1 Corinthians 12:31 kjv
But covet earnestly the best gifts: and yet shew I unto you a more excellent way.
1 Corinthians 12:31 nkjv
But earnestly desire the best gifts. And yet I show you a more excellent way.
1 Corinthians 12:31 niv
Now eagerly desire the greater gifts. And yet I will show you the most excellent way.
1 Corinthians 12:31 esv
But earnestly desire the higher gifts. And I will show you a still more excellent way.
1 Corinthians 12:31 nlt
So you should earnestly desire the most helpful gifts. But now let me show you a way of life that is best of all.
1 Corinthians 12 31 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Cor 14:1 | Desire spiritual gifts, especially prophecy. | Emphasis on better gifts |
| Gal 5:22-23 | But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. | Gifts vs. Fruit, broader benefit |
| 1 Cor 13:13 | And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love. | Love as the supreme way |
| Eph 4:11-12 | So Christ gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, and the pastors and teachers, to equip God’s people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up. | Gifts for edification |
| Col 3:14 | And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. | Love uniting gifts |
| 1 Thess 5:19-21 | Do not put out the Spirit’s fire; do not treat prophecies with contempt, but test everything. Hold on to what is good. | Discernment in gifts |
| Phil 2:3-4 | Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others. | Humility in pursuit of gifts |
| Romans 12:6 | We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is... | Gifts according to grace |
| 1 Cor 12:27 | Now you are the body of Christ, and each of you is a member of it. | Unity of the body |
| John 14:12 | Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they in fact will do greater works than these, because I am going to the Father. | Higher works through Him |
| 1 Cor 12:8-10 | For to one is given through the Spirit the utterance of wisdom, to another the utterance of knowledge and so on... | Various gifts listed |
| Romans 14:19 | Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification. | Goal of spiritual pursuits |
| 1 Peter 4:10 | Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. | Service to others |
| Heb 12:14 | Make every effort to live in peace with everyone and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord. | Effort towards good |
| Eph 4:3 | Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. | Unity in the Spirit |
| 1 Cor 1:26-27 | Consider your calling… God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. | God's wisdom over human preference |
| Acts 2:17-18 | “And in the last days it shall be, God declares, that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh…” | The Spirit poured out |
| 1 Cor 14:3 | But the one who prophesies speaks to people for their strengthening, encouraging and comfort. | Benefit of prophecy |
| 1 Cor 14:4 | Anyone who speaks in a tongue edifies themselves, but one who prophesies edifies the church. | Church edification |
| Gal 6:10 | Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers. | Doing good to all |
| 1 Cor 12:30 | Do all have gifts of healing? Do all speak in tongues? Do all interpret? | Rhetorical questions on gifts |
1 Corinthians 12 verses
1 Corinthians 12 31 Meaning
The verse emphasizes the highest pursuit for believers, urging them to passionately desire and seek spiritual gifts. However, it immediately qualifies this pursuit by directing it towards the greater, more beneficial gifts that edify the church, rather than solely focusing on more spectacular or personally desired abilities. It's a call to cultivate spiritual maturity by prioritizing the communal good over individual preference or pride.
1 Corinthians 12 31 Context
This verse serves as the concluding statement to Paul's extensive discourse on spiritual gifts in 1 Corinthians 12 and 13. The preceding chapters addressed the proper use and understanding of these manifestations of the Holy Spirit within the church. The Corinthian church was experiencing divisions and improper functioning, partly due to a misplaced emphasis on certain more visible or spectacular spiritual gifts. Paul, in chapters 12 and 14, seeks to reorient their understanding, emphasizing that all gifts are from the Spirit for the common good and must be exercised within a framework of love (chapter 13) and order for the edification of the entire body of Christ. This verse is the culmination of the argument in chapter 12, setting the stage for further instruction in chapter 14 regarding specific gifts.
1 Corinthians 12 31 Word Analysis
- Zēloō (ζηλοῦτε): To be zealous for, to desire eagerly, to pursue passionately. This is a strong imperative verb, indicating an active and fervent pursuit. It’s not a passive wishing, but an active seeking.
- ta (τὰ): The (definite article).
- charismata (χαρίσματα): Gifts of grace, spiritual gifts. This refers to the extraordinary abilities empowered by the Holy Spirit for the benefit of the church.
- hyperekbolēn (ὑπερβολὴν): Excess, superiority, eminence. This adverbial accusative indicates a greater degree, to an exceeding measure.
- pasa (πᾶσα): All, every.
- charis (χάρις): Grace, gift, favour. Here, it emphasizes that the superior gifts are also a product of God's grace.
- tē (τῇ): The (definite article).
- ēkklēsia (ἐκκλησίᾳ): The church, assembly, congregation.
Group of Words Analysis:
- "But earnestly desire the greater gifts": This phrase, "earnestly desire" (zēloō) and "greater gifts" (ta charisma hyperbolen pason charis), commands believers to actively seek and pursue those gifts that have the most significant and beneficial impact on the entire church. The implication is that some gifts are more beneficial for building up the community than others, a point Paul elaborates on in the next chapter. This directly contrasts with potential internal rivalries or undue emphasis on less edifying gifts, as hinted at by the rhetorical questions in verse 30.
1 Corinthians 12 31 Bonus Section
The use of "earnestly desire" (zēloō) carries a connotation of fervent longing and zeal, mirroring the description of love "envieth not" in 1 Corinthians 13:4, but in a positive, God-ward direction. It suggests an imitation of God’s zeal for His people’s welfare. The distinction of "greater gifts" directly combats any spirit of elitism or hierarchy based on perceived personal importance of a gift; rather, the "greatness" is determined by their potential for corporate edification, highlighting love and building-up as the supreme measure. This verse sets a critical hermeneutical principle for understanding all discussions on spiritual gifts: their value is measured by their contribution to the church’s spiritual health and unity.
1 Corinthians 12 31 Commentary
This verse is a powerful conclusion to Paul’s teaching on the diversity and unity of spiritual gifts. It shifts the focus from simply acknowledging the existence of various gifts to a directive for action: a passionate pursuit of those gifts that contribute most to the building up of the entire church community. This is not about self-gratification or boasting, but about actively seeking what will best serve God's people. The pursuit is directed towards "greater gifts" – those with the most capacity for constructive impact, such as teaching, prophecy, or love (as seen in chapter 13), rather than a coveting of exclusive or spectacular manifestations. It encapsulates the essence of Christian service: using God-given abilities for the benefit of others, prioritizing the collective good within the body of Christ.