1 Corinthians 11:17

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

¶ Now in this that I declare [unto you] I praise [you] not, that ye come together not for the better, but for the worse.

Complete Jewish Bible:

But in giving you this next instruction I do not praise you, because when you meet together it does more harm than good!

Berean Standard Bible:

In the following instructions I have no praise to offer, because your gatherings do more harm than good.

American Standard Version:

But in giving you this charge, I praise you not, that ye come together not for the better but for the worse.

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

Now^{G1161} in this^{G5124} that I declare^{G3853} unto you I praise^{G1867} you not^{G3756}, that^{G3754} ye come together^{G4905} not^{G3756} for^{G1519} the better^{G2909}, but^{G235} for^{G1519} the worse^{G2276}.

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Commentary for 1 Corinthians 11:17

1 Corinthians 11:17 is part of the Apostle Paul's first letter to the Christian community in Corinth, a city in ancient Greece. In this verse, Paul is addressing issues related to the gatherings of the Corinthian church, particularly the Lord's Supper or Eucharist. The historical context of the verse is crucial to understanding its message. The early Christian church often met in homes for communal meals that included the observance of the Eucharist.

The themes Paul touches upon in this verse include disunity, selfishness, and the misuse of the Lord's Supper. He expresses disappointment ("I praise [you] not") because when the Corinthians come together, instead of edifying one another and strengthening their community, they are doing the opposite—causing division and exacerbating social inequalities. The verse suggests that the Corinthians' gatherings had become occasions where disparities between the wealthy and the poor were highlighted, rather than being opportunities for unity and mutual encouragement in faith.

Paul's criticism here is not merely about the conduct at these gatherings but also about the spiritual condition and the lack of love and consideration for one another within the church. He is calling for a correction in their practices to ensure that the Lord's Supper is observed in a manner that is consistent with its true meaning and purpose—to remember Christ's sacrifice and to foster the body of Christ, the church, as a unified and loving community. This verse sets the stage for the more detailed instructions Paul provides in the subsequent passages regarding the proper observance of the Eucharist.

*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model

Strong's Numbers and Definitions:

Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)

1. Strong's Number: G1161
   There are 2556 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: δέ
   Transliteration: dé
   Pronunciation: deh
   Description: a primary particle (adversative or continuative); but, and, etc.:--also, and, but, moreover, now (often unexpressed in English).
   
2. Strong's Number: G5124
   There are 303 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: τοῦτο
   Transliteration: toûto
   Pronunciation: too'-to
   Description: neuter singular nominative or accusative case of οὗτος; that thing:--here (-unto), it, partly, self(-same), so, that (intent), the same, there(-fore, -unto), this, thus, where(-fore).
   
3. Strong's Number: G3853
   There are 30 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: παραγγέλλω
   Transliteration: parangéllō
   Pronunciation: par-ang-gel'-lo
   Description: from παρά and the base of ἄγγελος; to transmit a message, i.e. (by implication) to enjoin:--(give in) charge, (give) command(-ment), declare.
   
4. Strong's Number: G1867
   There are 5 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: ἐπαινέω
   Transliteration: epainéō
   Pronunciation: ep-ahee-neh'-o
   Description: from ἐπί and αἰνέω; to applaud:--commend, laud, praise.
   
5. Strong's Number: G3756
   There are 1328 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: οὐ
   Transliteration: ou
   Pronunciation: ookh
   Description: a primary word; the absolute negative (compare μή) adverb; no or not:--+ long, nay, neither, never, no (X man), none, (can-)not, + nothing, + special, un(-worthy), when, + without, + yet but. See also οὐ μή, μῆκος.
   
6. Strong's Number: G3754
   There are 1189 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: ὅτι
   Transliteration: hóti
   Pronunciation: hot'-ee
   Description: neuter of ὅστις as conjunction; demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because:--as concerning that, as though, because (that), for (that), how (that), (in) that, though, why.
   
7. Strong's Number: G4905
   There are 32 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: συνέρχομαι
   Transliteration: synérchomai
   Pronunciation: soon-er'-khom-ahee
   Description: from σύν and ἔρχομαι; to convene, depart in company with, associate with, or (specially), cohabit (conjugally):--accompany, assemble (with), come (together), come (company, go) with, resort.
   
8. Strong's Number: G1519
   There are 1513 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: εἰς
   Transliteration: eis
   Pronunciation: ice
   Description: a primary preposition; to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases:--(abundant-)ly, against, among, as, at, (back-)ward, before, by, concerning, + continual, + far more exceeding, for (intent, purpose), fore, + forth, in (among, at, unto, -so much that, -to), to the intent that, + of one mind, + never, of, (up-)on, + perish, + set at one again, (so) that, therefore(-unto), throughout, til, to (be, the end, -ward), (here-)until(-to), …ward, (where-)fore, with. Often used in composition with the same general import, but only with verbs (etc.) expressing motion (literally or figuratively).
   
9. Strong's Number: G2909
   There are 17 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: κρείττων
   Transliteration: kreíttōn
   Pronunciation: krite'-tohn
   Description: comparative of a derivative of κράτος; stronger, i.e. (figuratively) better, i.e. nobler:--best, better.
   
10. Strong's Number: G235
    There are 635 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: ἀλλά
    Transliteration: allá
    Pronunciation: al-lah'
    Description: neuter plural of ἄλλος; properly, other things, i.e. (adverbially) contrariwise (in many relations):--and, but (even), howbeit, indeed, nay, nevertheless, no, notwithstanding, save, therefore, yea, yet.
    
11. Strong's Number: G2276
    There are 2 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: ἥττον
    Transliteration: hḗtton
    Pronunciation: hate'-ton
    Description: neuter of comparative of (slightly) used for that of κακός; worse (as noun); by implication, less (as adverb):--less, worse.