1 Corinthians 14:16

Else when thou shalt bless A further argument Even your prayers and thanksgivings are useless, for none can respond to them. Some commentators, e.g. Dean Stanley, have supposed the Eucharistic blessing to be meant (see ch. 1 Corinthians 10:16). This, though probable, is by no means certain. That it was some well-known form of blessing or thanksgiving is however clear from what follows.

with the spirit i.e. in an unknown tongue. See note on 1 Corinthians 14:12,

he that occupieth the room of the unlearned Room(τόπος), as in St Matthew 23:6; St Luke 14:7-8, &c., stands for place. Wiclif renders it here by place. Cf. "office and roome," Hollinshead's Scotland. The word rendered here unlearnedsignifies (1) a private person, layman, one who holds no office. Hence (2) it comes to signify a man who has no special or technical knowledge of any particular art or science, as in Acts 4:13; 2 Corinthians 11:6, just as a lawyer calls those laymenwho are not versed in law. Therefore the meaning here most probably is (with Meyer and Bp. Wordsworth) "those who have no special gift such as that of prophecy, or tongues." Some would render - the layman's place," and regard it as referring to the seats set apart for the laity in the assembly. But the majority of commentators would render he who fills the situation of the not specially endowed. St Clement of Rome uses τόπος in this latter sense in his Epistle, ch. 40.

Amen Literally, the Amen, the well-known response, either optative, "So be it," or affirmative, "So it is," as common in the synagogue as in the Christian Church to any prayer or thanksgiving. See Nehemiah 5:13; Revelation 5:14. Justin Martyr (circa 150) uses the same language concerning the response to the Eucharistic prayer in his day.