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?
Original Language Analysis
ἐὰν
when
G1437
ἐὰν
when
Strong's:
G1437
Word #:
2 of 24
a conditional particle; in case that, provided, etc.; often used in connection with other particles to denote indefiniteness or uncertainty
εὐλογήσῃς
thou shalt bless
G2127
εὐλογήσῃς
thou shalt bless
Strong's:
G2127
Word #:
3 of 24
to speak well of, i.e., (religiously) to bless (thank or invoke a benediction upon, prosper)
τῷ
G3588
τῷ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
4 of 24
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
πνεύματι
with the spirit
G4151
πνεύματι
with the spirit
Strong's:
G4151
Word #:
5 of 24
a current of air, i.e., breath (blast) or a breeze; by analogy or figuratively, a spirit, i.e., (human) the rational soul, (by implication) vital prin
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
6 of 24
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἀναπληρῶν
shall he that occupieth
G378
ἀναπληρῶν
shall he that occupieth
Strong's:
G378
Word #:
7 of 24
to complete; by implication, to occupy, supply; figuratively, to accomplish (by coincidence ot obedience)
τὸν
G3588
τὸν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
8 of 24
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
τόπον
the room
G5117
τόπον
the room
Strong's:
G5117
Word #:
9 of 24
a spot (general in space, but limited by occupancy; whereas g5561 is a large but participle locality), i.e., location (as a position, home, tract, etc
τοῦ
G3588
τοῦ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
10 of 24
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἰδιώτου
of the unlearned
G2399
ἰδιώτου
of the unlearned
Strong's:
G2399
Word #:
11 of 24
a private person, i.e., (by implication) an ignoramus (compare "idiot")
πῶς
how
G4459
πῶς
how
Strong's:
G4459
Word #:
12 of 24
an interrogative particle of manner; in what way? (sometimes the question is indirect, how?); also as exclamation, how much!
ἐρεῖ
say
G2046
ἐρεῖ
say
Strong's:
G2046
Word #:
13 of 24
an alternate for g2036 in certain tenses; to utter, i.e., speak or say
τὸ
G3588
τὸ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
14 of 24
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Ἀμήν
Amen
G281
Ἀμήν
Amen
Strong's:
G281
Word #:
15 of 24
properly, firm, i.e., (figuratively) trustworthy; adverbially, surely (often as interjection, so be it)
ἐπὶ
at
G1909
ἐπὶ
at
Strong's:
G1909
Word #:
16 of 24
properly, meaning superimposition (of time, place, order, etc.), as a relation of distribution (with the genitive case), i.e., over, upon, etc.; of re
τῇ
G3588
τῇ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
17 of 24
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
εὐχαριστίᾳ
giving of thanks
G2169
εὐχαριστίᾳ
giving of thanks
Strong's:
G2169
Word #:
19 of 24
gratitude; actively, grateful language (to god, as an act of worship)
ἐπειδὴ
seeing
G1894
ἐπειδὴ
seeing
Strong's:
G1894
Word #:
20 of 24
since now, i.e., (of time) when, or (of cause) whereas
τί
what
G5101
τί
what
Strong's:
G5101
Word #:
21 of 24
an interrogative pronoun, who, which or what (in direct or indirect questions)
λέγεις
thou sayest
G3004
λέγεις
thou sayest
Strong's:
G3004
Word #:
22 of 24
properly, to "lay" forth, i.e., (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or set discourse; whereas g2036 and g5346 generally refer to an
Cross References
Revelation 5:14And the four beasts said, Amen. And the four and twenty elders fell down and worshipped him that liveth for ever and ever.Psalms 106:48Blessed be the LORD God of Israel from everlasting to everlasting: and let all the people say, Amen. Praise ye the LORD.1 Chronicles 16:36Blessed be the LORD God of Israel for ever and ever. And all the people said, Amen, and praised the LORD.Jeremiah 28:6Even the prophet Jeremiah said, Amen: the LORD do so: the LORD perform thy words which thou hast prophesied, to bring again the vessels of the LORD'S house, and all that is carried away captive, from Babylon into this place.1 Corinthians 11:24And 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.Revelation 7:12Saying, Amen: Blessing, and glory, and wisdom, and thanksgiving, and honour, and power, and might, be unto our God for ever and ever. Amen.Nehemiah 8:6And Ezra blessed the LORD, the great God. And all the people answered, Amen, Amen, with lifting up their hands: and they bowed their heads, and worshipped the LORD with their faces to the ground.Numbers 5:22And 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.
Historical Context
'Amen' was the congregation's participatory response in Jewish and early Christian worship. Paul's point: tongues without interpretation reduces the congregation to mute observers, destroying participatory worship.
Questions for Reflection
- What's the significance of saying 'Amen' in corporate worship?
- How does uninterpreted speech turn participants into spectators?
- What modern worship practices might similarly prevent congregational participation?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
Else when thou shalt bless with the spirit, how shall he that occupieth the room of the unlearned say Amen?—Paul imagines someone giving eulogia (εὐλογία, "blessing, thanksgiving") in tongues. The person anaplerou ton topon tou idiōtou (ἀναπληροῦ τὸν τόπον τοῦ ἰδιώτου, "filling the place of the unlearned/uninitiated") can't say Amēn (Ἀμήν, "so be it, truly").
Idiōtēs (ἰδιώτης) means a private person, layman, or here, someone ignorant of the tongue being spoken. Seeing he understandeth not what thou sayest—without understanding, the hearer can't affirm with "Amen," the congregational response of agreement (Deut 27:15-26). Uninterpreted tongues make corporate worship impossible; participants become spectators.