1 Corinthians 14:1

1 Corinthians 14:1 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)Follow after charity, and desire spiritual gifts, but rather that ye may prophesy.
• 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.
• New Living Translation (NLT)Let love be your highest goal! But you should also desire the special abilities the Spirit gives—especially the ability to prophesy.

Context of 1 Corinthians 14:1

Follow the way of love and eagerly desire gifts of the Spirit, especially prophecy. 2For anyone who speaks in a tongue does not speak to people but to God. Indeed, no one understands them; they utter mysteries by the Spirit. 3But the one who prophesies speaks to people for their strengthening, encouraging and comfort.

1 Corinthians 14:1 word by word

Διώκετε τὴν ἀγάπην· ζηλοῦτε δὲ τὰ πνευματικά, μᾶλλον δὲ ἵνα προφητεύητε.Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• ·ὁho hē to · the/this/whoG3588
• Follow afterδιώκωdiōkō · to pursueG1377
• charityἀγάπηagapē · loveG26
• andδέde · thenG1161
• desireζηλόωzēloō · be eagerG2206
• spiritualπνευματικόςpneumatikos · spiritualG4152
• ratherμᾶλλονmallon · more: ratherG3123
• thatἵναhina · in order that/toG2443
• ye may prophesyπροφητεύωprophēteuō · to prophesyG4395

Cross-references for 1 Corinthians 14:1

• Proverbs 15:9The Lord detests the way of the wicked, but he loves those who pursue righteousness.
• Proverbs 21:21Whoever pursues righteousness and love finds life, prosperity and honor.
• Isaiah 51:1“Listen to me, you who pursue righteousness and who seek the Lord: Look to the rock from which you were cut and to the quarry from which you were hewn;
• Romans 9:30What then shall we say? That the Gentiles, who did not pursue righteousness, have obtained it, a righteousness that is by faith;
• Romans 14:19Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification.
• 1 Timothy 5:10and is well known for her good deeds, such as bringing up children, showing hospitality, washing the feet of the Lord’s people, helping those in trouble and devoting herself to all kinds of good deeds.
• 1 Timothy 6:11But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness.
• Hebrews 12:14Make every effort to live in peace with everyone and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord.
• 1 Peter 3:11They must turn from evil and do good; they must seek peace and pursue it.
• 3 John 1:11Dear friend, do not imitate what is evil but what is good. Anyone who does what is good is from God. Anyone who does what is evil has not seen God.
• 1 Corinthians 13:1If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal.
• 2 Timothy 2:22Flee the evil desires of youth and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.
• 2 Peter 1:7and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love.
• 1 Corinthians 12:1Now about the gifts of the Spirit, brothers and sisters, I do not want you to be uninformed.
• Ephesians 1:3Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ.
• 1 Corinthians 14:3But the one who prophesies speaks to people for their strengthening, encouraging and comfort.

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

• Love
• Miracles
• Preaching

In the dictionaries

• Spiritual Gifts
• Confusion
• Desire
• Edification
• Except
• Pipe
• Profit
• Tongues, Gift of
• Affect; Affection
• Corinthians, First Epistle to the

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