What is the more excellent way you should follow?

Definition and Context

The phrase “the more excellent way” appears in connection with spiritual gifts and the nature of love. After outlining various gifts for building one another up, Paul declares, “But eagerly desire the greater gifts. And now I will show you a way that is beyond comparison” (1 Corinthians 12:31). This statement precedes his well-known discussion in 1 Corinthians 13, where love is extolled as the foundational principle that surpasses all other virtues.

Essential Scriptural Basis

In 1 Corinthians 13:1–3, Paul explains that even the most impressive spiritual abilities—speaking in tongues, prophetic prowess, and sacrificial generosity—amount to nothing without love. Then he details the character of true love:

• “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.” (1 Corinthians 13:4)

• “It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no account of wrongs.” (1 Corinthians 13:5)

• “Love takes no pleasure in evil but rejoices in the truth.” (1 Corinthians 13:6)

• “It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.” (1 Corinthians 13:7)

This “more excellent way” holds that sincere love—directed toward God and toward others—transcends and undergirds every believer’s conduct and purpose.

Connection to the Nature of God

Scripture consistently teaches that genuine love originates from the Creator. In 1 John 4:7–8, readers see the foundation: “Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.” This divine attribute underpins the biblical command to love God wholeheartedly (Deuteronomy 6:5) and to love one’s neighbor as oneself (Leviticus 19:18; Matthew 22:37–39). The “more excellent way” is thus anchored in the unchanging character of an eternal God, observed from Genesis to Revelation in the unified testimony of Scripture.

Historical and Manuscript Reliability

Over centuries, scholars have examined the historical accuracy and integrity of Scripture. Discoveries such as the Dead Sea Scrolls (found in Qumran in 1947) have confirmed remarkable consistency in the transmission of Old Testament writings. For the New Testament, over 5,800 Greek manuscripts—alongside thousands of manuscripts in Latin, Coptic, and other languages—demonstrate the early proliferation and reliable preservation of the text.

Inscriptions referencing biblical figures and events (e.g., the Tel Dan Stele that mentions the “House of David”) corroborate historical accounts. Such archaeological and textual evidence affirms that the biblical call to follow this “more excellent way” arises from documents with verifiable antiquity and serious historical weight, not merely from unexamined tradition.

Practical Outworking of the “More Excellent Way”

1. Interpersonal Relationships

Practically, living out genuine love entails kindness, patience, and humility (1 Corinthians 13:4). Adopting these behaviors means avoiding manipulative tactics or self-centered motives, which run contrary to the blueprint for healthy, supportive relationships.

2. Community and Service

Church communities are called to function as cohesive bodies (1 Corinthians 12:12–20), where each member uses personal gifts while maintaining an attitude of love for one another. Volunteer service, mutual prayer, and care for the needy become robust expressions of love that transform communities and testify to others about the reality of God’s goodness.

3. Moral and Ethical Conduct

A commitment to love involves rejoicing in truth and rejecting evil (1 Corinthians 13:6). By applying moral principles—such as honesty, integrity, and fidelity—individuals embody the “more excellent way” in everyday choices, public life, employment settings, and personal habits.

4. Devotion to God

Jesus taught that the greatest commandment is to “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind” (Matthew 22:37). Love for God overflows into worship, prayer, and obedience to His Word. In worship, believers look to glorify God and submit willingly to His will, acknowledging Him as the purposeful Designer of all creation.

Philosophical and Behavioral Perspectives

Seen through the lens of human behavior, love shapes ethical frameworks and personal transformation. Countless psychological studies observe that people thrive in supportive, compassionate environments—reflecting what Scripture proclaims about humanity’s design for relationships. This alignment of scientific observation with biblical teaching underscores the resonance of God’s principles with our deepest needs.

Moreover, philosophical arguments for the existence of a moral lawgiver point toward an eternal God who established the very concept of right and wrong. As Romans 2:15 explains, “They show that the work of the law is written on their hearts,” indicating a universal moral law consistent with the biblical narrative of a Creator instilling conscience in humanity.

Affirmation of the Resurrection and Its Connection to Love

The resurrection of Christ is central to Christian faith, offering the ultimate demonstration of divine love: “For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son” (John 3:16). The eyewitness accounts of the risen Christ (1 Corinthians 15:3–8) and the transformation of the disciples from fearful followers to bold proclaimers align with multiple attested traditions, including early creedal statements documented in New Testament manuscripts. This historical event seals the believer’s hope, empowering a life lived according to the “more excellent way,” as it validates God’s power to bring eternal redemption.

Connection to Creation and Purpose

Scripture’s opening line—“In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth” (Genesis 1:1)—underscores the intentional design of the universe. Modern discussions of complex biological information, such as DNA’s genetic coding, complement the biblical claim that life is neither accidental nor purposeless. Whether examining the sudden appearance of diverse life forms in the fossil record or studying irreducible complexities in cellular structures, observations in nature fit with the notion of a Designer.

This same God who orchestrated creation designed human beings to flourish in relationships ruled by love. Echoing 1 Corinthians 13, love serves as the highest ethic that reflects God’s character.

Conclusion

The “more excellent way” spoken of in Scripture centers on love that is patient, kind, humble, truthful, and enduring. Rooted in the eternal character of God, validated by reliable manuscripts and historical evidence, and confirmed by the resurrection of Christ, this way transcends mere sentiment. It calls for a life marked by humility before God, selfless service to others, and a deep, abiding trust in the promises of Scripture.

Following this way of love answers the deepest questions of meaning, anchors moral behavior, and provides hope for the future. The biblical record, supported by history and relevant scientific findings, consistently testifies that such a path is not only good but divinely ordained. This is the “more excellent way,” a guiding principle for all who seek to glorify God and live in alignment with His eternal purposes.