1 Corinthians 14:12

So also you, since you are zealous for spiritual gifts, seek that you may abound to the building up of the assembly.

World English Bible
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Other translations

WEBBE

So also you, since you are zealous for spiritual gifts, seek that you may abound to the building up of the assembly.

BSB

It is the same with you. Since you are eager to have spiritual gifts, strive to excel in gifts that build up the church.

KJV

Even so ye, forasmuch as ye are zealous of spiritual gifts, seek that ye may excel to the edifying of the church.

ASV

So also ye, since ye are zealous of spiritual [gifts], seek that ye may abound unto the edifying of the church.

BBE

So if you are desiring the things which the Spirit gives, let your minds be turned first to the things which are for the good of the church.

Original Greek

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οὕτως houtōs So G3779 καὶ kai also G2532 ὑμεῖς humeis you yourselves G4771 ἐπεὶ epei since G1893 ζηλωταί zēlōtai zealous G2207 ἐστε este you are G1510 πνευμάτων pneumatōn of spiritual gifts G4151 πρὸς pros for G4314 τὴν tēn the G3588 οἰκοδομὴν oikodomēn edification G3619 τῆς tēs of the G3588 ἐκκλησίας ekklēsias church G1577 ζητεῖτε zēteite do seek G2212 ἵνα ina that G2443 περισσεύητε.¶ perisseuēte you may exceed G4052

The early church

"What then must be done?" saith he. Why, so far from disparaging, one ought to recommend and to teach it; as indeed himself also doth. Since after he had accused and rebuked it and shown its unprofitableness, he proceeds to counsel them; saying, "So also ye, since as ye are zealous of spiritual gifts, seek that ye may abound unto the edifying of the Church." Seest thou his aim every where, how he looks to one thing continually and in all cases, the general utility, the profiting the Church; laying this down as a kind of rule? And he did not say, "that ye may obtain the gifts" but, "that ye may abound," i.e., that ye may even possess them in great plenitude. Thus, so far am I from wishing you not to possess them, that I even wish you to abound in them, only so that ye handle them with a view to the common advantage. And how is this to be done? ...
John Chrysostom · d. 407Homilies on 1 Corinthians

Commentary

Matthew Henry · Verses 6–14

Even an apostle could not edify, unless he spoke so as to be understood by his hearers. To speak words that have no meaning to those who hear them, is but speaking into the air. That cannot answer the end of speaking, which has no meaning; in this case, speaker and hearers are barbarians to each other. All religious services should be so performed in Christian assemblies, that all may join in, and profit by them. Language plain and easy to be understood, is the most proper for public worship, and other religious exercises. Every true follower of Christ will rather desire to do good to others, than to get a name for learning or fine speaking.

Read Matthew Henry on 1 Corinthians 14 →

Cross-references

6

Topics

Zeal, ReligiousMiracles

Cross-references: Treasury of Scripture Knowledge. Hebrew and Greek data from STEPBible.org (Tyndale House, Cambridge), CC BY 4.0. Library: sources.