1 Corinthians 14:1
1 Corinthians 14:1 in Multiple Translations
Earnestly pursue love and eagerly desire spiritual gifts, especially the gift of prophecy.
Follow after charity, and desire spiritual gifts, but rather that ye may prophesy.
Follow after love; yet desire earnestly spiritual gifts, but rather that ye may prophesy.
Go after love; still desiring to have the things which the Spirit gives, but most of all that you may have the prophet's power.
Make love your most important objective! But also do your best to gain spiritual gifts, especially the ability to speak God's message.
Followe after loue, and couet spirituall giftes, and rather that ye may prophecie.
Pursue the love, and seek earnestly the spiritual things, and rather that ye may prophecy,
Follow after love and earnestly desire spiritual gifts, but especially that you may prophesy.
Follow after charity, and desire spiritual gifts , but rather that ye may prophesy.
Follow after charity, be zealous for spiritual gifts; but rather that you may prophesy.
You must want to love others more than you want anything else. But you should also eagerly desire the abilities that God’s Spirit gives to believers. And you should desire most of all to have the ability to speak messages that come directly from God [MTY].
So always love other people. That is most important. And ask God’s spirit to give you special powers too. Ask him for the power to tell special messages from God. That is more important than the power to talk in a special language.
Berean Amplified Bible — 1 Corinthians 14:1
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1 Corinthians 14:1 Interlinear (Deep Study)
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Greek Word Reference — 1 Corinthians 14:1
Study Notes — 1 Corinthians 14:1
- Context
- Cross References
- 1 Corinthians 14:1 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on 1 Corinthians 14:1
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on 1 Corinthians 14:1
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on 1 Corinthians 14:1
- Trapp's Commentary on 1 Corinthians 14:1
- Ellicott's Commentary on 1 Corinthians 14:1
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on 1 Corinthians 14:1
- Cambridge Bible on 1 Corinthians 14:1
- Barnes' Notes on 1 Corinthians 14:1
- Whedon's Commentary on 1 Corinthians 14:1
- Sermons on 1 Corinthians 14:1
Context — Prophecy and Tongues
1Earnestly pursue love and eagerly desire spiritual gifts, especially the gift of prophecy.
2For he who speaks in a tongue does not speak to men, but to God. Indeed, no one understands him; he utters mysteries in the Spirit. 3But he who prophesies speaks to men for their edification, encouragement, and comfort.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 Corinthians 14:39 | So, my brothers, be eager to prophesy, and do not forbid speaking in tongues. |
| 2 | 1 Timothy 4:14 | Do not neglect the gift that is in you, which was given you through the prophecy spoken over you at the laying on of the hands of the elders. |
| 3 | 1 Corinthians 12:1 | Now about spiritual gifts, brothers, I do not want you to be uninformed. |
| 4 | 1 Corinthians 16:14 | Do everything in love. |
| 5 | Hebrews 12:14 | Pursue peace with everyone, as well as holiness, without which no one will see the Lord. |
| 6 | 1 Thessalonians 5:20 | Do not treat prophecies with contempt, |
| 7 | 1 Corinthians 14:3–5 | But he who prophesies speaks to men for their edification, encouragement, and comfort. The one who speaks in a tongue edifies himself, but the one who prophesies edifies the church. I wish that all of you could speak in tongues, but I would rather have you prophesy. He who prophesies is greater than one who speaks in tongues, unless he interprets so that the church may be edified. |
| 8 | 1 Corinthians 13:13 | And now these three remain: faith, hope, and love; but the greatest of these is love. |
| 9 | Proverbs 15:9 | The LORD detests the way of the wicked, but He loves those who pursue righteousness. |
| 10 | 1 Corinthians 14:24–25 | But if an unbeliever or uninstructed person comes in while everyone is prophesying, he will be convicted and called to account by all, and the secrets of his heart will be made known. So he will fall facedown and worship God, proclaiming, “God is truly among you!” |
1 Corinthians 14:1 Summary
[This verse is telling us to make love the most important thing in our lives and to really want the spiritual gifts that God gives, especially the gift of prophecy. This is because love is the greatest gift, as we see in 1 Corinthians 13:1-3, and spiritual gifts like prophecy help build up and encourage the church, as mentioned in Ephesians 4:11-12. By prioritizing love and desiring spiritual gifts, we can serve and edify others, as taught in 1 Peter 4:10-11. As we pursue love and spiritual gifts, we should remember that everything we do should be done in a spirit of love, as seen in 1 Corinthians 16:14.]
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean to earnestly pursue love in 1 Corinthians 14:1?
To earnestly pursue love means to make love a top priority in our lives, just as Jesus taught in Matthew 22:37-40, and to seek to demonstrate that love to others, as seen in 1 John 4:7-8.
Why is the gift of prophecy emphasized in this verse?
The gift of prophecy is emphasized because, as seen in 1 Corinthians 14:3, it is a gift that speaks to men for their edification, encouragement, and comfort, helping to build up the body of Christ, as also mentioned in Ephesians 4:11-12.
Can anyone eagerly desire spiritual gifts, or is this just for certain believers?
According to 1 Corinthians 12:31 and 1 Corinthians 14:1, all believers are encouraged to eagerly desire spiritual gifts, especially the gift of prophecy, as these gifts are given for the common good, as stated in 1 Corinthians 12:7.
How do we balance the pursuit of love and the desire for spiritual gifts?
We balance the pursuit of love and the desire for spiritual gifts by remembering that love is the greatest gift, as taught in 1 Corinthians 13:1-3, and that spiritual gifts are to be used in a spirit of love to edify and serve others, as seen in 1 Peter 4:10-11.
Reflection Questions
- What are some ways I can demonstrate love to those around me, and how can I make love a priority in my life?
- How can I determine if a spiritual gift, such as prophecy, is truly from God and not just my own thoughts or desires?
- What are some ways I can use my spiritual gifts to serve and edify others, and how can I make sure I am doing so in a spirit of love?
- How can I cultivate a deeper desire for spiritual gifts, especially the gift of prophecy, in my own life and in the life of my church?
Gill's Exposition on 1 Corinthians 14:1
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on 1 Corinthians 14:1
Matthew Poole's Commentary on 1 Corinthians 14:1
Trapp's Commentary on 1 Corinthians 14:1
Ellicott's Commentary on 1 Corinthians 14:1
Adam Clarke's Commentary on 1 Corinthians 14:1
Cambridge Bible on 1 Corinthians 14:1
Barnes' Notes on 1 Corinthians 14:1
Whedon's Commentary on 1 Corinthians 14:1
Sermons on 1 Corinthians 14:1
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
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(1 Corinthians) ch.14:1-15:19 by Zac Poonen | In this sermon, the speaker focuses on 1 Corinthians 14:1, which encourages Christians to pursue love and earnestly desire spiritual gifts. The aim in life should be to have the ty |
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How to Be Filled by L.E. Maxwell | In this sermon, the speaker discusses the topic of the Holy Spirit and the temple. He emphasizes the importance of understanding the Holy Spirit as the third member of the Trinity |
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Preaching - a Sacred Responsibility - Part 1 by Art Katz | In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of the condition of the hearers in receiving the word of God. He criticizes the indifference and lack of reverence in the cong |
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Praying in Tongues by Jim Cymbala | This sermon delves into the topic of speaking in tongues and the gifts of the Holy Spirit. It emphasizes the importance of desiring spiritual gifts, especially the gift of prophecy |
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Ger-18 the Kingdom of God by Art Katz | In this sermon, the speaker begins by expressing gratitude for the warm reception he always receives from the audience. He acknowledges that he may have already shared everything h |
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(1 Corinthians) Overview to Chapter 14 by Brian Brodersen | In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of studying and applying 1 Corinthians 14, particularly for Pentecostal and Charismatic churches. The chapter provides practic |
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In Understanding Be Men by Paris Reidhead | In this sermon on 1 Corinthians 14, the speaker emphasizes the importance of approaching the world with a childlike mindset. He highlights the tendency to touch, taste, handle, and |






