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1 Corinthians 12:31

But covet earnestly the best gifts: and yet shew I unto you a more excellent way.

KJV

ζηλοῦτε δὲ τὰ χαρίσματα τὰ μείζονα. καὶ ἔτι καθ’ ὑπερβολὴν ὁδὸν ὑμῖν δείκνυμι.

Greek NT

Æmulamini autem charismata meliora. Et adhuc excellentiorem viam vobis demonstro.

Vulgate

But desire earnestly the greater gifts. And moreover a most excellent way show I unto you.

ASV

But be zealous for the better gifts. And I shew unto you yet a more excellent way.

Douay-Rheims

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In the original Greek

12 distinct Greek words appear in this verse.

δέ
de
conjunction · 2781×
δεικνύω
deiknuo
verb · 32×
ζηλόω
zeloo
verb · 12×
καί
kai
conjunction · 8973×
κατά
kata
preposition · 470×
μέγας
megas
adjective · 244×
χάρισμα
charisma
noun · 17×
ἔτι
eti
adverb · 94×
o
article · 19778×
ὁδός
odos
noun · 101×
ὑμεῖς
umeis
pronoun · 1828×
ὑπερβολή
uperbole
noun · 8×

Textual variants

1 variant unit attested by manuscript witnesses and modern critical editions.

minor
SBLGNT: μείζονα | WH/Treg/NIV: μείζονα | RP: κρείττονα
  • μείζοναSBLGNT
  • μείζοναWestcott-Hort, Tregelles, Reader's GNT (NA27)
  • κρείττοναRobinson-Pierpont
source: sblgnt-apparatus

Historic Christian voices

12 passages from patristic writers, Reformers, and church catechisms citing this verse.

Homilies on Matthew · 2 passages
2. And as they went out, it is said, behold, they brought unto Him a dumb man possessed with a devil. For the affliction was not natural, but the device of the evil spirit; wherefore also he needs others to bring him. For he could neither make entreaty himself, being speechless, nor supplicate others, when the evil spirit had bound his tongue, and together with his tongue had f…
2. Another parable put He forth unto them, saying, The Kingdom of Heaven is like to a grain of mustard seed. That is, since He had said, that of the crop three parts are lost, and but one saved, and in the very part again which is saved so great damage ensues; lest they should say, And who, and how many will be the faithful? this fear again He removes, by the parable of the mus…
Source. Translated by J. Walker, J. Sheppard and H. Browne, and revised by George B. Stevens. From Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, First Series, Vol. 11. Edited by Philip Schaff. (Buffalo, NY: Christian Literature Publishing Co., 1889.) Revised and edited for New Advent by Kevin Knight. <https://www.newadvent.org/fathers/210221.htm>. Contact information. The editor of New Adven…
1. Everywhere indeed a reverential mind is requisite, but especially when we say or hear anything of God: Since neither can tongue speak nor thought hear anything suitable to our God. And why speak I of tongue or thought? For not even the understanding which far excels these, will be able to comprehend anything accurately, when we desire to utter anything concerning God. For if…
1. Our Lord Jesus Christ calls His coming in the flesh an exodus [or going out]: as when He says, The sower went out to sow. Matthew 13:3 And again, I went out from the Father, and have come. John 16:28 And in many places one may see this. But Paul calls it an [eisodus or] coming in, saying, And when again He brings in the First-Begotten into the world, meaning by this Bringing…
1. The Power of Harmony in Relation to Prayer. Again I say unto you that if two of you shall agree on earth as touching anything that they shall ask, it shall be done for them. Matthew 18:19 The word symphony is strictly applied to the harmonies of sounds in music. And there are indeed among musical sounds some accordant and others discordant. But the Evangelic Scripture is fam…
Summa Theologica · 2 passages
Is grace fittingly divided into gratuitous grace and sanctifying grace? The division into operating and cooperating grace The division of it into prevenient and subsequent grace The division of gratuitous grace The comparison between sanctifying and gratuitous grace Article 1. Whether grace is fittingly divided into sanctifying grace and gratuitous grace? Objection 1. It would …
Is charity in the will as its subject? Is charity caused in man by preceding acts or by a Divine infusion? Is it infused according to the capacity of our natural gifts? Does it increase in the person who has it? Does it increase by addition? Does it increase by every act? Does it increase indefinitely? Can the charity of a wayfarer be perfect? The various degrees of charity Can…
All believers are entitled to and should ardently expect and earnestly seek the promise of the Father, the baptism in the Holy Ghost and fire, according to the command of our Lord Jesus Christ. This was the normal experience of all in the early Christian church. With it comes the enduement of power for life and service, the bestowment of the gifts and their uses in the work of …

Cross-references

  • 1Cor 8:1 — Now as touching things offered unto idols, we know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffeth up, but charity edifieth.
  • 1Cor 13:1 — 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.
  • 1Cor 14:1 — Follow after charity, and desire spiritual gifts, but rather that ye may prophesy.
  • 1Cor 14:12 — Even so ye, forasmuch as ye are zealous of spiritual gifts, seek that ye may excel to the edifying of the church.
  • 1Cor 14:39 — Wherefore, brethren, covet to prophesy, and forbid not to speak with tongues.
  • 1Cor 14:39 — Wherefore, brethren, covet to prophesy, and forbid not to speak with tongues.
  • 1Cor 16:14 — Let all your things be done with charity.
  • 2Kgs 2:9 — And it came to pass, when they were gone over, that Elijah said unto Elisha, Ask what I shall do for thee, before I be taken away from thee. And Elisha said, I pray thee, let a double portion of thy s
  • Matt 5:6 — Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.
  • Phil 3:8 — Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win