1 Corinthians 12:31

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Corinthians 12:31

The comparison of gifts and graces. The most important aspect of religion is the practical one. It is a power working for good upon the whole of our human natures, effecting vital changes, and moulding our conduct and conversation to the pattern of a new model; a Divine power, quickening every right and good faculty our natures may possess, and consecrating to God their exercise; a power seeking to crush and kill all wrong within us and about us, checking every form of evil influence. The... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 1 Corinthians 12:31

But covet earnestly - Greek “Be zealous for” Ζηλοῦτε Zēloute. This word, however, may be either in the indicative mood (ye do covet earnestly), or in the imperative, as in our translation. Doddridge contends that it should be rendered in the indicative mood, for he says it seems to be a contradiction that after the apostle had been showing that these gifts were not at their own option, and that they ought not to emulate the gifts of another, or aspire to superiority, to undo all again, and... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - 1 Corinthians 12:28-31

1 Corinthians 12:28-31. And God hath set in the church first apostles Who planted the gospel in the heathen nations, being honoured with an office of the highest distinction, and furnished with endowments peculiar to themselves; secondly, prophets Who either foretold things to come, or spake by extraordinary inspiration for the edification of the church; thirdly, teachers Of an inferior class. Under prophets and teachers, are comprised evangelists and pastors. After that,... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - 1 Corinthians 12:12-31

Unity in spite of many gifts (12:12-31)The human body is made up of many parts, all with different functions, yet there is a basic unity throughout the body. So it is in the church which is Christ’s body. All believers, without distinction, are introduced into and united in that body through the baptism of the Spirit. The same Spirit dwells within each one (12-13).Many parts make up the body, and all are necessary for its proper functioning. Those without more obvious gifts should not think... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - 1 Corinthians 12:31

covet earnestly . Greek. zeloo. See Acts 7:9 . best . The texts read "greater". more excellent . Literally according to (Greek. kata . App-104 .) excellence. See Romans 7:13 . read more

Thomas Coke

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - 1 Corinthians 12:31

1 Corinthians 12:31. But covet earnestly the best gifts.— But ye contend earnestly about the best gifts. "Ye contend one with another whose particular gift is best, and most preferable; but I will shew you a more excellent way; namely, mutual good-will, affection, and charity;" or, in one word, LOVE. That this is the Apostle's meaning is plain, in that there was an emulation among them, and a strife for precedency, on account of the several gifts they had, which made them in their assemblies... read more

Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - 1 Corinthians 12:31

31. covet earnestly—Greek, "emulously desire." Not in the spirit of discontented "coveting." The Spirit "divides to every man severally as He will" (1 Corinthians 12:1); but this does not prevent men earnestly seeking, by prayer and watchfulness, and cultivation of their faculties, the greatest gifts. BEZA explains, "Hold in the highest estimation"; which accords with the distinction in his view (1 Corinthians 14:1) between "follow after charity—zealously esteem spiritual gifts"; also with (1... read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - 1 Corinthians 12:4-31

2. The need for varieties of spiritual gifts 12:4-31Paul planned to return to the subject of glossolalia (ch. 14), but first he wanted to talk more generally about spiritual gifts. In the verses that follow he dealt with differences in gifts in the church."Having given the negative and positive criterion of genuine spiritual endowments as manifested in speech, the Apostle goes on to point out the essential oneness of these very varied gifts." [Note: Robertson and Plummer, p. 262.] Diversity,... read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - 1 Corinthians 12:27-31

The fact of diversity restated 12:27-31Next, the apostle spoke more specifically about the members of the body of Christ again (cf. 1 Corinthians 12:1-11). read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - 1 Corinthians 12:31

Paul advised the Corinthians to seek some gifts more than others because some are more significant in the functioning of the body than others. While the bestowal of gifts is the sovereign prerogative of the Spirit (1 Corinthians 12:8-11; 1 Corinthians 12:18), human desire plays a part in His bestowal (cf. James 4:2). This seems to indicate that the Spirit does not give all His gifts to us at the moment of our salvation. I see nothing in Scripture that prohibits our viewing the abilities God... read more

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