What does the phrase "Preaching to the choir" mean and where did it come from?

Answer 1

It means telling something to someone who already knows it and believes it. The members of the choir are already members of the church, usually pretty dedicated ones, and so "preaching" to them is rather unnecessary. They sit there long enough, they get to know all the minister's sermons anyway. My mother was in the choir for many years, and was also a Sunday school teacher. She could have given the sermons herself when the minister was sick.

Answer 2

Preach To The Choir

Answer 3

It comes from religion. The choir, a group of singers/muscians who show up every Sunday (or other religious day set aside for worship) to sing religious music.

Preaching is the activity of a minister/leader of religious group in talking to followers of that religion, usually explaining the religion or exhorting the congregation (listeners/followers of the religion) to lead better lives using the rules of the religion.

Thus, "preaching to the choir" means that the minister is probably wasting his/her time preaching to people who show up every week. The minister would be better to preach to people who show up less often. The minister doesn't need to convince the choir!

An example outside of religious life:
"The football announcer was 'preaching to the choir' when he was talking to the fans of Manchester United about how good Manchester was playing."

Answer 4

Cheney is one of the best at "preaching to the choir." Cheney has incredible difficulties speaking before a group where there is even one in the audience who disagrees with him. (For instance, his speech at the University of Tennessee.) So Cheney speaks only to hand selected audiences.

And so it goes to preachers who preach hell and brimstone to those to attend, not spending much time to bring new people into the congregation. He is "preaching to the choir" and thusly, he is accomplishing nothing.

Answer 5

Means you are talking to people who should have this message down pat already.

probably came from a church - where the choir is always behind the preacher

Answer 6

When Jesus first came to earth, He came as a humble man, a servant, and a sacrifice for mankind. When Jesus returns to earth (when the Son of Man comes in His glory), He's going to come back as Jesus the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. He's not coming back as a meek, humble servant, He's coming back in all His power and majesty and holiness. Basically, He's gonna let it all out and the whole world will see Him as He truly is. It's gonna be "glory" beyond anything we can imagine.