What does "giving thanks well enough" mean in the context of spiritual gifts? Setting the Scene in Corinth • The church was eager to exercise spiritual gifts, especially tongues (glōssai). • Paul affirms tongues as a genuine work of the Holy Spirit (1 Colossians 14:5), yet he insists they be governed by love (ch. 13) and the goal of edifying the body (14:12). • He contrasts two scenarios: speaking in an un-interpreted tongue versus speaking intelligibly so all can understand. Text in Focus 1 Corinthians 14:17: “For you may be giving thanks well enough, but the other person is not edified.” What “Giving Thanks Well Enough” Signifies • “Giving thanks” points to worship—offering praise and gratitude to God. • “Well enough” (Greek: kalōs) means the thanksgiving itself is perfectly acceptable before God; the problem lies elsewhere. • Paul’s point: private benefit is never a substitute for public edification. A believer may be genuinely worshiping—his thanksgiving is real, orthodox, heartfelt—yet if no one understands, the church receives no spiritual benefit. Key Observations • Valid Gift, Misapplied Setting – Tongues are Spirit-given (14:18) and cause the speaker to “speak mysteries in the Spirit” (14:2). – Without interpretation, those mysteries remain locked away from listeners. • Thanksgiving vs. Edification – Thanksgiving is vertical—directed to God. – Edification is horizontal—building up fellow believers. – Paul will not let the vertical cancel out the horizontal (cf. 1 John 4:20). • Love Governs Use – Love “seeks not its own” (1 Colossians 13:5). – Therefore, a Spirit-filled believer happily limits private expression for the sake of corporate growth. Supporting Scriptures • John 4:24—Worship must be “in spirit and in truth,” implying both sincerity and intelligibility. • Colossians 3:16—“Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly… teaching and admonishing one another… singing with gratitude.” Intelligible words allow mutual admonition. • Ephesians 4:29—Speech should “give grace to those who hear.” No benefit if no one can hear or understand. • Psalm 34:3—“Magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt His name together.” True corporate worship is shared, not solitary performance. Practical Takeaways for Today • Private Tongues, Public Order – Enjoy personal prayer languages in private (14:28). – In corporate worship, provide interpretation or remain silent, so all can understand and agree. • Evaluate Every Gift by Its Fruit – Does it clarify Christ, strengthen faith, or encourage obedience? – If not, adjust the context or manner of expression. • Balance Personal Devotion and Corporate Responsibility – God delights in individual praise, yet He commands us to “consider how to spur one another on toward love and good deeds” (Hebrews 10:24). • Keep Thanksgiving Central—but Audible – Give thanks often and enthusiastically (1 Thessalonians 5:18). – Whenever possible, articulate that gratitude in words accessible to all, turning private thanksgiving into shared doxology. Summary “Giving thanks well enough” acknowledges that a believer’s worship in tongues is sincere and Spirit-born. Yet without interpretation it remains a private blessing, failing the biblical test of edification. Paul’s remedy is simple: speak in ways the church can grasp. When thanksgiving becomes intelligible, the whole body is blessed, Christ is glorified, and the Spirit’s gifts fulfill their purpose. |
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