Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version Now eagerly desire the greater gifts. And yet I will show you the most excellent way. New Living Translation So you should earnestly desire the most helpful gifts. But now let me show you a way of life that is best of all. English Standard Version But earnestly desire the higher gifts. And I will show you a still more excellent way. Berean Standard Bible But eagerly desire the greater gifts. And now I will show you the most excellent way. Berean Literal Bible But earnestly desire the greater gifts. And I show to you now a more surpassing way. King James Bible But covet earnestly the best gifts: and yet shew I unto you a more excellent way. New King James Version But earnestly desire the best gifts. And yet I show you a more excellent way. New American Standard Bible But earnestly desire the greater gifts. And yet, I am going to show you a far better way. NASB 1995 But earnestly desire the greater gifts. And I show you a still more excellent way. NASB 1977 But earnestly desire the greater gifts. And I show you a still more excellent way. Legacy Standard Bible But you earnestly desire the greater gifts. And I will yet show you a more excellent way. Amplified Bible But earnestly desire and strive for the greater gifts [if acquiring them is going to be your goal]. And yet I will show you a still more excellent way [one of the choicest graces and the highest of them all: unselfish love]. Christian Standard Bible But desire the greater gifts. And I will show you an even better way. Holman Christian Standard Bible But desire the greater gifts. And I will show you an even better way. American Standard Version But desire earnestly the greater gifts. And moreover a most excellent way show I unto you. Contemporary English Version I want you to desire the best gifts. So I will show you a much better way. English Revised Version But desire earnestly the greater gifts. And a still more excellent way shew I unto you. GOD'S WORD® Translation You [only] want the better gifts, but I will show you the best thing to do. Good News Translation Set your hearts, then, on the more important gifts. Best of all, however, is the following way. International Standard Version Keep on desiring the better gifts. And now I will show you the best way of all. Majority Standard Bible But eagerly desire the greater gifts. And now I will show you the most excellent way. NET Bible But you should be eager for the greater gifts. And now I will show you a way that is beyond comparison. New Heart English Bible But earnestly desire the greater gifts. Moreover, I show a most excellent way to you. Webster's Bible Translation But covet earnestly the best gifts. And yet I show to you a more excellent way. Weymouth New Testament But always seek to excel in the greater gifts. And now I will point out to you a way of life which transcends all others. World English Bible But earnestly desire the best gifts. Moreover, I show a most excellent way to you. Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionAnd earnestly desire the better gifts; and yet I show to you a far [more] excelling way: Berean Literal Bible But earnestly desire the greater gifts. And I show to you now a more surpassing way. Young's Literal Translation and desire earnestly the better gifts; and yet a far excelling way do I shew to you: Smith's Literal Translation And be emulous of the better favors: and yet I shew you a way according to eminence. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleBut be zealous for the better gifts. And I shew unto you yet a more excellent way. Catholic Public Domain Version But be zealous for the better charisms. And I reveal to you a yet more excellent way. New American Bible Strive eagerly for the greatest spiritual gifts. But I shall show you a still more excellent way. New Revised Standard Version But strive for the greater gifts. And I will show you a still more excellent way. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleBut if you are searching for the greater gifts, I will show you a more excellent way. Aramaic Bible in Plain English But if you are zealous for great gifts, I again shall show you a better way. NT Translations Anderson New TestamentBut seek earnestly the best gifts; and yet I show you a more excellent way. Godbey New Testament Seek earnestly these greater gifts; and yet I show unto you a more excellent way. Haweis New Testament But zealously seek the gifts that are the best: and yet I shew unto you a more transcendently excellent way. Mace New Testament you are contesting about the superiority of your gifts: but I point out to you a more excellent way. Weymouth New Testament But always seek to excel in the greater gifts. And now I will point out to you a way of life which transcends all others. Worrell New Testament But desire earnestly the greater gifts; and a still more excellent way I show you. Worsley New Testament Though I will shew you a way yet more excellent. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context The Greater Gifts…30Do all have gifts of healing? Do all speak in tongues? Do all interpret? 31But eagerly desire the greater gifts. And now I will show you the most excellent way. Cross References 1 Corinthians 13:1-13 If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a ringing gong or a clanging cymbal. / If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have absolute faith so as to move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. / If I give all I possess to the poor and exult in the surrender of my body, but have not love, I gain nothing. ... 1 Corinthians 14:1 Earnestly pursue love and eagerly desire spiritual gifts, especially the gift of prophecy. Romans 12:6-8 We have different gifts according to the grace given us. If one’s gift is prophecy, let him use it in proportion to his faith; / if it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; / if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is giving, let him give generously; if it is leading, let him lead with diligence; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully. Ephesians 4:11-13 And it was He who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, / to equip the saints for works of ministry and to build up the body of Christ, / until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God, as we mature to the full measure of the stature of Christ. Galatians 5:22-23 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, / gentleness, and self-control. Against such things there is no law. 1 Peter 4:10-11 As good stewards of the manifold grace of God, each of you should use whatever gift he has received to serve one another. / If anyone speaks, he should speak as one conveying the words of God. If anyone serves, he should serve with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be the glory and the power forever and ever. Amen. Matthew 5:19 So then, whoever breaks one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do likewise will be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever practices and teaches them will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 22:36-40 “Teacher, which commandment is the greatest in the Law?” / Jesus declared, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ / This is the first and greatest commandment. ... John 13:34-35 A new commandment I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you also must love one another. / By this everyone will know that you are My disciples, if you love one another.” John 15:12-13 This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. / Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends. Philippians 1:9-11 And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, / so that you may be able to test and prove what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, / filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God. Colossians 3:14 And over all these virtues put on love, which is the bond of perfect unity. Hebrews 6:10 For God is not unjust. He will not forget your work and the love you have shown for His name as you have ministered to the saints and continue to do so. James 2:8 If you really fulfill the royal law stated in Scripture, “Love your neighbor as yourself,” you are doing well. 1 John 3:18 Little children, let us love not in word and speech, but in action and truth. Treasury of Scripture But covet earnestly the best gifts: and yet show I to you a more excellent way. covet. 1 Corinthians 8:1 Now as touching things offered unto idols, we know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffeth up, but charity edifieth. 1 Corinthians 14:1,39 Follow after charity, and desire spiritual gifts, but rather that ye may prophesy… Matthew 5:6 Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled. shew. 1 Corinthians 13:1 Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal. Philippians 3:8 Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ, Hebrews 11:4 By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts: and by it he being dead yet speaketh. Jump to Previous Always Best Better Covet Desire Desires Eagerly Earnestly Excel Excellence Excellent Excelling Far Gifts Greater Higher Important Life Moreover Others Point Pointing Seek Shew Show Spirit Surpassing Transcends Turned WayJump to Next Always Best Better Covet Desire Desires Eagerly Earnestly Excel Excellence Excellent Excelling Far Gifts Greater Higher Important Life Moreover Others Point Pointing Seek Shew Show Spirit Surpassing Transcends Turned Way1 Corinthians 12 1. Spiritual gifts,4. are diverse, 7. yet to profit all. 8. And to that end are diversely bestowed; 12. as the members of a natural body tend all to the mutual decency, 22. service, 26. and helpfulness of the same body; 27. so we should do for one another, to make up the body of Christ. But eagerly desire the greater gifts. This phrase encourages believers to seek spiritual gifts that are most beneficial to the church community. In the context of 1 Corinthians 12, Paul discusses various spiritual gifts and their roles within the body of Christ. The "greater gifts" likely refer to those that edify the church, such as prophecy and teaching, as seen in 1 Corinthians 14:1-5. Historically, the Corinthian church was known for its diversity and division, which may have led to an overemphasis on certain gifts like speaking in tongues. Paul redirects their focus to gifts that build up the church. This aligns with the broader biblical principle of seeking to serve others, as seen in Philippians 2:3-4. And now I will show you the most excellent way. Persons / Places / Events 1. Paul the ApostleThe author of 1 Corinthians, Paul is addressing the church in Corinth, providing guidance on spiritual gifts and the importance of love. 2. The Church in Corinth A diverse and often divided early Christian community known for its spiritual gifts but also for its internal conflicts and misunderstandings. 3. Spiritual Gifts The context of this passage is a discussion on spiritual gifts, which are special abilities given by the Holy Spirit to believers for the edification of the church. 4. The Way of Love Paul introduces the concept of love as the most excellent way, which he elaborates on in the following chapter, 1 Corinthians 13. 5. The Holy Spirit The giver of spiritual gifts, emphasizing the unity and diversity within the body of Christ. Teaching Points Desire the Greater GiftsBelievers are encouraged to seek spiritual gifts that edify the church, such as prophecy and teaching, which build up the body of Christ. The Supremacy of Love While spiritual gifts are important, love is the most excellent way. It should be the foundation and motivation for all actions and use of gifts. Unity in Diversity The church is a body with many parts, each with different gifts. Embrace and celebrate this diversity, recognizing that all gifts are given by the same Spirit for the common good. Pursue Spiritual Maturity Spiritual gifts should lead to maturity in faith, characterized by love, unity, and growth in Christ-likeness. Practical Love in Action Apply love in everyday interactions within the church and beyond, ensuring that all actions and gifts are exercised in a spirit of love and service.(31) But covet oarnestly,--Better, But earnestly seek the better gifts. All this argument is not meant to check ardour and to damp enthusiasm. The Spirit divideth to every man as He wills, but He wills to give to each the best gift that each desires and is capable of receiving. The receptivity which comes with earnest and practical desire is in the case of each individual the determining cause as to what gift the Spirit will give. The last sentence, "And yet show I unto you a more excellent way," ought to form the opening clause of the next chapter. The "more excellent way" is not some gift to be desired to the exclusion of the other gifts, but a more excellent way of striving for those gifts. You are not to strive for any one gift because it is more highly esteemed, or because it is more apparently useful, or because it is more easily attained. That which will consecrate every struggle for attainment and every gift when attained is LOVE. Verse 31. - Covet earnestly; literally, be zealous for, strongly desire. That which we aim at we usually attain; and we should aim at that which really is, not at that which seems, the most splendid charism. And yet show I unto you a more excellent way. The "more excellent way" is the way of love, which he sets forth in the next chapter, and which lies open to all Christians without distinction. The verse means either, "And further" (besides bidding you aim at the better gifts), "I show you one supreme way of attaining them;" or, "And I show you a still more eminent way." I bid you desire the best gifts, and further show you a truly royal road (viam maxime vialem), a road par excellence, which leads to their attainment. The way of love would lead to them, and it was itself the best of them. "All the way to heaven lies through heaven, and the path to heaven is heaven." |
    |