Corinthians 1:1; 1 Corinthians 7:16; 1 Corinthians 11:24.

αναπληρων anaplēroō G378 "to fulfil" Verb-PAP-NSM

To fulfill means to complete something, like finishing a task or making something whole. In the Bible, it's used in 1 Corinthians 14:16 and Galatians 6:2 to describe filling a need or completing a duty.

Definition: ἀνα-πληρόω, -ῶ [in LXX chiefly for מָלֵא, Lev.12:6, al.; also שָׁלַם (Gen.15:16, 3Ki.7:51, Isa.60:20), etc. ;] __1. to fill up, make full (in π. of completing contracts and making up rent; cf. MM, VGT, see word): τόπον, take one's place (cf. Heb. מָקוֹם שָׁלַם), 1Co.14:16; άμαρτίας, complete the number, 1Th.2:16; τ. νόμον, observe perfectly, Gal.6:2; pass., προφητεία, fulfilled, Mat.13:14. __2. to supply: τό ὑστέρημα, 1Co.16:17, Php.2:30 (Cremer, 838).† (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 6 NT verses. KJV: fill up, fulfill, occupy, supply See also: 1 Corinthians 14:16; Galatians 6:2; Philippians 2:30.

τον ho G3588 "the/this/who" Art-ASM

The Greek word for 'the' or 'this', used to point out a specific person or thing, like in Acts 17:28. It can also mean 'he', 'she', or 'it'.

Usage: Occurs in 7033 NT verses. KJV: the, this, that, one, he, she, it, etc See also: 1 Corinthians 1:1; 1 Corinthians 7:16; 1 Corinthians 11:24.

τοπον topos G5117 "place" Noun-ASM

The Greek word for place or location, used in the Bible to describe a specific spot or area, such as a home or a tract of land, as seen in Matthew 24:15 and Luke 10:1. It can also refer to a condition or opportunity. In Acts 12:17, it describes a specific location where Peter went.

Definition: τόπος, -ου, ὁ, [in LXX chiefly for מָקוֹם ;] place: Luk.4:37 10:1, 32 Jhn.5:13 6:10, Act.12:17, 1Co.1:2, al.; τ. ἅγιος (cf. Isa.60:13), Mat.24:15; ἔρημος, Mat.14:13, al.; πεδινός, Luk.6:17; ἄνυδρος (pl.), Mat.12:43, Luk.11:24; κατὰ τόπος (BV, in divers places), Mat.24:7, Mrk.13:8; τραχεῖς τ., Act.27:29; τ. διθάλασσος (which see), ib. 41; ἑτοιμάζειν τ., Jhn.14:2, 3; ἔχειν, Rev.12:6; διδόναι, Luk.14:9; with genitive defin., τ. βασάνου, Luk.16:28; τ. καταπαύσεως, Act.7:49; κρανίου, Mat.27:33, Mrk.15:22, Jhn.19:17; before οὗ, Rom.9:26; ὅπου, Mat.28:6, Mrk.16:6, Jhn.4:20 6:23 10:40 11:30 19:41; ἐν ᾧ, Jhn.11:6; ἐφ ̓ ᾧ, Act.7:33; of a place which a person or thing occupies, Rev.2:5 6:14 12:8; τ. μαχαίρας, Mat.26:52; ὁ ἴδιος τ., Act.1:25; of a place in a book, Luk.4:17 (cf. Clem. Rom., I Co., 8, 4). Metaphorical, of condition, station, occasion, opportunity or power: Act.25:16, Rom.12:19 15:23, Eph.4:27 (cf. Sir.38:12). SYN.: χώρα (extensive), region; χωρίον (enclosed), a piece of ground. τ. is "a portion of space viewed in reference to its occupancy, or as appropriated to a thing " (Grimm-Thayer, see word). (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 89 NT verses. KJV: coast, licence, place, X plain, quarter, + rock, room, where See also: 1 Corinthians 1:2; Luke 4:37; Hebrews 8:7.

του ho G3588 "the/this/who" Art-GSM

The Greek word for 'the' or 'this', used to point out a specific person or thing, like in Acts 17:28. It can also mean 'he', 'she', or 'it'.

Usage: Occurs in 7033 NT verses. KJV: the, this, that, one, he, she, it, etc See also: 1 Corinthians 1:1; 1 Corinthians 7:16; 1 Corinthians 11:24.

ιδιωτου idiōtēs G2399 "unlearned" Noun-GSM

This word means unlearned or uneducated, describing someone without professional knowledge. In 1 Corinthians 14:16 and Acts 4:13, it refers to those lacking spiritual gifts or education.

Definition: ἰδιώτης, -ου, ὁ (ἴδιος), [in LXX: Pro.6:8 (no Heb.)* ;] __1. a private person, as opposite to the State or an official (βασιλεῖς κ. ἰδιῶται, Pr, l.with; and cf. MM, Exp., xv). __2. one without professional knowledge, unskilled, uneducated, unlearned: 1Co.14:16 14:23-24 (R, mg., without gifts); ἀγράμματοι κ. ἰ., Act.4:13; with dative (= cl. with genitive of thing(s)), λόγῳ, 2Co.11:6.† (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 5 NT verses. KJV: ignorant, rude, unlearned See also: 1 Corinthians 14:16; 1 Corinthians 14:24; Acts 4:13.

πως pōs G4459 "how?!" Adv-I

How is a question about the way something is done, as in Matthew 12:29, or an exclamation of surprise, like how much something is.

Definition: πῶς, interrog. adv., correl. of ὅπως, __1. prop., in direct questions, how?: with indic., Mat.12:29, Mrk.3:23, Luk.11:18, Jhn.3:4, al.; καὶ π., Mrk.4:13, Luk.20:44; π. οὖν, Mat.12:26; π. οὐ, Mat.16:11, Luk.12:56; in deliberative questions (cf. Bl., §64, 6), with subjc., Mat.23:33 26:54; π. οὖν, Rom.10:14; π. δέ, Rom.10:14, 15; before ἄν, with optative, Act.8:31. __2. As sometimes in cl. but more frequently and increasingly so in late writers (see WM, §57, 2; Bl., §70, 2; Thumb, MGr., 192; Jannaris, Gr., App., vi, 13f.), = ὅπως, ὥς; __(a) in indirect discourse: with indic., Mat.6:28, Mrk.12:41, Luk.8:36, Jhn.9:15, Act.9:27, al.; with subjc., Mrk.11:18, Luk.12:11; __(b) in exclamations: Mat.21:20, Mrk.10:23, 24 Luk.12:50 18:24, Jhn.11:36. (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 104 NT verses. KJV: how, after (by) what manner (means), that See also: 1 Corinthians 3:10; Luke 8:18; Hebrews 2:3.

ερει erō G2046 "to say" Verb-FAI-3S

To say or speak, like in Matthew 9:34 or John 1:29. This word is an alternate way of saying 'to utter' or 'to speak' in certain situations.

Definition: λέγω, [in LXX very freq., chiefly for אמר; λέγει for נְאֻם, Gen.22:16, al. ;] __1. in Hom., to pick out, gather, reckon, recount. __2. In Hdt. and Att., to say, speak, affirm, declare: absol., Act.13:15, 24:10; before orat. dir., Mat.9:34, Mrk.3:11, Jhn.1:29, al.; before ὅτι recit., Mrk.3:21, Luk.1:24, Jhn.6:14, al.; accusative and inf., Luk.11:18, Jhn.12:29, al.; after another verb of speaking, προσφωνεῖν κ. λέγειν, Mat.11:17, al.; ἀπεκρίθη (ἐλάλησεν) λέγων (καὶ λέγει; Dalman, Words, 24 ff.), Mat.25:9, Mrk.3:33, 7:28, Luk.24:6, 7, al.; of unspoken thought, λ. ἐν ἑαυτῷ, Mat.3:9, Luk.3:8, al.; of writing, 2Co.8:8, Php.4:11, al.; λέγει ἡ γραφή, Rom.4:3, Jas.2:23, al.; with accusative of thing(s), Luk.8:8, 9:33, Jhn.5:34, al.; σὺ λέγεις (a non-committal phrase; Swete, Mk., 359, 369f.), Mat.27:11, Mrk.15:2, Luk.23:3, Jhn.18:37; with dative of person(s), before orat. dir., Mat.8:20, Mrk.2:17, al. mult.; id. before ὅτι, Mat.3:9, al.; with prep., πρός, μετά, περί, etc., Mrk.4:41, Jhn.11:56, Heb.9:5, al.; to mean (cl.), Mrk.14:71, Jhn.6:71, 1Co.10:29, al.; to call, name, Mrk.10:18; pass., Mat.9:9, Mrk.15:7, al (cf. ἀντι-, δια- (-μαι), προ-, συλ-λέγω). SYN.: λαλέω, which refers to the utterance, as λέγω to the meaning of what is said, its correspondence with thought (Tr., Syn., Ixxvi; Thayer, see word λαλέω). (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 95 NT verses. KJV: call, say, speak (of), tell See also: 1 Corinthians 14:16; Matthew 1:22; Hebrews 1:13.

το ho G3588 "the/this/who" Art-ASN

The Greek word for 'the' or 'this', used to point out a specific person or thing, like in Acts 17:28. It can also mean 'he', 'she', or 'it'.

Usage: Occurs in 7033 NT verses. KJV: the, this, that, one, he, she, it, etc See also: 1 Corinthians 1:1; 1 Corinthians 7:16; 1 Corinthians 11:24.

αμην amēn G281 "amen" Hebrew

Amen means something is trustworthy or firm. It's often used to express agreement or confirmation, like in Revelation 3:14. It's a way of saying 'so be it' or 'it's true'.

Definition: ἀμήν, indecl. (Heb. אָמֵן, verbal adj. fr. אמן, to prop. ni., be firm), [in LXX: 1Ch.16:36, I Est.9:46, Neh.5:13 8:6, Tob.8:8 14:15, 3Ma.7:23, 4Ma.18:24 (elsewhere ''א is rendered ἀληθινός, Isa.65:16; ἀληθῶς, Je 35 (28):6; γένοιτο, Num.5:22, Deu.27:15ff., 3Ki.1:36, Psa.40 (41):13 71 (72):19 105 (106):48, Jer.11:5)*.] __1. As adj. (cf. Is, l.with), ὁ ἀ., Rev.3:14. __2. As adv., __(a) in solemn assent to the statements or prayers of another (Nu, Ne, etc., ll. with): ὁ ἀ., 1Co.14:16; __(b) similarly, at the end of one's own prayer or ascription of praise: Rom.1:25 15:33, Gal.1:5, 1Ti.1:17; __(with) in the Gospels, exclusively, introducing solemn statements of our Lord, truly, verily: Mat.5:18, 26 Mrk.3:28 (see Swete, in l.), Luk.4:24, al.; ἀ. ἀ., always in Jhn.1:52 3:3 5:19, al.; τὸ ναί, καὶ . . . τὸ ἀ., 2Co.1:20 (on usage in π., see MM, VGT, see word). (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 126 NT verses. KJV: amen, verily See also: 1 Corinthians 14:16; Mark 10:15; 1 Peter 4:11.

επι epi G1909 "upon/to/against" Prep

A preposition meaning upon, to, or against, often used to show location or direction, like in Matthew 6:10 where Jesus teaches us to pray for God's will to be done on earth. It can also indicate a sense of time or order.

Definition: ἐπί (before a smooth breathing ἐπ᾽, before a rough breathing ἐφ᾽), prep. with genitive, dative, accusative (accusative most frequently in NT), with primary sense of superposition, on, upon. __I. C. genitive, __1. of place, answering the question, where? __(a) of the place on which, on, upon: ἐπὶ (τ.) γῆς, Mat.6:10, 19, al.; τ. κεφαλῆς, 1Co.11:10; τ. νεφελῶν, Mat.24:3o, al.; like ἐν, in constr. praegn. after verbs of motion: βάλλειν, Mrk.4:26; σπείρειν, ib. 31; ἔρχεσθαι, Heb.6:7, al.; figuratively, ἐπ᾽ ἀληθείας (MM, see word ἀ.); of the subject of thought or speech, Gal.3:16; of power or authority, over, πάντων, Rom.9:5: τ. γάζης, Act.8:27; ἐξουσία, Rev.2:26 20:6; __(b) of vicinity, at, by: τ. θαλάσσης, Jhn.6:9; τ. ὁδοῦ, Mat.21:19; τοῦ βάτου, Mrk.12:26 (see Swete, in l.); with genitive of person(s), in the presence of, before, Mat.28:14, Act.23:30, 1Co.6:1, al. __2. Of time, __(a) with genitive of person(s), in the time of: ἐπὶ Ἐλισαίου, Luk.4:27; ἐπὶ Κλαυδίου, Act.11:28; ἐπὶ Ἀβιάθαρ ἀρχιερέως, when A. was high priest, Mrk.2:26; __(b) with genitive of thing(s), at, at the time of: Mat.1:11, Heb.1:2, 2Pe.3:3; ἐπὶ τ. προσευχῶν, Rom.1:10, Eph.1:16, 1Th.1:2, Phm 4. __II. C. dative, of place, answering the question, where? __(a) lit., on, upon: Mat.9:16, 14:8, al.; after verbs of motion (see supr., I, 1, (a)), Mat.9:16 Act.8:16; above, Luk.23:38; at, by, Mrk.13:29, Jhn.5:2, Act.5:9, al.; __(b) metaphorically, upon, on the ground of, Luk.4:4 (LXX); in the matter of, Mrk.6:52 (see Swete, in l.); upon, of, concerning, Act.5:35, 40; of the ground, reason or motive (Bl., §38, 2; 43, 3), Mat.18:3 19:9, Rom.12:12, al.; ἐφ᾽ ᾧ, for the reason that, because, Rom.5:12 2Co.5:4; after verbs of motion, over, Mat.18:13, Rom.16:19, al.; of a condition (cl.), Rom.8:20, 1Co.9:10; ἐπὶ δυσὶ μάρτυσιν (see Westc. on Heb.9:10), Heb.10:28; of purpose or aim, Eph.2:10, Php.4:10; of authority, over, Mat.24:47 Luk.12:44; of hostility, with dative of person(s) (cl.), against, Luk.12:52; in addition to (cl.), 2Co.7:13; of an adjunct, in, at, on, Php.1:3 2:17. __III. C. accusative, __1. of place of motion upon or over, answering the question, whither? __(a) lit., upon, over: Mat.14:28, 29, Luk.5:19, al. mult.; in NT also, answering the question, where? (as with genitive, dative), Mrk.4:38 11:2, Luk.2:25, Jhn.1:32; ἐπὶ τ. αὐτό, Act.1:15 2:1, al.; of motion to a vicinity, to, Mrk.16:2, Act.8:36, al.; __(b) metaphorically (in wh. "the accusative is more widely prevalent than it strictly should be," Bl., §43, 1); of blessings, evils, etc., coming upon one, with accusative of person(s), Mat.10:13 12:28, Act.2:17, Jhn.18:4, Eph.5:6, al.; of addition (dative in cl.), λύπη ἐπὶ λύπην, Php.2:27; ἐπικαλεῖν ὄνομα ἐπί (see: ἐπικαλέω), Act.15:17, Jas.2:7; καλεῖν ἐπί, to call after, Luk.1:59; of number or degree: ἐπὶ τρίς (cl. εἰς τ.), thrice, Act.10:16 11:10; ἐπὶ πλεῖον, the more, further, Act.4:17 2Ti.2:16 3:9 (see also infr., 2, (a)); ἐφ᾽ ὅσον (see infr., ib.), forasmuch as, Mat.25:40, 45, Rom.11:13; of power, authority, control, Luk.1:33, Act.7:10 Rom.5:14, Heb.3:6, al.; of the direction of thoughts and feelings, unto, towards, Luk.1:17 23:28, Act.9:35, 42, Rom.11:22, Gal.4:9, Eph.2:7, 1Ti.5:5, al.; of purpose, for, Mat.3:7, Luk.23:48; ἐφ᾽ ὅ πάρει (Rec. ἐφ᾽ ᾧ, Mat.26:50; of hostility, against, Mat.24:7, Mrk.3:24-26 10:11 13:8, Luk.9:5, Jhn.13:18, Act.7:54, 1Co.7:36, 2Co.1:23; Of reference, concerning, for (cl. usually dative), Mrk.9:12 15:24, Jhn.19:24, Rom.4:9. __2. Of time, __(a) during, for: Luk.4:25 (WH, txt., omits ἐπί), Act.13:31 16:18, Heb.11:30, al.; ἐφ᾽ ὅσον (χρόνον), as long as, for so long time as, Mrk.9:15 Rom.7:1, al. (for ἐφ᾽ ὅ in another sense, see supr., 1, (b)); ἐφ᾽ ἱκανόν (see: ἱ), Act.20:11; ἐπὶ πλεῖον (see supr., 1, (b)), yet longer, further, Act.20:9 24:4; __(b) on, about, towards (cl. εἰς): Luk.10:35 Act.3:1 4:5. __IV. In composition, ἐπί signifies: up, ἐπαίρω; upon, ἐπίγειος, ἐπιδημέω, ὠπικαθίζω; towards, επιβλέπω, ὠπεκτείνω; over (of superintendence), ἐπιστάτης; again, in addition, ἐπαιτέω; against, ἐπιορκέω, ἐπιβουλή. (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 788 NT verses. KJV: about (the times), above, after, against, among, as long as (touching), at, beside, X have charge of, (be-, (where-))fore, in (a place, as much as, the time of, -to), (because) of, (up-)on (behalf of), over, (by, for) the space of, through(-out), (un-)to(-ward), with See also: 1 Corinthians 1:4; Acts 4:33; 1 Peter 1:13.

τη ho G3588 "the/this/who" Art-DSF

The Greek word for 'the' or 'this', used to point out a specific person or thing, like in Acts 17:28. It can also mean 'he', 'she', or 'it'.

Usage: Occurs in 7033 NT verses. KJV: the, this, that, one, he, she, it, etc See also: 1 Corinthians 1:1; 1 Corinthians 7:16; 1 Corinthians 11:24.

ση sos G4674 "your" S-2SDSF

The word thine means something belongs to you, like your possessions or relationships. In the Bible, it is used by Jesus when teaching about God's love and generosity. It appears in books like Matthew and Mark.

Definition: σός, -ή, -όν possess. prop. of second of person(s), thy, thine: Mat.7:3, al.; as subst., οἱ σοί, thy kinsfolk, friends, Mrk.5:19; τὸ σόν, what is thine, Mat.20:14 25:25; τὰ σά, thy goods, Luk.6:30 (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 24 NT verses. KJV: thine (own), thy (friend) See also: 1 Corinthians 8:11; Luke 6:30; Philemon 1:14.

ευχαριστια eucharistia G2169 "thankfulness" Noun-DSF

This word means thankfulness or gratitude, and is often used to describe worshiping God through thankful language. It appears in the New Testament, such as in 1 Corinthians and 2 Corinthians. It is about being grateful to God.

Definition: εὐχαριστία, -ας, ἡ (εὐχάριστος), [in LXX: Est.8:13, Wis.16:28, Sir.37:11, 2Ma.2:27 * ;] __1. thankfulness, gratitude (Polyb.; Es, Sir, 2Mac, ll. with): Act.24:3. __2. giving of thanks, thanksgiving (so in π. and Inscr.; M, Th., 41 f.): 1Co.14:16, 2Co.4:15, Eph.5:4, Php.4:6, Col.2:7 4:2, 1Th.3:9, 1Ti.4:3-4, Rev.4:9 7:12; with dative of person(s), 2Co.9:11 (cf. τ. θεοῦ, Wis, l.with); pl., 2Co.9:12, 1Ti.2:1 (Cremer, 904).† (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 15 NT verses. KJV: thankfulness, (giving of) thanks(-giving) See also: 1 Corinthians 14:16; 2 Corinthians 9:12; Revelation 4:9.

επειδη epeidē G1894 "since" Conj

Since now refers to a point in time or a cause, as seen in Luke 11:6 and Acts 13:46. This word is used to describe a reason or a time. It appears in various Bible passages to introduce a cause or a time, often indicating a shift in action or thought.

Definition: ἐπει-δή conj.; __1. of time, when now, after that: Luk.7:1 (WH, txt.). __2. Of cause, seeing that, forasmuch as: Luk.11:6, Act.13:46 (WH, txt., RV) Act.14:12 15:24, 1Co.1:21-22 14:16 15:21, Php.2:26.† (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 10 NT verses. KJV: after that, because, for (that, -asmuch as), seeing, since See also: 1 Corinthians 1:21; Acts 14:12; Philippians 2:26.

τι tis G5101 "which?" Interrog-ASN

This interrogative pronoun is used to ask questions like who, which, or what, as seen in Matthew 3:7 and Mark 11:28. It seeks information about a person or thing. This term is essential in direct and indirect questions.

Definition: τίς, neut., τί, genitive, τίνος, interrog. pron., [in LXX for מָה ,מִי ;] in masc. and fem., who, which, what?; in neut., which, what?, used both in direct and in indirect questions. __I. I. As subst., __1. 1. masc., fem.: τίς; who, what?, Mat.3:7 26:68; Mrk.11:28, Luk.9:9, al. mult.; with genitive partit., Act.7:52, Heb.1:5, al; before ἐκ (= genitive partit.), Mat.6:27, Luk.14:28, Jhn.8:46; = ποῖος, Mrk.4:41 6:2, Luk.19:3, Act.17:19, al.; = πότερος (M, Pr., 77), Mat.21:31 27:17, Luk.22:27, al.; = ὅς or ὅστις (rare in cl.; cf. Bl., §50, 5; M, Pr., 93), Act.13:25. __2. Neut.: τί; what?, Mat.5:47 11:7, Mrk.10:3, al.; χάριν τίνος, 1Jn.3:12; διὰ τί, Mat.9:11, al.; εἰς τί, Mat.14:31, al.; elliptically, ἵνα τί (sc. γένηται), why, Mat.9:5, al.; τί οὖν, Rom.3:9 6:1, 15 1Co.14:15, al.; τί γάρ, Rom.3:3, Phi 1:18; τί ἐμοὶ (ὑμῖν) καὶ σοί, see: ἔγω. __II. As adj.: who? what? which?, Mat.5:46, Luk.14:31, Jhn.2:18, al. __III. As adv.: = διὰ τι (τί ὅτι), why, Mat.6:28, Mrk.4:40, Luk.6:46, Jhn.18:23, al.; in rhet. questions, = a negation, Mat.27:4, Jhn.21:22, 23 1Co.5:12 7:16, al. in exclamations (like Heb. מָה), how (2Ki.6:20, Psa.3:2, al.), Luk.12:49. (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 514 NT verses. KJV: every man, how (much), + no(-ne, thing), what (manner, thing), where (-by, -fore, -of, -unto, - with, -withal), whether, which, who(-m, -se), why See also: 1 Corinthians 2:11; Colossians 1:27; 1 Peter 1:11.

λεγεις legō G3004 "to say" Verb-PAI-2S

This word means to say or speak, and it is used by Jesus and others in the New Testament to share teachings and tell stories. It appears in Matthew 9:34 and John 1:29.

Usage: Occurs in 1988 NT verses. KJV: ask, bid, boast, call, describe, give out, name, put forth, say(-ing, on), shew, speak, tell, utter See also: 1 Corinthians 1:10; Acts 6:2; Acts 19:3.

ουκ ou G3756 "no" Particle-N

This is a strong 'no', used to deny something completely. It appears in the New Testament, such as in Matthew 13:29 and John 1:21. It is a negative answer to a question.

Definition: οὐ, before a vowel with smooth breathing οὐκ, before one with rough breathing οὐχ (but improperly οὐχ ἰδού, Act.2:7, WH, mg.; cf. WH, Intr., §409; M, Pr., 44, 244), [in LXX for אֵין ,אַיִן ,לֹא ;] neg. particle, not, no, used generally with indic, and for a denial of fact (cf . μή); __1. absol. (accented), οὔ, no: Mat.13:29 Jhn.1:21 21:5; οὒ οὕ, Mat.5:37 Jas.5:12. __2. Most frequently negativing a verb or other word, Mat.1:25 10:26, 38, Mrk.3:25 9:37, Jhn.8:29, Act.7:5, Rom.1:16, Php.3:3, al.; in litotes, οὐκ ὀλίγοι (i.e. very many), Act.17:4, al.; οὐκ ἄσημος, Act.21:39; πᾶς . . . οὐ, with verb, (like Heb. כֹּל . . . לֹא), no, none, Mat.24:22, Mrk.13:20, Luk.1:37, Eph.5:5, al.; in disjunctive statements, οὐκ . . . ἀλλά, Luk.8:52 Jhn.1:33 Rom.8:2o, al.; with 2 of person(s) fut. (like Heb. לֹא, with impf.), as emphatic prohibition, Mat.4:7, Luk.4:12, Rom.7:7, al. __3. With another negative, __(a) strengthening the negation: Mrk.5:37, Jhn.8:15 12:19, Act.8:39, al.; __(b) making an affirmative: Act.4:20, 1Co.12:15. __4. With other particles: οὐ μή (see: μή); οὐ μηκέτι, Mat.21:19; with μή interrog., Rom.10:18, 1Co.9:4, 5 11:22. __5. Interrogative, expecting an affirmative answer (Lat. nonne): Mat.6:26, Mrk.4:21, Luk.11:40, Jhn.4:35, Rom.9:21, al. (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 1410 NT verses. KJV: + long, nay, neither, never, no (X man), none, (can-)not, + nothing, + special, un(-worthy), when, + without, + yet but See also: 1 Corinthians 1:16; 1 Corinthians 15:32; 1 Peter 1:8.

οιδεν eidō G1492 "to perceive: see" Verb-RAI-3S

This verb means to see or perceive, used in the Bible to describe spiritual awareness or insight. In Matthew 25:13 and John 10:4, it refers to recognizing God's presence or will. The verb is often used to encourage believers to seek spiritual understanding and discernment.

Definition: οἶδα, (from same root as εἶδον, which see), [in LXX chiefly for ידע ;] pf. with present meaning (plpf. as impf.; on irregular tense-forms, see App.), to have seen or perceived, hence, to know, have knowledge of: with accusative of thing(s), Mat.25:13, Mrk.10:19, Jhn.10:4, Rom.7:7, al.; with accusative of person(s), Mat.26:72, Jhn.1:31, Act.3:16, al.; τ. θεόν, 1Th.4:5, Tit.1:16, al.; with accusative and inf., Luk.4:41, al.; before ὅτι, Mat.9:6, Luk.20:21, Jhn.3:2, Rom.2:2 11:2, al.; before quaest. indir., Mat.26:70, Jhn.9:21, Eph.1:18, al.; with inf., to know how (cl.), Mat.7:11, Luk.11:13, Php.4:12, 1Th.4:4, al.; in unique sense of respect, appreciate: 1Th.5:12 (but see also ICC on 1Th.4:4). SYN.: see: γινώσκω. (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 295 NT verses. KJV: be aware, behold, X can (+ not tell), consider, (have) know(-ledge), look (on), perceive, see, be sure, tell, understand, wish, wot See also: 1 Corinthians 1:16; Acts 26:27; 1 Peter 1:8.

Study Notes — 1 Corinthians 14:16

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Context
Cross References
1 Corinthians 14:16 Summary
Frequently Asked Questions
Reflection Questions
Gill's Exposition on 1 Corinthians 14:16
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on 1 Corinthians 14:16
Matthew Poole's Commentary on 1 Corinthians 14:16
Trapp's Commentary on 1 Corinthians 14:16
Ellicott's Commentary on 1 Corinthians 14:16
Adam Clarke's Commentary on 1 Corinthians 14:16
Cambridge Bible on 1 Corinthians 14:16
Barnes' Notes on 1 Corinthians 14:16
Whedon's Commentary on 1 Corinthians 14:16
Sermons on 1 Corinthians 14:16

Context — Prophecy and Tongues

14For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my mind is unfruitful. 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. 18I thank God that I speak in tongues more than all of you.

Cross References

	Reference	Text (BSB)
1	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!”
2	Psalms 106:48	Blessed be the LORD, the God of Israel, from everlasting to everlasting. Let all the people say, “Amen!” Hallelujah!
3	Revelation 5:14	And the four living creatures said, “Amen,” and the elders fell down and worshiped.
4	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!’ ‘Cursed is he who dishonors his father or mother.’ And let all the people say, ‘Amen!’ ‘Cursed is he who moves his neighbor’s boundary stone.’ And let all the people say, ‘Amen!’ ‘Cursed is he who lets a blind man wander in the road.’ And let all the people say, ‘Amen!’ ‘Cursed is he who withholds justice from the foreigner, the fatherless, or the widow.’ And let all the people say, ‘Amen!’ ‘Cursed is he who sleeps with his father’s wife, for he has violated his father’s marriage bed.’ And let all the people say, ‘Amen!’ ‘Cursed is he who lies with any animal.’ And let all the people say, ‘Amen!’ ‘Cursed is he who sleeps with his sister, the daughter of his father or the daughter of his mother.’ And let all the people say, ‘Amen!’ ‘Cursed is he who sleeps with his mother-in-law.’ And let all the people say, ‘Amen!’ ‘Cursed is he who strikes down his neighbor in secret.’ And let all the people say, ‘Amen!’ ‘Cursed is he who accepts a bribe to kill an innocent person.’ And let all the people say, ‘Amen!’ ‘Cursed is he who does not put the words of this law into practice.’ And let all the people say, ‘Amen!’
5	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.
6	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.
7	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.”
8	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.’
9	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.”
10	Mark 16:20	And they went out and preached everywhere, and the Lord worked through them, confirming His word by the signs that accompanied it.

1 Corinthians 14:16 Summary

This verse is saying that when we pray or give thanks in a language that others don't understand, it can be hard for them to agree with us or say 'Amen'. It's like if someone was speaking a different language and you didn't know what they were saying, you wouldn't know whether to agree or not. As the Bible says in 1 Corinthians 14:17, we should strive to edify, or build up, one another with our words, and as seen in Colossians 4:2, we should devote ourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. By speaking in a way that others can understand, we can create an atmosphere of unity and mutual encouragement, as commanded in Hebrews 10:24-25.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does it mean to speak a blessing in spirit?

Speaking a blessing in spirit, as mentioned in 1 Corinthians 14:16, refers to praying or giving thanks in a language that the speaker understands, but others may not, as seen in 1 Corinthians 14:14-15 where the apostle Paul talks about praying with his spirit and mind.

Why is it important for others to understand what we are saying when we pray or give thanks?

It is essential for others to understand what we are saying so they can participate and say 'Amen' to our thanksgiving, as the verse states, and also be edified, as mentioned in 1 Corinthians 14:17.

How can we balance speaking in tongues and speaking in a language that others can understand?

According to 1 Corinthians 14:15, we should pray with our spirit, but also with our mind, and sing with our spirit, but also with our mind, to ensure that others can understand and be edified by our words, as seen in 1 Corinthians 14:26.

What is the role of the Holy Spirit in our prayer life?

The Holy Spirit plays a significant role in our prayer life, as seen in Romans 8:26-27, where it is written that the Spirit helps us in our weakness and intercedes for us according to the will of God, and in 1 Corinthians 14:2, where it is stated that those who speak in a tongue speak to God, not to men.

Reflection Questions

What are some ways I can ensure that my prayers and thanksgiving are understandable to others, and how can I balance my desire to speak in tongues with the need for others to be edified?
How can I use my spiritual gifts, such as speaking in tongues, to build up and edify others, as commanded in Ephesians 4:12 and 1 Corinthians 14:26?
In what ways can I cultivate a deeper understanding of the Holy Spirit's role in my prayer life, and how can I surrender to His leading in my times of prayer, as seen in Galatians 5:16-18?
What are some practical steps I can take to make sure that my prayers and thanksgiving are not just between me and God, but also a way to minister to and edify others, as seen in Acts 4:24-31?

Gill's Exposition on 1 Corinthians 14:16

Else when thou shall bless with the spirit,.... Which must be understood of giving thanks to God, not in a private way, in the family and at meals, but in a public manner before the whole

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on 1 Corinthians 14:16

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? Else, when thou.

Matthew Poole's Commentary on 1 Corinthians 14:16

Else when thou shalt bless with the spirit: blessing is expounded in the latter part of the verse, giving of thanks to God, which is either in prayer, (for thanksgiving is a part of prayer), or in singing of psalms. Blessing with the spirit either signifieth giving of thanks with the inward man, or giving of thanks in an unknown tongue, by the extraordinary influence of the Spirit of God. How shall he that occupieth the room of the unlearned say Amen at thy giving of thanks? It is plain from hence: 1. That the teachers had in the apostolical churches distinct places and seats from the common hearers, for their better convenience in speaking, that they might so speak as all might hear, understand, and be profited. 2. That in those churches there was one only who used to speak audibly, and the work of the others was only from a devout heart to say Amen, wishing or praying that God would do what, in the name of all, he that ministered had asked of God for them. So ,8:6 . Seeing he understandeth not what thou sayest: people ought not to say Amen to any thing, unless they understand that petition, or those petitions, to which, in the worship of God, they add their Amen, which word makes the petitions theirs, being a particle of wishing, as well as affirming.

Trapp's Commentary on 1 Corinthians 14:16

16 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? Ver. 16. Say Amen] This the apostle reckons for a great loss. The poor misled and muzzled Papists are enjoined not to join so far with a Protestant in any holy action, as to say Amen. But in that there is no so great loss. (Specul. Europ.)

Ellicott's Commentary on 1 Corinthians 14:16

(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.

Adam Clarke's Commentary on 1 Corinthians 14:16

Verse 16. He that occupieth the room of the unlearned] One who is not acquainted with the language in which you speak, sing, or pray. Say Amen] Give his assent and ratification to what he does not understand. It was very frequent in primitive times to express their approbation in the public assemblies by Amen. This practice, soberly and piously conducted, might still be of great use in the Church of Christ. This response was of the highest authority and merit among the Jews; they even promised the remission of all sins, the annihilation of the sentence of damnation, and the opening of the gates of paradise, to those who fervently say Amen. And it is one of their maxims that "greater is he who says Amen than he who prays." See many testimonies of this kind in Schoettgen. Now, allowing that this was of so much consequence in tho time of St. Paul, it was a very serious matter for a person to be in a congregation where prayer was offered, who could not say Amen, because the prayers were in a language which he did not understand.

Cambridge Bible on 1 Corinthians 14:16

16. Else when thou shalt bless] A further argument Even your prayers and thanksgivings are useless, for none can respond to them. Some commentators, e.g. Dean Stanley, have supposed the Eucharistic blessing to be meant (see ch. 1 Corinthians 10:16). This, though probable, is by no means certain. That it was some well-known form of blessing or thanksgiving is however clear from what follows.with the spirit] i.e. in an unknown tongue. See note on 1 Corinthians 14:12,he that occupieth the room of the unlearned] Room (τόπος), as in St Matthew 23:6; St Luke 14:7-8, &c., stands for place. Wiclif renders it here by place. Cf. “office and roome,” Hollinshead’s Scotland. The word rendered here unlearned signifies (1) a private person, layman, one who holds no office. Hence (2) it comes to signify a man who has no special or technical knowledge of any particular art or science, as in Acts 4:13; 2 Corinthians 11:6, just as a lawyer calls those laymen who are not versed in law. Therefore the meaning here most probably is (with Meyer and Bp. Wordsworth) “those who have no special gift such as that of prophecy, or tongues.” Some would render ‘the layman’s place,’ and regard it as referring to the seats set apart for the laity in the assembly. But the majority of commentators would render he who fills the situation of the not specially endowed. St Clement of Rome uses τόπος in this latter sense in his Epistle, ch. 40.Amen] Literally, the Amen, the well-known response, either optative, “So be it,” or affirmative, “So it is,” as common in the synagogue as in the Christian Church to any prayer or thanksgiving. See Nehemiah 5:13; Revelation 5:14. Justin Martyr (circa 150) uses the same language concerning the response to the Eucharistic prayer in his day.

Barnes' Notes on 1 Corinthians 14:16

Else - (Ἐπεί Epei). Since; if this is not done; if what is said is not intelligible, how shall the unlearned be able appropriately to express his assent, and join in your devotions?

Whedon's Commentary on 1 Corinthians 14:16

16. Bless—The explanation given by Stanley is here apposite: “The ‘thanksgiving’ or ‘blessing’ of which Paul speaks seems to be that which accompanied the Lord’s supper, and whence it derived its

Sermons on 1 Corinthians 14:16

	Sermon	Description
	(Through the Bible) Deuteronomy 26-29 by Chuck Smith	In this sermon, Moses addresses the children of Israel and reminds them of the covenant they have with God. He emphasizes that despite witnessing great miracles and signs, they hav
	A Booth on the Roof by David Wilkerson	In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the danger of becoming too attached to worldly possessions and material wealth. He warns that the more blessed we are, the more we tend to d
	Understanding the Joy of the Lord by Carter Conlon	In this sermon, Pastor Tim Delina discusses the concept of the joy of the Lord as our strength. He begins by acknowledging the struggles and messiness of life that many people can
	How Do We Maintain Joy? by David Wilkerson	David Wilkerson emphasizes that the joy of the Lord is our strength, as illustrated in Nehemiah 8:10, where the Israelites, after returning from Babylonian captivity, were captivat
	Nehemiah 8:6 by Chuck Smith	Chuck Smith emphasizes the source of strength found in the joy of the Lord as demonstrated by the people of Israel during the reading of the Law by Ezra. He highlights their worshi
	The Life of Brokenness by William MacDonald	In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the concept of brokenness and its significance in the Christian faith. He references various biblical stories to illustrate the power of brok
	Christian Growth the Life of Brokenness by William MacDonald	In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the concept of brokenness and its significance in the Christian faith. He references various biblical stories to illustrate the power of brok