1 Corinthians 14:12
◄  1 Corinthians 14:12  ►
New International Version (©2011)
So it is with you. Since you are eager for gifts of the Spirit, try to excel in those that build up the church.

New Living Translation (©2007)
And the same is true for you. Since you are so eager to have the special abilities the Spirit gives, seek those that will strengthen the whole church.

English Standard Version (©2001)
So with yourselves, since you are eager for manifestations of the Spirit, strive to excel in building up the church.

New American Standard Bible (©1995)
So also you, since you are zealous of spiritual gifts, seek to abound for the edification of the church.

King James Bible (Cambridge Ed.)
Even so ye, forasmuch as ye are zealous of spiritual gifts, seek that ye may excel to the edifying of the church.

Holman Christian Standard Bible (©2009)
So also you--since you are zealous for spiritual gifts, seek to excel in building up the church.

International Standard Version (©2012)
In the same way, since you're so desirous of spiritual gifts, you must keep on desiring them for building up the church.

NET Bible (©2006)
It is the same with you. Since you are eager for manifestations of the Spirit, seek to abound in order to strengthen the church.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English (©2010)
So also you, because you are zealous of the gifts of The Spirit, seek to excel for the edification of the church.

GOD'S WORD® Translation (©1995)
In the same way, since you're eager to have spiritual gifts, try to excel in them so that you help the church grow.

King James 2000 Bible (©2003)
Even so you, since you are zealous of spiritual gifts, seek that you may excel to the edifying of the church.

American King James Version
Even so you, for as much as you are zealous of spiritual gifts, seek that you may excel to the edifying of the church.

American Standard Version
So also ye, since ye are zealous of spiritual gifts , seek that ye may abound unto the edifying of the church.

Douay-Rheims Bible
So you also, forasmuch as you are zealous of spirits, seek to abound unto the edifying of the church.

Darby Bible Translation
Thus ye also, since ye are desirous of spirits, seek that ye may abound for the edification of the assembly.

English Revised Version
So also ye, since ye are zealous of spiritual gifts, seek that ye may abound unto the edifying of the church.

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

Weymouth New Testament
Therefore, seeing that you are ambitious for spiritual gifts, seek to excel in them so as to benefit the Church.

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

Young's Literal Translation
so also ye, since ye are earnestly desirous of spiritual gifts, for the building up of the assembly seek that ye may abound;

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary

14:6-14 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.

Pulpit Commentary

Verse 12. - Even so ye. A general form of conclusion from the previous remarks. Of spiritual gifts; literally, since ye are zealots of spirits. That ye may excel to the edifying of the Church; rather, seek them to the edifying of the Church, that ye may abound. The same word is used in Matthew 5:20 ("exceed"); 1 Corinthians 8:8 ("are we the better").

Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible

Even so ye, forasmuch as ye are zealous of spiritual gifts,.... Gr. "of spirits"; that is, "of the gifts of the Spirit", as the Syriac version renders it; and we rightly, "spiritual gifts"; the extraordinary gifts of the Spirit, for which the apostle does not blame them; these being what he had before exhorted them to covet earnestly, and zealously affect and desire: but then he further advises,

seek that ye may excel, to the edifying of the church: above all, be desirous of such gifts, and of excelling in them, and abounding in the exercise of them, which may be most profitable and edifying to the members of the church; and what these were, and in what manner to be used, he had before signified: the Alexandrian copy reads, seek that ye may prophesy.

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

12. zealous—emulously desirous.

spiritual gifts—literally, "spirits"; that is, emanations from the one Spirit.

seek that ye may excel to—Translate, "Seek them, that ye may abound in them to the edifying," &c.

1 Corinthians 14:12 Parallel Commentaries

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Prophecy and Tongues
…11Therefore if I know not the meaning of the voice, I shall be to him that speaks a barbarian, and he that speaks shall be a barbarian to me. 12Even so you, for as much as you are zealous of spiritual gifts, seek that you may excel to the edifying of the church. 13Why let him that speaks in an unknown tongue pray that he may interpret. …

Romans 14:19 Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification.
1 Corinthians 14:3 But the one who prophesies speaks to people for their strengthening, encouraging and comfort.
1 Corinthians 14:4 Anyone who speaks in a tongue edifies themselves, but the one who prophesies edifies the church.
1 Corinthians 14:5 I would like every one of you to speak in tongues, but I would rather have you prophesy. The one who prophesies is greater than the one who speaks in tongues, unless someone interprets, so that the church may be edified.
1 Corinthians 14:13 For this reason the one who speaks in a tongue should pray that they may interpret what they say.