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1 Corinthians 14:17

New Testament Epistle (Pauline) ASV (1901)

What does 1 Corinthians 14:17 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “For thou verily givest thanks well, but the other is not edified.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

For thou verily givest thanks well, but the other is not edified.
1 Corinthians 14:17 — American Standard Version

Context — 1 Corinthians 14

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
14For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prayeth, but my understanding is unfruitful.
15What is it then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will pray with the understanding also: I will sing with the spirit, and I will sing with the understanding also.
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?
17For thou verily givest thanks well, but the other is not edified.
18I thank God, I speak with tongues more than you all:
19howbeit in the church I had rather speak five words with my understanding, that I might instruct others also, than ten thousand words in a tongue.
20Brethren, be not children in mind: yet in malice be ye babes, but in mind be men.
← 1 Corinthians 14:161 Corinthians 14:18 →
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What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“For thou verily givest thanks well, etc.] In very proper words, and pertinent expressions, with great affection and devotion, suitable to the service; but the other is not edified; the rest of the people, who do not understand the language in which thanks are given; “thy friend”, as the Syriac version reads it; or thy next neighbour, he that stands by thee, receives no manner of profit by it, because he does not understand what is said.”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“givest thanks--The prayers of the synagogue were called "eulogies," because to each prayer was joined a thanksgiving. Hence the prayers of the Christian Church also were called blessings and giving of thanks. This illustrates Col 4:2; Th1 5:17-18. So the Kaddisch and Keduscha, the synagogue formulÃ&brvbr of "hallowing" the divine "name" and of prayer for the "coming of God's kingdom," answer to the Church's Lord's Prayer, repeated often and made the foundation on which the other prayers are built [TERTULLIAN, Prayer].”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“For thou verily givest thanks well - That is, even if you use a foreign language. You do it with the heart; and it is accepted by God as your offering; but the other, who cannot understand it, cannot be benefited by it. return to 'Top of Page'”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“but: Co1 14:4, Co1 14:6 1 Corinthians 14:18”
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Related study paths

Read 1 Corinthians 14 in contextBrowse Greek word studiesOpen this verse in the study reader

Sources and verification