Teks -- 1 Corinthians 12:31 (NET)

12:31 But you should be eager for the greater gifts. And now I will show you a way that is beyond comparison.

Tafsiran/Catatan -- Catatan Kata/Frasa (per frasa)

Robertson: 1Co 12:31 - The greater gifts

The greater gifts ( ta charismata ta meizona ).

Paul unhesitatingly ranks some spiritual gifts above others. Zēloō here has good sense, not that of envy as in Act 7:9; 1Co 13:4.

Robertson: 1Co 12:31 - And a still more excellent way

And a still more excellent way ( kai eti kath' huperbolēn hodon ).

In order to gain the greater gifts. "I show you a way par excellence ,"beyond all comparison (superlative idea in this adjunct, not comparative), like kath' huperbolēn eis huperbolēn (2Co 4:17). Huperbolē is old word from huperballō , to throw beyond, to surpass, to excel (2Co 3:10; Eph 1:19). "I show you a supremely excellent way."Chapter 1Co 13:1-13 is this way, the way of love already laid down in 1Co 8:1 concerning the question of meats offered to idols (cf. 1Jo 4:7). Poor division of chapters here. This verse belongs with chapter 1Co 13:1-13.

Vincent: 1Co 12:31 - The best

The best ( τὰ κρείττονα )

The correct reading is τὰ μείζονα the greater . So Rev.

Vincent: 1Co 12:31 - Yet

Yet ( ἔτι )

Some construe with more excellent , rendering yet more excellent . So Rev. Others render moreover , and give the succeeding words a superlative force: " and moreover a most excellent way ," etc. See on with excellency , 1Co 2:1.

Vincent: 1Co 12:31 - Way

Way

To attain the higher gifts. The way of love as described in 1Co 13:1-13. " Love is the fairest and best in himself, and the cause of what is fairest and best in all other things" (Plato, " Symposium," 197).

Wesley: 1Co 12:31 - Ye covet earnestly the best gifts

And they are worth your pursuit, though but few of you can attain them. But there is a far more excellent gift than all these; and one which all may, yea, must attain or perish.

JFB: 1Co 12:31 - covet earnestly

Greek, "emulously desire." Not in the spirit of discontented "coveting." The Spirit "divides to every man severally as He will" (1Co 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 (1Co 14:1) between "follow after charity--zealously esteem spiritual gifts"; also with (1Co 12:11, 1Co 12:18) the sovereign will with which the Spirit distributes the gifts, precluding individuals from desiring gifts not vouchsafed to them. But see on 1Co 14:1.

JFB: 1Co 12:31 - the best gifts

Most of the oldest manuscripts read, "the greatest gifts."

JFB: 1Co 12:31 - and yet

Greek, "and moreover." Besides recommending your zealous desire for the greatest gifts, I am about to show you a something still more excellent (literally, "a way most way-like") to desire, "the way of love" (compare 1Co 14:1). This love, or "charity," includes both "faith" and "hope" (1Co 13:7), and bears the same fruits (1Co 13:1-13) as the ordinary and permanent fruits of the Spirit (Gal 5:22-24). Thus "long-suffering," compare 1Co 12:4; "faith," 1Co 12:7; "joy," 1Co 12:6; "meekness," 1Co 12:5; "goodness," 1Co 12:5; "gentleness," 1Co 12:4 (the Greek is the same for "is kind"). It is the work of the Holy Spirit, and consists in love to God, on account of God's love in Christ to us, and as a consequence, love to man, especially to the brethren in Christ (Rom 5:5; Rom 15:30). This is more to be desired than gifts (Luk 10:20).

Clarke: 1Co 12:31 - But covet earnestly

But covet earnestly - To covet signifies to desire earnestly. This disposition towards heavenly things is highly laudable; towards earthly things, is deeply criminal. A man may possess the best of all these gifts, and yet be deficient in what is essentially necessary to his salvation, for he may be without that love or charity which the apostle here calls the more excellent way, and which he proceeds in the next chapter to describe

Some think that this verse should be read affirmatively, Ye earnestly contend about the best gifts; but I show unto you a more excellent way; i.e. get your hearts filled with love to God and man - love, which is the principle of obedience, which works no ill to its neighbor, and which is the fulfilling of the law. This is a likely reading, for there were certainly more contentions in the Church of Corinth about the gifts than about the graces of the Spirit

1.    After all that has been said on the different offices mentioned by the apostle in the preceding chapter, there are some of them which perhaps are not understood. I confess I scarcely know what to make of those which we translate helps and governments. Bishop Pearce, who could neither see Church government nor state government in these words, expresses himself thus: "These two words, after all that the commentators say about them, I do not understand; and in no other part of the New Testament is either of them, in any sense, mentioned as the gift of the Spirit; especially it is observable that in 1Co 12:29, 1Co 12:30, where the gifts of the Spirit are again enumerated, no notice is taken of any thing like them, while all the other several parts are exactly enumerated. Perhaps these words were put in the margin to explain δυναμεις, miracles or powers; some taking the meaning to be helps, assistances, as in 2Co 12:9; others to be κυβερνησεις, governments, as in Rom 8:38; and from being marginal explanations, they might have been at last incorporated with the text."It must, however, be acknowledged that the omission of these words is not countenanced by any MS. or version. One thing we may fully know, that there are some men who are peculiarly qualified for governing by either providence or grace; and that there are others who can neither govern nor direct, but are good helpers. These characters I have often seen in different places in the Church of God

2.    In three several places in this chapter the apostle sums up the gifts of the Spirit. Dr. Lightfoot thinks they answer to each other in the following order, which the reader will take on his authority

Verses 8, 9, and 1

1Co 12:8.

Is give

The word of Wisdom

The word of Knowledge

1Co 12:9.

Faith

Gifts of Healing

1Co 12:10.

Working of Miracles

Prophecy

Discerning of Spirits

Divers kinds of Tongues

Interpretation of Tongues.

Verse 2

1Co 12:28

God hath set som

First, Apostles

Secondly, Prophets

Thirdly, Teachers

After that, Miracles

The Gifts of Healings

Helps

Governments

Divers kinds of Tongues.

Verses 29, and 3

1Co 12:29.

Are all Apostles

Prophets

Teachers

Miracles

1Co 12:30.

Gifts of Healing

Speak with Tongues

Interpret

    If the reader think that this is the best way of explaining these different gifts and offices, he will adopt it; and he will in that case consider

1.    That the word or doctrine of wisdom comes from the apostles

2.    The doctrine of knowledge, from the prophets

3.    Faith, by means of the teachers

4.    That working of miracles includes the gifts of healing

5.    That to prophecy, signifying preaching, which it frequently does, helps is a parallel

6.    That discernment of spirits is the same with governments, which Dr. Lightfoot supposes to imply a deeply comprehensive, wise, and prudent mind

7.    As to the gift of tongues, there is no variation in either of the three places

3.    It is strange that in this enumeration only three distinct officers in the Church should be mentioned; viz. apostles, prophets, and teachers. We do not know that miracles, gifts of healing, helps, governments, and diversity of tongues, were exclusive offices; for it is probable that apostles, prophets, and teachers wrought miracles occasionally, and spoke with divers tongues. However, in all this enumeration, where the apostle gives us all the officers and gifts necessary for the constitution of a Church, we find not one word of bishops, presbyters, or deacons; much less of the various officers and offices which the Christian Church at present exhibits. Perhaps the bishops are included under the apostles, the presbyters under the prophets, and the deacons under the teachers. As to the other ecclesiastical officers with which the Romish Church teems, they may seek them who are determined to find them, any where out of the New Testament

4.    Mr. Quesnel observes on these passages that there are three sorts of gifts necessary to the forming Christ’ s mystical body

1.    Gifts of power, for the working of miracles, in reference to the Father

2.    Gifts of labor and ministry, for the exercise of government and other offices, with respect to the Son

3.    Gifts of knowledge, for the instruction of the people, with relation to the Holy Ghost

The Father is the principle and end of all created power; let us then ultimately refer all things to him

The Son is the Institutor and Head of all the hierarchical ministries; let us depend upon him

The Holy Ghost is the fountain and fullness of all spiritual graces; let us desire and use them only in and by him

There is nothing good, nothing profitable to salvation, unless it be done in the power of God communicated by Christ Jesus, and in that holiness of heart which is produced by his Spirit. Pastors are only the instruments of God, the depositaries of the authority of Christ, and the channels by whom the love and graces of the Spirit are conveyed. Let these act as receiving all from God by Christ, through the Holy Ghost; and let the Church receive them as the ambassadors of the Almighty.

Calvin: 1Co 12:31 - Seek after the more excellent gifts

31.Seek after the more excellent gifts It might also be rendered — Value highly; and it would not suit in with the passage, though it makes little difference as to the meaning; for Paul exhorts the Corinthians to esteem and desire those gifts especially, which are most conducive to edification. For this fault prevailed among them — that they aimed at show, rather than usefulness. Hence prophecy was neglected, while languages sounded forth among them, with great show, indeed, but with little profit. He does not, however, address individuals, as though he wished that every one should aspire at prophecy, or the office of teacher; but simply recommends to them a desire to promote edification, that they may apply themselves the more diligently to those things that are most conducive to edification.

TSK: 1Co 12:31 - covet // show

covet : 1Co 8:1, 1Co 14:1, 1Co 14:39; Mat 5:6; Luk 10:42

show : 1Co 13:1-13; Phi 3:8; Heb 11:4

Tafsiran/Catatan -- Catatan Kata/Frasa (per Ayat)

Poole: 1Co 12:31 - But covet earnestly the best gifts // And yet show I unto you a more excellent way

But covet earnestly the best gifts: the word may be translated indicatively: Ye do covet the best gifts; or as we translate it, imperatively: Covet ye; I would have you be covetous to excel in the best gifts, that is, those which will make you most useful and profitable to the church of God.

And yet show I unto you a more excellent way but yet (saith he) gifts are not the best things, the habits of saving grace are much more valuable than gifts; love to God and your neighbour ought to be by you preferred before gifts. To a discourse of which the apostle thus shortly passeth.

Haydock: 1Co 12:31 - Be zealous for the better gifts

Be zealous for the better gifts: which are to be more or less esteemed, as they are accompanied with charity, as he is going to shew in the next chapter. (Witham)

Gill: 1Co 12:31 - But covet earnestly the best gifts // and yet show I unto you a more excellent way

But covet earnestly the best gifts,.... Which may be rendered either indicatively as an assertion, "ye do covet earnestly the best gifts": of prophesying and teaching, of doing miracles, healing diseases, speaking with, and interpreting, different tongues and languages; but I can, and do show you something that is better, and more excellent than these: or, by way of interrogation, "do ye covet earnestly the best gifts?" do you zealously affect them, fervently desire them, and emulate one another in your endeavours after them? I have something to observe to you which exceeds them all, and which you would do well to follow after, and eagerly pursue; or imperatively, as an exhortation, as it is rendered by our translators: and by the best gifts may be meant, the best of these external gifts before mentioned; and not those of the highest class, and the more extraordinary, but which are the most useful and beneficial to the church, as preaching or prophesying was: the Corinthians seemed most covetous and desirous of speaking with different tongues; but the apostle shows, in 1Co 14:1, by divers reasons, that prophesying was preferable, being more serviceable and useful to the church, and so more eligible and to be desired by them, to which he may have regard here: or else by them are meant the internal graces of the Spirit, as faith, hope, and love, which are all of them gifts of God's grace; all useful and valuable, and better than all external extraordinary gifts whatever, which a man might have, and be nothing, be lost and damned; whereas he that believes in Christ, has a good hope through grace, and love in his soul to God, Christ, and his people, though he is destitute of the other gifts, shall certainly be saved; wherefore these are the gifts which men should be solicitous for and covet after, and be greatly concerned to know that they have them, and to be content without the other:

and yet show I unto you a more excellent way: if by the best gifts are designed the above graces of the Spirit, then by "the more excellent way", Christ must be meant, the author and object of these graces; who is the way to the covenant, and to a participation of all the blessings of it, as justification, pardon, adoption, and eternal life; the way into a Gospel church, and to all the ordinances of the Gospel dispensation, as baptism, and the Lord's supper; for faith in him is the prerequisite, and proper qualification for the enjoyment of each of these: Christ is the way of salvation, and the way to the Father, and to heaven and eternal happiness; and an excellent one he is, the more, yea, the most excellent; he is the only way to each of these; he is the new and living way, a plain and pleasant one; and so a safe and secure one, in which all that walk shall certainly be saved: now this way the apostle showed, declared, pointed out in the ministry of the word; it was his chief and principal business, the sum of his doctrine, to make known Christ, and him crucified, as the way, the truth, and the life; to direct souls to him, and to show them the way of salvation by him: but if by the best gifts are meant the more useful ones of those before mentioned, as prophesying, or preaching, then the more excellent way designs grace, special and internal grace; and that either grace in general, regenerating, sanctifying grace, including all sorts of grace; which is the way of a soul's passing from the death of sin to a life of faith and holiness; and is the way to eternal glory, and which gives a meetness for it, and is inseparably connected with it. This is a more excellent way than gifts; for gifts, be they ever so great, may be lost or taken away, through disuse or misimprovement; but grace always remains, can never be lost, nor will ever be taken away, but will issue in everlasting life: men may have the greatest gifts, and yet not be saved, as Judas and others; but he that has the least degree of faith in Christ, hope in him, and love to him, shall be saved by him with an everlasting salvation: or particularly the grace of charity, or love to the saints, may be intended by the more excellent way; which is the evidence of a man's passing from death and life; the new commandment of Christ, and the fulfilling of the law; without which, a man, though he has never such great gifts, he is nothing as a Christian, nor in the business of salvation; and is the greatest of all the graces of the Spirit; and is of such a nature, that when prophecies, tongues, knowledge, and all external gifts shall fail, and even the internal graces of faith and hope shall cease, the one being changed for vision, and the other swallowed up in enjoyment, this will continue; and the rather this grace may be thought to be meant, since the apostle immediately passes to treat it in the next chapter, and prefers it to all gifts, and even graces.