31 But covet earnestly the best gifts: and yet shew I unto you a more excellent way.
31 Now eagerly desire the greater gifts. And yet I will show you the most excellent way.
31 But earnestly desire the higher gifts. And I will show you a still more excellent way.
31 And yet some of you keep competing for so-called "important" parts. But now I want to lay out a far better way for you.
31 But earnestly desire the best gifts. And yet I show you a more excellent way.
31 So you should earnestly desire the most helpful gifts. But now let me show you a way of life that is best of all.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on 1 Corinthians 12:31
Commentary on 1 Corinthians 12:27-31
(Read 1 Corinthians 12:27-31)
Contempt, hatred, envy, and strife, are very unnatural in Christians. It is like the members of the same body being without concern for one another, or quarrelling with each other. The proud, contentious spirit that prevailed, as to spiritual gifts, was thus condemned. The offices and gifts, or favours, dispensed by the Holy Spirit, are noticed. Chief ministers; persons enabled to interpret Scripture; those who laboured in word and doctrine; those who had power to heal diseases; such as helped the sick and weak; such as disposed of the money given in charity by the church, and managed the affairs of the church; and such as could speak divers languages. What holds the last and lowest rank in this list, is the power to speak languages; how vain, if a man does so merely to amuse or to exalt himself! See the distribution of these gifts, not to every one alike, verses 29,30. This were to make the church all one, as if the body were all ear, or all eye. The Spirit distributes to every one as he will. We must be content though we are lower and less than others. We must not despise others, if we have greater gifts. How blessed the Christian church, if all the members did their duty! Instead of coveting the highest stations, or the most splendid gifts, let us leave the appointment of his instruments to God, and those in whom he works by his providence. Remember, those will not be approved hereafter who seek the chief places, but those who are most faithful to the trust placed in them, and most diligent in their Master's work.