American Standard Version
1 Corinthians 14:1
1Follow after love; yet desire earnestly spiritualgifts, but rather that ye may prophesy.
1 Corinthians 14:1 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)Follow after charity, and desire spiritual gifts, but rather that ye may prophesy.
- New International Version (NIV)Follow the way of love and eagerly desire gifts of the Spirit, especially prophecy.
- English Standard Version (ESV)Pursue love, and earnestly desire the spiritual gifts, especially that you may prophesy.
- New King James Version (NKJV)Pursue love, and desire spiritual gifts, but especially that you may prophesy.
Context of 1 Corinthians 14:1
Follow after love; yet desire earnestly spiritualgifts, but rather that ye may prophesy. 2For he that speaketh in a tongue speaketh not unto men, but unto God; for no man understandeth; but in the spirit he speaketh mysteries. 3But he that prophesieth speaketh unto men edification, and exhortation, and consolation.
Read all of 1 Corinthians 141 Corinthians 14:1 word by word
Διώκετε τὴν ἀγάπην· ζηλοῦτε δὲ τὰ πνευματικά, μᾶλλον δὲ ἵνα προφητεύητε.Read the interlinear
Cross-references for 1 Corinthians 14:1
- Proverbs 15:9The way of the wicked is an abomination to Jehovah; But he loveth him that followeth after righteousness.
- Proverbs 21:21He that followeth after righteousness and kindness Findeth life, righteousness, and honor.
- Isaiah 51:1Hearken to me, ye that follow after righteousness, ye that seek Jehovah: look unto the rock whence ye were hewn, and to the hole of the pit whence ye were digged.
- Romans 9:30What shall we say then? That the Gentiles, who followed not after righteousness, attained to righteousness, even the righteousness which is of faith:
- Romans 14:19So then let us follow after things which make for peace, and things whereby we may edify one another.
- 1 Timothy 5:10well reported of for good works; if she hath brought up children, if she hath used hospitality to strangers, if she hath washed the saints’ feet, if she hath relieved the afflicted, if she hath diligently followed every good work.
- 1 Timothy 6:11But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness.
- Hebrews 12:14Follow after peace with all men, and the sanctification without which no man shall see the Lord:
- 1 Peter 3:11And let him turn away from evil, and do good; Let him seek peace, and pursue it.
- 3 John 1:11Beloved, imitate not that which is evil, but that which is good. He that doeth good is of God: he that doeth evil hath not seen God.
- 1 Corinthians 13:1If I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am become sounding brass, or a clanging cymbal.
- 2 Timothy 2:22But flee youthful lusts, and follow after righteousness, faith, love, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart.
- 2 Peter 1:7and in your godliness brotherly kindness; and in your brotherly kindness love.
- 1 Corinthians 12:1Now concerning spiritualgifts, brethren, I would not have you ignorant.
- Ephesians 1:3Blessedbethe God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ:
- 1 Corinthians 14:3But he that prophesieth speaketh unto men edification, and exhortation, and consolation.
Commentaries on 1 Corinthians 14:1
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 1Follow after charity - Most earnestly labor to be put in possession of that love which beareth, believeth, hopeth, and endureth all things. It may be difficult to acquire, and difficult to retain this blessed state, but it is essential to your present peace and eternal happiness. This clause belongs to the preceding chapter. Desire spiritual gifts - Ye are very intent on getting those splendid gifts which may add to your worldly consequence, and please…Read the comment
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 1Follow after charity - Pursue love 1 Corinthians 13:1; that is, earnestly desire it; strive to possess it; make it the object of your anxious and constant solicitude to obtain it, and to be influenced by it always. Cultivate it in your own hearts, as the richest and best endowment of the Holy Spirit, and endeavor to diffuse its happy influence on all around you. And desire spiritual gifts - I do not forbid you, while you make the possession of love your…Read the comment
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 1Prophecy preferred to the gift of tongues. (1-5) The unprofitableness of speaking in unknown languages. (6-14) Exhortations to worship that can be understood. (15-25) Disorders from vain display of gifts; (26-33) and from women speaking in the church. (34-40) Verses 1-5 Prophesying, that is, explaining Scripture, is compared with speaking with tongues. This drew attention, more than the plain interpretation of Scripture; it gratified pride more, but…Read the comment
- Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 1Among all the special abilities the Spirit provides (see study note on 1 Corinthians 12:1–14:40), Paul urges the Corinthians to seek the ability to prophesy because it benefits the church more (see 12:10) .Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 1-251Co 14:1-25. Superiority of Prophecy over Tongues. 1. Follow after charity--as your first and chief aim, seeing that it is "the greatest" (1Co 13:13). and desire--Translate, "Yet (as a secondary aim) desire zealously (see on 1Co 12:31) spiritual gifts." but rather--"but chiefly that ye may prophesy" (speak and exhort under inspiration) (Pr 29:18; Ac 13:1; 1Th 5:20), whether as to future events, that is, strict prophecy, or explaining obscure parts of…Read the comment
Topics related to 1 Corinthians 14:1
In the dictionaries
Commentaries on 1 Corinthians 14
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
- Tyndale Open Study Notes
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
- Calvin’s Commentaries
- John Wesley’s Notes
- Illustrated New Testament
- Burkitt’s Expository Notes
- Darby Translation Notes
- Family Bible Notes
- Geneva Bible Translation Notes
- Kingcomments
- Luther’s Commentary on Selected Bible Passages
- Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
- Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
- The People’s New Testament
- Robertson’s Word Pictures
- Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
- Original Douay–Rheims Annotations
- Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
- EGW Writings
American Standard Version — 1901 — Public Domain
Commentaries