1 Corinthians 14:17 — Meaning and Application

King James Version

“For thou verily givest thanks well, but the other is not edified.”

1 Corinthians 14:17

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Understanding the surrounding verses prevents misinterpretation:

What is it then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will pray with the understanding also: I will sing with the spirit, and I will sing with the understanding also.

Else when thou shalt bless with the spirit, how shall he that occupieth the room of the unlearned say Amen at thy giving of thanks, seeing he understandeth not what thou sayest?

For thou verily givest thanks well, but the other is not edified.

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

Yet in the church I had rather speak five words with my understanding, that {by my voice} I might teach others also, than ten thousand words in an {unknown} tongue.

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1 Corinthians 14:1

"Follow after charity, and desire spiritual {gifts}, but rather that ye may prophesy."

1 Corinthians 14:2

"For he that speaketh in an {unknown} tongue speaketh not unto men, but unto God: for no man understandeth {him}; howbeit in the spirit he speaketh mysteries. {understandeth: Gr. heareth}"

1 Corinthians 14:3

"But he that prophesieth speaketh unto men {to} edification, and exhortation, and comfort."

1 Corinthians 14:4

"He that speaketh in an {unknown} tongue edifieth himself; but he that prophesieth edifieth the church."

1 Corinthians 14:5

"I would that ye all spake with tongues, but rather that ye prophesied: for greater {is} he that prophesieth than he that speaketh with tongues, except he interpret, that the church may receive edifying."

1 Corinthians 14:6

"Now, brethren, if I come unto you speaking with tongues, what shall I profit you, except I shall speak to you either by revelation, or by knowledge, or by prophesying, or by doctrine?"

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