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 languages in the world, and every language has meaning. 11But if I don’t understand a language, I will be a foreigner to someone who speaks it, and the one who speaks it will be a foreigner to me. And the same is true for you. Since you are so eager to have the special abilities the Spirit gives, seek those that will strengthen the whole church. 13So anyone who speaks in tongues should pray also for the ability to interpret what has been said. 14For if I pray in tongues, my spirit is praying, but I don’t understand what I am saying.

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 14:1Let love be your highest goal! But you should also desire the special abilities the Spirit gives—especially the ability to prophesy.
• 1 Corinthians 12:7A spiritual gift is given to each of us so we can help each other.
• 1 Corinthians 14:32Remember that people who prophesy are in control of their spirit and can take turns.
• 1 Corinthians 14:3But one who prophesies strengthens others, encourages them, and comforts them.

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