1 Corinthians 12:31
But earnestly desire the higher gifts. And I will show you a still more excellent way.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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Paul doesn't just tell them to want the best spiritual gifts; the original Greek suggests a fervent, even zealous pursuit, like a hungry person longing for food. Yet, immediately after urging this intense desire, he hints that there's an even greater path than striving for specific gifts. It's a subtle but powerful pivot, suggesting that the way we pursue gifts, and the love that underpins it, is ultimately more crucial.
Paul is wrapping up his discussion on spiritual gifts, moving from a general overview to emphasizing the importance of love as the ultimate way to use them. He’s just listed various gifts like prophecy, tongues, and healing, but he’s about to present love as superior to all of them, showing how it should guide the proper exercise of every gift. This verse sets up the iconic chapter 13, where Paul unpacks this "more excellent way."
Paul tells us to 'earnestly desire' something. What does that look like, and what are we aiming for?
Paul uses a strong word here, 'earnestly desire' (or 'zealously seek'). It's not a passive wish, but an active, passionate pursuit. He's directing the Corinthian church, and us, to aim for the 'higher gifts.' What makes a gift 'higher'? It's not about personal preference or what makes us look good. In the context of 1 Corinthians 12, these 'higher gifts' are those that most powerfully build up the entire church body – gifts like prophecy, teaching, and wisdom, which have a communal benefit. It's about desiring what God values most for His people's growth, not just what we might find personally exciting.
After urging us to seek the best spiritual gifts, Paul introduces something even better. What could possibly surpass God's own gifts?
Paul concludes chapter 12 by pointing beyond specific spiritual gifts to something more profound: 'And I will show you a still more excellent way.' This is a pivotal moment! He's not dismissing the gifts; he's contextualizing them. The 'more excellent way' he reveals in chapter 13 is love. True spiritual maturity and effectiveness aren't ultimately measured by the presence or power of spiritual gifts, but by the presence and practice of selfless, sacrificial love. Gifts can cease, but love never fails. This love is the foundation and the ultimate expression of God's character and the Christian life.
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
This passage immediately follows, defining 'the more excellent way' as love, which should underpin the use of all spiritual gifts. It shows that even the most powerful gifts are worthless without love.
Romans 12:3-8Paul encourages believers to use their diverse gifts humbly, recognizing they all come from God and are meant to work together in the body of Christ. This echoes the idea of desiring gifts that build up the community.
Galatians 5:22-23This passage lists the fruit of the Spirit—love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control—which are 'higher' qualities than some of the more spectacular gifts. These internal qualities are essential for using any gift rightly.
1 Corinthians 14:1-5Paul contrasts the gift of prophecy with speaking in tongues, urging believers to desire gifts that edify the church, similar to desiring 'higher' gifts that serve others. He emphasizes building up the community as the primary goal.
Paul doesn't just tell them to want the best spiritual gifts; the original Greek suggests a fervent, even zealous pursuit, like a hungry person longing for food. Yet, immediately after urging this intense desire, he hints that there's an even greater path than striving for specific gifts. It's a subtle but powerful pivot, suggesting that the way we pursue gifts, and the love that underpins it, is ultimately more crucial.
Paul is wrapping up his discussion on spiritual gifts, moving from a general overview to emphasizing the importance of love as the ultimate way to use them. He’s just listed various gifts like prophecy, tongues, and healing, but he’s about to present love as superior to all of them, showing how it should guide the proper exercise of every gift. This verse sets up the iconic chapter 13, where Paul unpacks this "more excellent way."
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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 is wrapping up his discussion on spiritual gifts, moving from a general overview to emphasizing the importance of love as the ultimate way to use them. He’s just listed various gifts like prophecy, tongues, and healing, but he’s about to present love as superior to all of them, showing how it should guide the proper exercise of every gift. This verse sets up the iconic chapter 13, where Paul unpacks this "more excellent way."
"But earnestly desire the higher gifts.
And I will show you a still more excellent way." — Paul doesn't just tell them to want the best spiritual gifts; the original Greek suggests a fervent, even zealous pursuit, like a hungry person longing for food. Yet, immediately after urging this…
