1 Corinthians 14:1

1 Corinthians 14:1

Follow after charity, and desire spiritual gifts, but rather that ye may prophesy.

a. ASV: Follow after love; yet desire earnestly spiritual gifts, but rather that ye may prophesy.

b. YLT: Pursue the love, and seek earnestly the spiritual things, and rather that ye may prophecy,

c. Classic Amplified: Eagerly pursue and seek to acquire [this] love [make it your aim, your great quest]; and earnestly desire and cultivate the spiritual endowments (gifts), especially that you may prophesy ([a]interpret the divine will and purpose in inspired preaching and teaching).

1. “Follow after charity, and desire spiritual gifts…”

a. Follow [Strong: 1177 diṓkō, dee-o'-ko; a prolonged (and causative) form of a primary verb δίω díō (to flee; compare the base of G1169 and G1249); to pursue (literally or figuratively); by implication, to persecute:—ensue, follow (after), given to, (suffer) persecute(-ion), press forward.]

b. [Strongs: 3588 [ten] ho ho, including the feminine he hay, and the neuter to to in all their inflections; the definite article; the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in English idiom):--the, this, that, one, he, she, it, etc.] [Thayer: ὁ, ἡ, τό, originally τος, τῇ, τό (as is evident from the forms τοι, ται for οἱ, αἱ in Homer and the Ionic writings), corresponds to our definite article the (German der, die, das), which is properly a demonstrative pronoun, which we see in its full force in Homer, and of which we find certain indubitable traces also in all kinds of Greek prose, and hence also in the N. T.]

c. charity [Strong: 26 agápē, ag-ah'-pay; from G25; love, i.e. affection or benevolence; specially (plural) a love-feast:—(feast of) charity(-ably), dear, love.]

1). The emphasis on love is necessary in the Christian life but also in the exercise of the gifts of the Spirit. It is the Lord’s will that every believer profit, to be better, grow spiritually in Christ by the gifts. But if they are not exercised through love, there will be no profit.

a). 1 Corinthians 12:7 But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal.

b). 1 Corinthians 13:1-3 Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal.

13:2 And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing.

13:3 And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing.

d. and [Strong: 1161 dé, deh; a primary particle (adversative or continuative); but, and, etc.:—also, and, but, moreover, now (often unexpressed in English).]

e. desire [Strong: 2206 zēlóō, dzay-lo'-o; from G2205; to have warmth of feeling for or against:—affect, covet (earnestly), (have) desire, (move with) envy, be jealous over, (be) zealous(-ly affect).]

f. spiritual [gifts] [Strong: 4152 pneumatikós, pnyoo-mat-ik-os'; from G4151; non-carnal, i.e. (humanly) ethereal (as opposed to gross), or (dæmoniacally) a spirit (concretely), or (divinely) supernatural, regenerate, religious:—spiritual.]

1). We are to desire, to have experience in, and move through the spiritual gifts of the Spirit. We are to covet them earnestly.

a). 1 Corinthians 14:31 But covet earnestly the best gifts: and yet shew I unto you a more excellent way.

2. “...but rather that ye may prophesy.”

a. but [Strong: 1161 dé, deh; a primary particle (adversative or continuative); but, and, etc.:—also, and, but, moreover, now (often unexpressed in English).]

b. rather [Strong: 3123 mâllon, mal'-lon; neuter of the comparative of the same as G3122; (adverbially) more (in a greater degree)) or rather:—+ better, × far, (the) more (and more), (so) much (the more), rather.]

c. that [Strong: 2443 hína, hin'-ah; probably from the same as the former part of G1438 (through the demonstrative idea; compare G3588); in order that (denoting the purpose or the result):—albeit, because, to the intent (that), lest, so as, (so) that, (for) to.]

d. [ye may] prophesy [Strong: 4395 prophēteúō, prof-ate-yoo'-o; from G4396; to foretell events, divine, speak under inspiration, exercise the prophetic office:—prophesy.]