1 Corinthians 11:17

1 Corinthians 11:17 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)Now in this that I declare unto you I praise you not, that ye come together not for the better, but for the worse.
• New International Version (NIV)In the following directives I have no praise for you, for your meetings do more harm than good.
• English Standard Version (ESV)But in the following instructions I do not commend you, because when you come together it is not for the better but for the worse.
• New King James Version (NKJV)Now in giving these instructions I do not praise you, since you come together not for the better but for the worse.

Context of 1 Corinthians 11:17

15but if a woman has long hair, it is her ornament and glory? For her long hair is given to her as a covering. 16Now if anyone is inclined to be contentious [about this], we have no other practice [in worship than this], nor do the churches of God [in general]. But in giving this next instruction, I do not praise you, because when you meet together it is not for the better but for the worse. 18For, in the first place, when you meet together in church, I hear that there are divisions among you; and in part I believe it, 19for [doubtless] there have to be factions among you, so that those who are of approved character may be clearly recognized among you.

1 Corinthians 11:17 word by word

Τοῦτο δὲ παραγγέλλων οὐκ ἐπαινῶ ὅτι οὐκ εἰς τὸ κρεῖσσον ἀλλ᾽ εἰς τὸ ἧσσον συνέρχεσθε.¶Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• ·ὁho hē to · the/this/whoG3588
• Nowδέde · thenG1161
• in thisοὗτοςhoutos houtoi hautē hautai · this/he/she/itG3778
• that I declareπαραγγέλλωparaggellō · to orderG3853
• I praiseἐπαινέωepaineō · to praiseG1867
• notοὐou · noG3756
• thatὅτιhoti · that/since: sinceG3754
• ye come togetherσυνέρχομαιsunerchomai · to assembleG4905
• forεἰςeis · towardG1519
• the betterκρείττωνkreittōn · strongerG2909
• butἀλλάalla · butG235
• the worseἥσσωνhētton · less/worseG2276

Cross-references for 1 Corinthians 11:17

• 1 Corinthians 11:2I praise and appreciate you because you remember me in everything and you firmly hold to the traditions [the substance of my instructions], just as I have passed them on to you.
• Leviticus 19:17‘You shall not hate your brother in your heart; you may most certainly rebuke your neighbor, but shall not incur sin because of him.
• Proverbs 27:5Better is an open reprimand [of loving correction] Than love that is hidden.
• Romans 13:3For [civil] authorities are not a source of fear for [people of] good behavior, but for [those who do] evil. Do you want to be unafraid of authority? Do what is good and you will receive approval and commendation.
• 1 Peter 2:14or to governors as sent by him to bring punishment to those who do wrong, and to praise and encourage those who do right.
• 1 Corinthians 11:20So when you meet together, it is not to eat the Lord’s Supper,
• 1 Corinthians 14:23So then, if the whole church gathers together and all of you speak in [unknown] tongues, and outsiders or those who are not gifted [in spiritual matters] or unbelievers come in, will they not say that you are out of your mind?
• Isaiah 1:13Do not bring worthless offerings again, [Your] incense is repulsive to Me; [Your] New Moon and Sabbath [observances], the calling of assemblies— I cannot endure wickedness [your sin, your injustice, your wrongdoing] and [the squalor of] the festive assembly.
• Isaiah 58:1“Cry aloud, do not hold back; Lift up your voice like a trumpet, And declare to My people their transgression And to the house of Jacob their sins.
• Jeremiah 7:9Will you steal, murder, commit adultery, swear [oaths] falsely, offer sacrifices or burn incense to Baal, and follow after other gods that you have not known,
• Hebrews 10:25not forsaking our meeting together [as believers for worship and instruction], as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more [faithfully] as you see the day [of Christ’s return] approaching.

Commentaries on 1 Corinthians 11:17

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 17Now in this - I praise you not - In the beginning of this epistle the apostle did praise them for their attention in general to the rules he had laid down, see 1 Corinthians 11:2; but here he is obliged to condemn certain irregularities which had crept in among them, particularly relative to the celebration of the Lord's Supper. Through some false teaching which they had received, in the absence of the apostle, they appear to have celebrated it precisely…Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 17Now in this that I declare - In this that I am about to state to you; to wit, your conduct in regard to the Lord‘s Supper. Why this subject is introduced here is not very apparent. The connection may be this. In the subjects immediately preceding he had seen much to commend, and he was desirous of commending them as far as it could be done. In 1 Corinthians 11:2 of this chapter he commends them in general for their regard to the ordinances which he had…Read the comment
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 17-22Verses 17-22 The apostle rebukes the disorders in their partaking of the Lord's supper. The ordinances of Christ, if they do not make us better, will be apt to make us worse. If the use of them does not mend, it will harden. Upon coming together, they fell into divisions, schisms. Christians may separate from each other's communion, yet be charitable one towards another; they may continue in the same communion, yet be uncharitable. This last is schism…Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 17your gatherings: Early Christians met in someone's home at least once a week, usually on the Lord's Day (see 16:2).Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 1717. in this--which follows. I declare--rather, "I enjoin"; as the Greek is always so used. The oldest manuscripts read literally "This I enjoin (you) not praising (you)." that--inasmuch as; in that you, &c. Here he qualifies his praise (1Co 11:2). "I said that I praised you for keeping the ordinances delivered to you; but I must now give injunction in the name of the Lord, on a matter in which I praise you not; namely, as to the Lord's Supper (1Co 11:23…Read the comment

Topics related to 1 Corinthians 11:17

• Strife

In the dictionaries

• Comely
• Cover
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• Custom
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• Hear
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• Corinthians, First Epistle to the
• Jude, the Epistle of

Commentaries on 1 Corinthians 11

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
• Tyndale Open Study Notes
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
• Calvin’s Commentaries
• John Wesley’s Notes
• Illustrated New Testament
• Burkitt’s Expository Notes
• Darby Translation Notes
• Family Bible Notes
• Geneva Bible Translation Notes
• Kingcomments
• Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
• Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
• The People’s New Testament
• Robertson’s Word Pictures
• Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
• The Fourfold Gospel and Commentary on Acts
• Original Douay–Rheims Annotations
• Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
• EGW Writings