1 Corinthians 12:31

1 Corinthians 12:31 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)But covet earnestly the best gifts: and yet shew I unto you a more excellent way.
• New International Version (NIV)Now eagerly desire the greater gifts. And yet I will show you the most excellent way.
• English Standard Version (ESV)But earnestly desire the higher gifts. And I will show you a still more excellent way.
• New King James Version (NKJV)But earnestly desire the best gifts. And yet I show you a more excellent way.

Context of 1 Corinthians 12:31

29Are we all apostles? Are we all prophets? Are we all teachers? Do we all have the power to do miracles? 30Do we all have the gift of healing? Do we all have the ability to speak in unknown languages? Do we all have the ability to interpret unknown languages? Of course not! 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 word by word

ζηλοῦτε δὲ τὰ χαρίσματα τὰ μείζονα.¶ Καὶ ἔτι καθ᾽ ὑπερβολὴν ὁδὸν ὑμῖν δείκνυμι.¶Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• ·ὁho hē to · the/this/whoG3588
• Butδέde · thenG1161
• covet earnestlyζηλόωzēloō · be eagerG2206
• the bestκρείττωνkreittōn · strongerG2909
• giftsχάρισμαcharisma · giftG5486
• andκαίkai · andG2532
• yetἔτιeti · stillG2089
• shew Iδεικνύωdeiknuō · to showG1166
• unto youσύsu · youG4771
• ·κατάkata · according toG2596
• a more excellentὑπερβολήhuperbolē · surpassingG5236
• wayὁδόςhodos · roadG3598

Cross-references for 1 Corinthians 12:31

• 1 Corinthians 8:1Now regarding your question about food that has been offered to idols. Yes, we know that “we all have knowledge” about this issue. But while knowledge makes us feel important, it is love that strengthens the church.
• 1 Corinthians 14:1Let love be your highest goal! But you should also desire the special abilities the Spirit gives—especially the ability to prophesy.
• Matthew 5:6God blesses those who hunger and thirst for justice, for they will be satisfied.
• Luke 10:42There is only one thing worth being concerned about. Mary has discovered it, and it will not be taken away from her.”
• 1 Corinthians 13:1If I could speak all the languages of earth and of angels, but didn’t love others, I would only be a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal.
• Philippians 3:8Yes, everything else is worthless when compared with the infinite value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have discarded everything else, counting it all as garbage, so that I could gain Christ
• Hebrews 11:4It was by faith that Abel brought a more acceptable offering to God than Cain did. Abel’s offering gave evidence that he was a righteous man, and God showed his approval of his gifts. Although Abel is long dead, he still speaks to us by his example of faith.

Commentaries on 1 Corinthians 12:31

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 31But covet earnestly - To covet signifies to desire earnestly. This disposition towards heavenly things is highly laudable; towards earthly things, is deeply criminal. A man may possess the best of all these gifts, and yet be deficient in what is essentially necessary to his salvation, for he may be without that love or charity which the apostle here calls the more excellent way, and which he proceeds in the next chapter to describe. Some think that this…Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 31But covet earnestly - Greek “Be zealous for” ͂ ZēlouteThis word, however, may be either in the indicative mood (ye do covet earnestly), or in the imperative, as in our translation. Doddridge contends that it should be rendered in the indicative mood, for he says it seems to be a contradiction that after the apostle had been showing that these gifts were not at their own option, and that they ought not to emulate the gifts of another, or aspire to…Read the comment
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 27-31Verses 27-31 Contempt, hatred, envy, and strife, are very unnatural in Christians. It is like the members of the same body being without concern for one another, or quarrelling with each other. The proud, contentious spirit that prevailed, as to spiritual gifts, was thus condemned. The offices and gifts, or favours, dispensed by the Holy Spirit, are noticed. Chief ministers; persons enabled to interpret Scripture; those who laboured in word and doctrine…Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 31Believers should eagerly seek the most helpful gifts, those with the greatest potential to strengthen the church (see 14:12). They should remember that God distributes gifts as he chooses (12:11, 18, 28). Paul encourages the Corinthians to look beyond their desire for the gift of tongues (compare 14:1–25, 27; see 12:10) because it has the least potential to strengthen the church. And now I will show you the most excellent way: This statement leads to…Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 3131. covet earnestly--Greek, "emulously desire." Not in the spirit of discontented "coveting." The Spirit "divides to every man severally as He will" (1Co 12:1); but this does not prevent men earnestly seeking, by prayer and watchfulness, and cultivation of their faculties, the greatest gifts. Beza explains, "Hold in the highest estimation"; which accords with the distinction in his view (1Co 14:1) between "follow after charity--zealously esteem spiritual…Read the comment

Topics related to 1 Corinthians 12:31

• Holiness
• Miracles

In the dictionaries

• Administration
• Bond
• Charity
• Covet
• Temper
• Tongues, Gift of
• Affect; Affection
• Best
• Church Government
• Communion; (fellowship)

Commentaries on 1 Corinthians 12

• 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