1 Corinthians 14:18

I thank God that I speak in tongues more than all of you.

Berean Standard Bible

Study note

Setting — Paul addresses the Corinthian believers while correcting their misuse of spiritual gifts during corporate gatherings. He makes this declaration while weighing the value of tongues against intelligible instruction for the assembly.

The words — γλώσσαις (glōssais) translates literally as "in tongues," and Εὐχαριστῶ (Eucharistō) means "I thank." Paul places these terms in direct contrast to establish that his personal practice exceeds theirs.

The thread — The motif of thanksgiving to God for spiritual grace appears in 1 Corinthians 1:4, while the warning against boasting over received gifts is stated in 1 Corinthians 4:7. The immediate context in 1 Corinthians 14:17 and 14:19 frames this thanksgiving within the priority of communal edification.

Why it lands — The text states explicitly that Paul gives thanks for his greater frequency of speaking in tongues, then immediately qualifies that privilege by demanding intelligible speech for instruction. Readers must assess whether their spiritual practices serve the congregation's understanding rather than personal distinction.

Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.

The Greek words

ΕὐχαριστῶEucharistōI thank τῷtōthe θεῷtheōGod μου,mouof mine πάντωνpantōnthan all ὑμῶνhumōnof you μᾶλλονmallonmore γλώσσαιςglōssaisin tongues λαλῶ·lalōspeaking;

King James Version

I thank my God, I speak with tongues more than ye all:

Cross-references

1 Corinthians 1:4 I always thank my God for you because of the grace He has given you in Christ Jesus.
1 Corinthians 4:7 For who makes you so superior? What do you have that you did not receive? And if you did receive it, why do you boast as though you did not?