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Daily Devotions

1 Corinthians

1 Corinthians 
Day 
Day 179

"The place of the uninformed..."

Text: 1 Corinthians 14:16

CONCERN FOR THE UNINFORMED

Paul was always deeply concerned about those who were weaker in their understanding of faith. Thus, concern is seen in this text.

“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?
For you indeed give thanks well, but the other is not edified.”
1 Corinthians 14:16-17

1. The context

a) This must be clearly understood.
b) Paul was imagining a church worship service in this text.
c) And someone is offering a prayer in a tongue.

2. The person who prays

a) He maintains that he is blessing the Lord “with the spirit”.
b) But he has not thought of the uninformed (not well-instructed).

3. Paul’s query

a) The person who is uninformed will not be able to appreciate the prayer offered.
b) He will not be able to say “Amen” with the person who offered the prayer “in a tongue”.
c) He cannot say “Amen” for that would be endorsing or agreeing with the prayer offered.
d) How could he do that if he does not understand the prayer offered in the first place?

4. Paul’s remark

a) “For you indeed give thanks well”
i) He gives the person praying the benefit of the doubt.
ii) Perhaps he did give thanks to God brilliantly “in a tongue”.
iii) There might be a tinge of sarcasm in this remark.
b) “But the other is not edified”
i) All gifts were given to edify the church.
ii) Through edification the church is made stronger.
iii) The desire to edify the church should be foremost in the mind of anyone exercising his spiritual gift from the Lord.
iv) Each worship service ought to have edification in the mind.

This will then truly redound to the glory of the Lord!