But earnestly desire the higher gifts. And I will show you a still more excellent way.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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1 Corinthians 12:31
What does 1 Corinthians 12:31 mean?
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1 Corinthians 12:31
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The most striking thing here is that Paul doesn't immediately tell them what that "more excellent way" is. Instead, he first commands them to earnestly desire the higher spiritual gifts, then promises to reveal something even better, creating a powerful build-up of anticipation for the love chapter that follows. This isn't just an enthusiastic suggestion; it’s a directive, showing the intense importance he places on both valuing spiritual gifts and understanding the supreme excellence of love.
But earnestly desire the higher gifts. And I will show you a still more excellent way.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Paul has just finished detailing the diverse spiritual gifts God gives to the church, like wisdom, knowledge, faith, healing, and prophecy. He's been emphasizing that each gift is essential and belongs to the whole body of Christ. Now, he shifts gears, encouraging believers to go after the more impactful gifts, but immediately points them towards something even greater than any individual gift: love.
Paul doesn't just tell believers to have gifts, but to desire them. What does that mean, and what are these 'higher' gifts?
The phrase 'earnestly desire' in verse 31 carries a powerful sense of passionate longing and eager pursuit. It’s not a passive wish, but an active yearning for something valuable. Paul is pointing the Corinthian church towards spiritual gifts that build up the whole body of Christ and promote unity, often called the 'higher' or 'greater' gifts. These are gifts that serve the church most effectively, like prophecy, apostleship (in its foundational sense), and teaching, as opposed to gifts that might cause division or be less conducive to corporate worship.
This isn't about personal ambition or seeking gifts for status. It's about a God-centered desire for the tools that best equip the church to fulfill its mission and glorify God.
After directing the Corinthians to seek the best gifts, Paul pivots. What could be 'still more excellent' than the most coveted spiritual gifts?
Paul's declaration, 'And I will show you a still more excellent way,' is a profound turning point. He's not negating the importance of spiritual gifts, but he's revealing a path that surpasses even the most powerful manifestations of those gifts. This 'more excellent way' is love, as fully detailed in the following chapter (1 Corinthians 13).
Love is the foundational virtue and the indispensable context for all spiritual gifts. Without love, even the most spectacular gift – speaking in tongues, prophecy, immense faith – amounts to nothing (1 Cor 13:1-3). Love is patient, kind, doesn't envy, boast, or act arrogantly. It is the very character of God and the ultimate expression of Christlikeness. This 'way' is not a gift to be sought, but a way of being that must permeate every aspect of a believer's life and ministry.
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Understand the original words
zēloō · Greek Verb
A strong, active, and persistent longing or zeal for something. In a biblical context, it refers to the focused ambition of a believer to pursue spiritual maturity and the manifestation of God's grace.
charisma · Greek Noun
Refers to spiritual endowments or capacities granted by the Holy Spirit to believers for the edification of the church. These are not inherent talents but manifestations of grace designed to serve the body of Christ.
kreittōn · Greek Adjective
Comparative adjective indicating that which is of greater value, importance, or spiritual significance. It denotes a ranking of priority concerning the manifestation of the Spirit's power in the life of the believer.
hodos · Greek Noun
Denotes a path, journey, or manner of living. Biblically, it often refers to the lifestyle or moral trajectory that characterizes one who follows the teachings of Christ.
hyperbolē · Greek Noun (adverbial construction)
Used here to describe the 'way' of love, suggesting an outcome or state that is surpassing, superior, and of incomparable worth compared to all other pursuits.
Paul concludes his lengthy discussion on spiritual gifts by pointing the Corinthians beyond mere desire for the 'highest' gifts to a more excellent way: love, as detailed in the following chapter.
c. AD 49-50
Founding of Corinthian Church
Paul established the church in Corinth during his second missionary journey, encountering both Jews and Gentiles in this bustling Roman port city.
c. AD 50-52
Paul's Ministry in Corinth
Paul lived and ministered in Corinth for about eighteen months, teaching and building up the new Christian community.
c. AD 55— this verse
Writing of 1 Corinthians
Paul writes this letter from Ephesus in response to reports from Chloe's household and questions submitted by the Corinthian church itself.
c. AD 55
Disputes in Corinth
The Corinthian church was plagued by divisions, rivalries, and the misuse of spiritual gifts, leading to disorder and immaturity.
c. AD 55
Emphasis on Spiritual Gifts
A strong emphasis, and perhaps an unhealthy competition, existed regarding the exercise of spiritual gifts like speaking in tongues and prophecy.
This passage immediately follows 12:31 and details the 'more excellent way' as love, showing that even spiritual gifts pale in comparison to the supreme importance of love.
Galatians 5:22-23This passage describes the fruit of the Spirit, which are qualities that should be earnestly desired and cultivated, representing a spiritual maturity that surpasses mere giftedness.
Romans 12:3-8Paul discusses spiritual gifts here, emphasizing that they are diverse but all work together within the body of Christ, providing context for understanding how gifts should function in unity and humility.
Philippians 2:3-4This passage encourages believers to consider others better than themselves and to look out for the interests of others, aligning with the spirit of 'higher gifts' that serve and build up the community rather than self.
The most striking thing here is that Paul doesn't immediately tell them what that "more excellent way" is. Instead, he first commands them to earnestly desire the higher spiritual gifts, then promises to reveal something even better, creating a powerful build-up of anticipation for the love chapter that follows. This isn't just an enthusiastic suggestion; it’s a directive, showing the intense importance he places on both valuing spiritual gifts and understanding the supreme excellence of love.
Paul has just finished detailing the diverse spiritual gifts God gives to the church, like wisdom, knowledge, faith, healing, and prophecy. He's been emphasizing that each gift is essential and belongs to the whole body of Christ. Now, he shifts gears, encouraging believers to go after the more impactful gifts, but immediately points them towards something even greater than any individual gift: love.
Paul has just finished detailing the diverse spiritual gifts God gives to the church, like wisdom, knowledge, faith, healing, and prophecy. He's been emphasizing that each gift is essential and belongs to the whole body of Christ. Now, he shifts gears, encouraging believers to go after the more impactful gifts, but immediately points them towards something even greater than any individual gift: love.
"But earnestly desire the higher gifts.
And I will show you a still more excellent way." — The most striking thing here is that Paul doesn't immediately tell them what that "more excellent way" is. Instead, he first commands them to earnestly desire the higher spiritual gifts, then pro…
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Last reviewed October 2026