1 Corinthians 14:17 Meaning and Explanation
“For thou verily givest thanks well, but the other is not edified.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Your thanksgiving may be good in itself, but the other person gains no benefit from it.
What Does 1 Corinthians 14:17 Mean?
Paul grants the goodness of the prayer even as he names its limitation. The thanksgiving is genuine and well offered before God; the problem lies entirely in its effect on the one who cannot understand it.
This is a gracious balance. Paul never says the heartfelt prayer is wrong, only that it does not reach the neighbor it might have blessed. A good thing can still fall short of love if it leaves others untouched. The measure he keeps returning to is whether the brother is built up. In the assembly, devotion is not complete until it overflows to strengthen someone else.
Frequently Asked Questions About 1 Corinthians 14:17
What does 1 Corinthians 14:17 mean?
Your thanksgiving may be good in itself, but the other person gains no benefit from it.