1st Corinthians Chapter 12 verse 31 Holy Bible
But desire earnestly the greater gifts. And moreover a most excellent way show I unto you.
read chapter 12 in ASV
But let your desires be turned to the more important things given by the Spirit. And now I am pointing out to you an even better way.
read chapter 12 in BBE
But desire earnestly the greater gifts, and yet shew I unto you a way of more surpassing excellence.
read chapter 12 in DARBY
But covet earnestly the best gifts: and yet shew I unto you a more excellent way.
read chapter 12 in KJV
read chapter 12 in WBT
But earnestly desire the best gifts. Moreover, I show a most excellent way to you.
read chapter 12 in WEB
and desire earnestly the better gifts; and yet a far excelling way do I shew to you:
read chapter 12 in YLT
Pulpit Commentary
Pulpit CommentaryVerse 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."
Ellicott's Commentary
Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers(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.
