Bible Strands
1 Corinthians 12:31
But eagerly desire the greater gifts. And now I will show you the most excellent way.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Paul addresses the Corinthian church immediately after listing rhetorical questions about healing and tongues in 12:30, shifting the congregation's focus from individual spiritual abilities to a unified pursuit.
The words — ζηλοῦτε (zēloute) literally means "be desirous of" or "eagerly desire," and μείζονα (meizona) means "greater." Together they form a direct command to pursue the superior spiritual gifts.
The thread — This pursuit of greater gifts connects to the supremacy of love in 1 Corinthians 13:1, the instruction to eagerly prophesy in 1 Corinthians 14:39, and the promise to those who hunger for righteousness in Matthew 5:6.
Why it lands — The text requires readers to actively seek the most beneficial gifts while recognizing that love remains the necessary foundation for their exercise.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Greek words
King James Version
But covet earnestly the best gifts: and yet shew I unto you a more excellent way.
Cross-references
- 1 Corinthians 13:1 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.
- 1 Corinthians 14:39 So, my brothers, be eager to prophesy, and do not forbid speaking in tongues.
- Matthew 5:6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.
- Philippians 3:8 More than that, I count all things as loss compared to the surpassing excellence of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ
- Luke 10:42 But only one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, and it will not be taken away from her.”
- 1 Corinthians 8:1 Now about food sacrificed to idols: We know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffs up, but love builds up.
- Hebrews 11:4 By faith Abel offered God a better sacrifice than Cain did. By faith he was commended as righteous when God gave approval to his gifts. And by faith he still speaks, even though he is dead.