Book of 1 Corinthians - Chapter 11 - Verse 17

When the apostle Paul wrote the verse "Now in this that I declare unto you I praise you not, that ye come together not for the better, but for the worse," he was addressing the behavior of the Corinthians during their meetings. Paul was disappointed that instead of gathering together to improve spiritually and support one another, they were actually causing harm and division among themselves. The verse serves as a reminder to believers about the importance of coming together in a spirit of unity, love, and edification. It highlights the need for Christians to gather with the intention of growing in faith, encouraging one another, and glorifying God, rather than engaging in harmful behaviors or activities that hinder their spiritual growth. By reflecting on this verse, believers are encouraged to examine the purpose and attitude behind their gatherings and ensure that they are truly coming together for the betterment of their own spiritual walk and the community as a whole.

This verse highlights the importance of the congregation coming together in a way that is beneficial for all. The apostle Paul, in his letter to the Corinthians, expresses his concern that their gatherings are not leading to spiritual growth but rather causing harm. The word "better" refers to improvement or advancement, suggesting that their meetings should be a time of edification and building up in faith. However, the Corinthians were not using their time together for this purpose, but instead were engaging in behaviors or activities that were detrimental to their spiritual well-being. The word "worse" indicates a decline or deterioration, showing that their gatherings were actually hindering their growth as believers. This verse serves as a reminder for us today to ensure that our gatherings with other believers are focused on encouraging and uplifting one another in faith, rather than leading to harm or division.