It is the same with you. Since you are eager to have spiritual gifts, strive to excel in gifts that build up the church.
Parallel translations
- WEB So also you, since you are zealous for spiritual gifts, seek that you may abound to the building up of the assembly.
- KJV Even so ye, forasmuch as ye are zealous of spiritual gifts, seek that ye may excel to the edifying of the church.
- NKJV Even so you, since you are zealous for spiritual gifts, let it be for the edification of the church that you seek to excel.
- NASB So you too, since you are eager to possess spiritual gifts, strive to excel for the edification of the church.
- NLT And the same is true for you. Since you are so eager to have the special abilities the Spirit gives, seek those that will strengthen the whole church.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
Since they are eager for spiritual gifts, they should seek to excel in building up the church. Zeal for gifts must be directed toward edification.
Overview
Paul does not quench their enthusiasm for gifts but redirects it toward the right goal. The measure of excellence is not the spectacular but the upbuilding of the church. This crystallizes the chapter's argument: love channels every gift toward the good of the whole body rather than personal display.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 6
- 1 Cor 14:26What then shall we say, brothers? When you come together, everyone has a psalm or a teaching, a revelation, a tongue, or an interpretation. All of these must be done to build up the church.
- 1 Cor 12:31But eagerly desire the greater gifts. And now I will show you the most excellent way.
- 1 Cor 14:3–4But he who prophesies speaks to men for their edification, encouragement, and comfort.
- 1 Cor 14:1Earnestly pursue love and eagerly desire spiritual gifts, especially the gift of prophecy.
- Titus 2:14He gave Himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for Himself a people for His own possession, zealous for good deeds.
- 1 Cor 12:7Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good.
Themes, concepts, people & topics
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Christ at the center
Christ crucified is the wisdom and power of God; he is our Passover sacrificed for us, the firstfruits of resurrection, the foundation on which everything is built.
How 1 Corinthians 14:12 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
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