1 Corinthians 14:12

1 Corinthians 14:12 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)Even so ye, forasmuch as ye are zealous of spiritual gifts, seek that ye may excel to the edifying of the church.
• New International Version (NIV)So it is with you. Since you are eager for gifts of the Spirit, try to excel in those that build up the church.
• English Standard Version (ESV)So with yourselves, since you are eager for manifestations of the Spirit, strive to excel in building up the church.
• New King James Version (NKJV)Even so you, since you are zealous for spiritual gifts, let it be for the edification of the church that you seek to excel.

Context of 1 Corinthians 14:12

10There are many different kinds of languages in this world. They all mean something to the people who speak them. 11Perhaps somebody may speak to me in a language that I do not understand. Then we are like foreign people to each other. So think about what is best for you. You really want the gifts that come from God's Spirit. Most of all, you should want the gifts that will help the whole church to become stronger. 13So, if you speak a message in a different language, you should pray to God about it. Pray that you may be able to explain to people what the message means. 14If I pray in a different language, only my spirit is praying. But I do not use my mind while I pray like that.

1 Corinthians 14:12 word by word

οὕτως καὶ ὑμεῖς, ἐπεὶ ζηλωταί ἐστε πνευμάτων, πρὸς τὴν οἰκοδομὴν τῆς ἐκκλησίας ζητεῖτε ἵνα περισσεύητε.¶Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• Evenκαίkai · andG2532
• soοὕτωςhoutō · thus(-ly)G3779
• yeσύsu · youG4771
• forasmuch asἐπείepei · sinceG1893
• ye areεἰμίeimi · to beG1510
• zealousζηλωτήςzēlōtēs · zealotG2207
• of spiritualπνεῦμαpneuma · spirit/breath: spiritG4151
• seekζητέωzēteō · to seekG2212
• thatἵναhina · in order that/toG2443
• ye may excelπερισσεύωperisseuō · to exceedG4052
• toπρόςpros · to/withG4314
• the edifyingὁho hē to · the/this/whoG3588
• the edifyingοἰκοδομήoikodomē · buildingG3619
• of the churchἐκκλησίαekklēsia · assemblyG1577

Cross-references for 1 Corinthians 14:12

• 1 Corinthians 14:1So you must always want to love other people. Also, want very much to receive spiritual gifts from God. More than anything else, want to speak messages from God.
• 1 Corinthians 12:7God helps each of us with a gift from his Spirit. He does that so that we can help others.
• 1 Corinthians 14:32All of you who speak messages from God have authority over your own spirits.
• 1 Corinthians 14:3But if someone speaks a clear message from God, he helps the people who hear him. He helps them to become stronger as believers. He helps them to be happy and strong in their troubles.

Commentaries on 1 Corinthians 14:12

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 12For as much as ye are zealous - Seeing ye affect so much to have spiritual gifts, seek that ye may get those by which ye may excel in edifying the Church.Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 12Even so ye - Since you desire spiritual gifts, I may urge it upon you to seek to he able to speak in a clear and intelligible manner, that you may edify the church. This is one of the most valuable endowments of the Spirit; and this should be earnestly desired. Forasmuch as ye are zealous - Since you earnestly desire; See the note at 1 Corinthians 12:31. Spiritual gifts - The endowments conferred by the Holy Spirit; See the note at 1 Corinthians 12:1…Read the comment
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 6-14Verses 6-14 Even an apostle could not edify, unless he spoke so as to be understood by his hearers. To speak words that have no meaning to those who hear them, is but speaking into the air. That cannot answer the end of speaking, which has no meaning; in this case, speaker and hearers are barbarians to each other. All religious services should be so performed in Christian assemblies, that all may join in, and profit by them. Language plain and easy to be…Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 12The Spirit gives special abilities to strengthen the entire church (see 12:7; 14:4; compare Ephesians 4:15–16).Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 1212. zealous--emulously desirous. spiritual gifts--literally, "spirits"; that is, emanations from the one Spirit. seek that ye may excel to--Translate, "Seek them, that ye may abound in them to the edifying," &c.Read the comment

Topics related to 1 Corinthians 14:12

• Interpretation
• Language
• Miracles
• Preaching
• Tongues (the Gift)
• Zeal, Religious

In the dictionaries

• Spiritual Gifts
• Confusion
• Desire
• Edification
• Except
• Pipe
• Profit
• Tongues, Gift of
• Corinthians, First Epistle to the
• Holy Spirit

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