The meaning of this verse contrasts with the meaning of verse 2, as the words On the other hand show.

Men again includes women. Die Bibel im heutigen Deutsch has “others,” and Parola Del Signore: La Bibbia in Lingua Corrente has “the community.” They are probably anticipating “church” in verse 4.

There is some overlap in meaning between the terms translated upbuilding, encouragement, and consolation. The word for upbuilding is used in this chapter in the sense of “building up the church” as in verse 12. The word translated encouragement includes the idea of support and “strengthening” (New International Version). The word for consolation is not used elsewhere in the New Testament. However, a related noun in Phil 2.1 is translated “comforts” by Good News Bible, and a related verb in 1 Thes 5.14 is rendered “encourage” in Revised Standard Version. If there is any significant distinction between these three terms, it is that upbuilding refers more to the strengthening of the church; encouragement means more generally help and support; and consolation means the fostering of good spirit among the Christian community. New Jerusalem Bible and Revised English Bible translate these nouns by verbal expressions; Revised English Bible “his words have power to build; they stimulate and encourage.”

Quoted with permission from Ellingworth, Paul and Hatton, Howard A. A Handbook on Paul’s First Letter to the Corinthians, 2nd edition. (UBS Handbook Series). New York: UBS, 1985/1994. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .