1 Corinthians 14:17

17 For indeed you are giving thanks well, but the other person is not edified.

1 Corinthians 14:17 Meaning and Commentary

1 Corinthians 14:17

For thou verily givest thanks well
In very proper words, and pertinent expressions, with great affection and devotion, suitable to the service;

but the other is not edified;
the rest of the people, who do not understand the language in which thanks are given; "thy friend", as the Syriac version reads it; or thy next neighbour, he that stands by thee, receives no manner of profit by it, because he does not understand what is said.

1 Corinthians 14:17 In-Context

15 {Therefore what should I do}? I will pray with my spirit, but I will also pray with my mind. I will sing praise with my spirit, but I will also sing praise with my mind.

16 For otherwise, if you praise in [your] spirit, how will the one who fills the place of the outsider say the "amen" at your thanksgiving, because he does not know what you are saying?

17 For indeed you are giving thanks well, but the other person is not edified.

18 I give thanks to God [that] I speak with tongues more than all of you,

19 but in the church I prefer to speak five words with my mind, in order that I may instruct other [people], than ten thousand words in a tongue.