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Thursday, May 8th, 2025
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Easy-to-Read Version
1 Corinthians 14:12
That's why you who want spiritual gifts so much should prefer those gifts that help the church grow stronger.
Jump to:Bible Study Tools • Parallel Bible Verse • Bible Contextual Overview • Bible Cross-References • Gill's Bible Notes • Clarke's Bible Notes • Barnes' Bible Notes
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Concordances:
- Nave'sDictionaries:
- BridgewayParallel Translations
Christian Standard Bible®
So also you—since you are zealous for spiritual gifts, seek to excel in building up the church.
So also you—since you are zealous for spiritual gifts, seek to excel in building up the church.
King James Version (1611)
Euen so ye, forasmuch as yee are zealous of spirituall gifts, seeke that yee may excell to the edifying of the Church.
Euen so ye, forasmuch as yee are zealous of spirituall gifts, seeke that yee may excell to the edifying of the Church.
King James Version
Even so ye, forasmuch as ye are zealous of spiritual gifts, seek that ye may excel to the edifying of the church.
Even so ye, forasmuch as ye are zealous of spiritual gifts, seek that ye may excel to the edifying of the church.
English Standard Version
So with yourselves, since you are eager for manifestations of the Spirit, strive to excel in building up the church.
So with yourselves, since you are eager for manifestations of the Spirit, strive to excel in building up the church.
New American Standard Bible
So you too, since you are eager to possess spiritual gifts, strive to excel for the edification of the church.
So you too, since you are eager to possess spiritual gifts, strive to excel for the edification of the church.
New Century Version
It is the same with you. Since you want spiritual gifts very much, seek most of all to have the gifts that help the church grow stronger.
It is the same with you. Since you want spiritual gifts very much, seek most of all to have the gifts that help the church grow stronger.
Amplified Bible
So it is with you, since you are so very eager to have spiritual gifts and manifestations of the Spirit, strive to excel in ways that will build up the church [spiritually].
So it is with you, since you are so very eager to have spiritual gifts and manifestations of the Spirit, strive to excel in ways that will build up the church [spiritually].
New American Standard Bible (1995)
So also you, since you are zealous of spiritual gifts, seek to abound for the edification of the church.
So also you, since you are zealous of spiritual gifts, seek to abound for the edification of the church.
Legacy Standard Bible
So also you, since you are zealous for spiritual gifts, seek to abound for the edification of the church.
So also you, since you are zealous for spiritual gifts, seek to abound for the edification of the church.
Berean Standard Bible
It is the same with you. Since you are eager to have spiritual gifts, strive to excel in gifts that build up the church.
It is the same with you. Since you are eager to have spiritual gifts, strive to excel in gifts that build up the church.
Contemporary English Version
If you really want spiritual gifts, choose the ones that will be most helpful to the church.
If you really want spiritual gifts, choose the ones that will be most helpful to the church.
Complete Jewish Bible
Likewise with you: since you eagerly seek the things of the Spirit, seek especially what will help in edifying the congregation.
Likewise with you: since you eagerly seek the things of the Spirit, seek especially what will help in edifying the congregation.
Darby Translation
Thus *ye* also, since ye are desirous of spirits, seek that ye may abound for the edification of the assembly.
Thus *ye* also, since ye are desirous of spirits, seek that ye may abound for the edification of the assembly.
Geneva Bible (1587)
Euen so, forasmuch as ye couet spirituall giftes, seeke that ye may excell vnto the edifying of the Church.
Euen so, forasmuch as ye couet spirituall giftes, seeke that ye may excell vnto the edifying of the Church.
George Lamsa Translation
Likewise you, since you are zealous of spiritual gifts for the edification of the church, seek that you may excel in these gifts.
Likewise you, since you are zealous of spiritual gifts for the edification of the church, seek that you may excel in these gifts.
Good News Translation
Since you are eager to have the gifts of the Spirit, you must try above everything else to make greater use of those which help to build up the church.
Since you are eager to have the gifts of the Spirit, you must try above everything else to make greater use of those which help to build up the church.
Lexham English Bible
In this way also you, since you are zealous of spiritual gifts, seek for the edification of the church, in order that you may abound.
In this way also you, since you are zealous of spiritual gifts, seek for the edification of the church, in order that you may abound.
Literal Translation
So also you, since you are zealots of spiritual things, seek to build up the assembly that you may abound.
So also you, since you are zealots of spiritual things, seek to build up the assembly that you may abound.
American Standard Version
So also ye, since ye are zealous of spiritual gifts, seek that ye may abound unto the edifying of the church.
So also ye, since ye are zealous of spiritual gifts, seek that ye may abound unto the edifying of the church.
Bible in Basic English
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.
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.
Hebrew Names Version
So also you, since you are zealous for spiritual gifts, seek that you may abound to the building up of the assembly.
So also you, since you are zealous for spiritual gifts, seek that you may abound to the building up of the assembly.
International Standard Version
In the same way, since you're so desirous of spiritual gifts, you must keep on desiring them for the upbuilding of the church.
In the same way, since you're so desirous of spiritual gifts, you must keep on desiring them for the upbuilding of the church.
Etheridge Translation
So also you, while you are emulous of the gifts of the Spirit for the edification of the church, seek that you may excel.
So also you, while you are emulous of the gifts of the Spirit for the edification of the church, seek that you may excel.
Murdock Translation
So also ye, since ye are emulous of the gifts of the Spirit for the edification of the church, seek ye to excel.
So also ye, since ye are emulous of the gifts of the Spirit for the edification of the church, seek ye to excel.
Bishop's Bible (1568)
Euen so, forasmuch as ye couet spirituall [giftes] seke that ye may excell, vnto the edifiyng of the Churche.
Euen so, forasmuch as ye couet spirituall [giftes] seke that ye may excell, vnto the edifiyng of the Churche.
English Revised Version
So also ye, since ye are zealous of spiritual [gifts], seek that ye may abound unto the edifying of the church.
So also ye, since ye are zealous of spiritual [gifts], seek that ye may abound unto the edifying of 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.
So also you, since you are zealous for spiritual gifts, seek that you may abound to the building up of the assembly.
Wesley's New Testament (1755)
So ye also, seeing ye desire spiritual gifts, seek to abound in them, to the edifying of the church.
So ye also, seeing ye desire spiritual gifts, seek to abound in them, to the edifying of the church.
Weymouth's New Testament
Therefore, seeing that you are ambitious for spiritual gifts, seek to excel in them so as to benefit the Church.
Therefore, seeing that you are ambitious for spiritual gifts, seek to excel in them so as to benefit the Church.
Wycliffe Bible (1395)
So ye, for ye ben loueris of spiritis, seke ye that ye be plenteuouse to edificacioun of the chirche.
So ye, for ye ben loueris of spiritis, seke ye that ye be plenteuouse to edificacioun of the chirche.
Update Bible Version
So also you, since you are zealous of spiritual [gifts], seek that you may abound to the edifying of the church.
So also you, since you are zealous of spiritual [gifts], seek that you may abound to 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.
Even so ye, forasmuch as ye are zealous of spiritual [gifts], seek that ye may excel to the edifying of the church.
New English Translation
It is the same with you. Since you are eager for manifestations of the Spirit, seek to abound in order to strengthen the church.
It is the same with you. Since you are eager for manifestations of the Spirit, seek to abound in order to strengthen the church.
New King James Version
Even so you, since you are zealous for spiritual gifts, let it be for the edification of the church that you seek to excel.
Even so you, since you are zealous for spiritual gifts, let it be for the edification of the church that you seek to excel.
New Living Translation
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.
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.
New Life Bible
Since you want gifts from the Holy Spirit, ask for those that will build up the whole church.
Since you want gifts from the Holy Spirit, ask for those that will build up the whole church.
New Revised Standard
So with yourselves; since you are eager for spiritual gifts, strive to excel in them for building up the church.
So with yourselves; since you are eager for spiritual gifts, strive to excel in them for building up the church.
J.B. Rotherham Emphasized Bible
So, ye, also - since ye are, envious, of spirits, unto the upbuilding of the assembly, seek to be pre-eminent.
So, ye, also - since ye are, envious, of spirits, unto the upbuilding of the assembly, seek to be pre-eminent.
Douay-Rheims Bible
So you also, forasmuch as you are zealous of spirits, seek to abound unto the edifying of the church.
So you also, forasmuch as you are zealous of spirits, seek to abound unto the edifying of the church.
Revised Standard Version
So with yourselves; since you are eager for manifestations of the Spirit, strive to excel in building up the church.
So with yourselves; since you are eager for manifestations of the Spirit, strive to excel in building up the church.
Tyndale New Testament (1525)
Eve so ye (for as moche as ye covet spretuall giftes) seke that ye maye have plentye vnto ye edifyinge of the congregacion.
Eve so ye (for as moche as ye covet spretuall giftes) seke that ye maye have plentye vnto ye edifyinge of the congregacion.
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;
so also ye, since ye are earnestly desirous of spiritual gifts, for the building up of the assembly seek that ye may abound;
Miles Coverdale Bible (1535)
Eue so ye (for so moch as ye couet spirituall giftes (seke yt ye maye haue plentye to the edifienge of the congregacion.
Eue so ye (for so moch as ye couet spirituall giftes (seke yt ye maye haue plentye to the edifienge of the congregacion.
Mace New Testament (1729)
But since there is emulation among you concerning spiritual gifts, seek to abound in the exercise of such gifts as tend most to the edification of the church.
But since there is emulation among you concerning spiritual gifts, seek to abound in the exercise of such gifts as tend most to the edification of the church.
Simplified Cowboy Version
vice versa. If you're wanting a special ability, ask for those who strengthen the whole church, not just one cowboy.
vice versa. If you're wanting a special ability, ask for those who strengthen the whole church, not just one cowboy.
Contextual Overview
6 Brothers and sisters, will it help you if I come to you speaking in different languages? No, it will help you only if I bring you a new truth or some knowledge, prophecy, or teaching. 7 This is true even with lifeless things that make sounds—like a flute or a harp. If the different musical notes are not made clear, you can't understand what song is being played. Each note must be played clearly for you to be able to understand the tune. 8 And in a war, if the trumpet does not sound clearly, the soldiers will not know it is time to prepare for fighting. 9 It is the same with you. If you don't speak clearly in a language people know, they cannot understand what you are saying. You will be talking to the air! 10 It is true that there are many different languages in the world, and they all have meaning. 11 But if I don't understand the meaning of what someone is saying, it will just be strange sounds to me, and I will sound just as strange to them. 12 That's why you who want spiritual gifts so much should prefer those gifts that help the church grow stronger. 13 So those who have the gift of speaking in a different language should pray that they can also interpret what they say. 14 If I pray in a different language, my spirit is praying, but my mind does nothing.
Bible Verse Review
from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge
forasmuch: 1 Corinthians 14:1, 1 Corinthians 12:7, 1 Corinthians 12:31, Titus 2:14
spiritual gifts: Gr. spirits, 1 Corinthians 14:32
seek: 1 Corinthians 14:3, 1 Corinthians 14:4, 1 Corinthians 14:26
Reciprocal: Proverbs 18:2 - but Acts 9:31 - were edified Romans 14:19 - and 1 Corinthians 10:23 - edify 1 Corinthians 14:5 - except 2 Corinthians 8:7 - as Ephesians 4:12 - the edifying 1 Thessalonians 5:11 - and edify
Cross-References
Genesis 11:27
This is the history of Terah's family. Terah was the father of Abram, Nahor, and Haran. Haran was the father of Lot.
This is the history of Terah's family. Terah was the father of Abram, Nahor, and Haran. Haran was the father of Lot.
Genesis 12:5
He took his wife Sarai, his nephew Lot, all the slaves, and all the other things he had gotten in Haran. Then he and his group moved to the land of Canaan.
He took his wife Sarai, his nephew Lot, all the slaves, and all the other things he had gotten in Haran. Then he and his group moved to the land of Canaan.
Genesis 14:9
They fought against King Kedorlaomer of Elam, King Tidal of Goiim, King Amraphel of Babylonia, and King Arioch of Ellasar. So there were four kings fighting against five.
They fought against King Kedorlaomer of Elam, King Tidal of Goiim, King Amraphel of Babylonia, and King Arioch of Ellasar. So there were four kings fighting against five.
Genesis 14:11
So Kedorlaomer and his armies took everything that the people of Sodom and Gomorrah owned. They took all their food and clothing and left.
So Kedorlaomer and his armies took everything that the people of Sodom and Gomorrah owned. They took all their food and clothing and left.
Genesis 14:12
Lot, the son of Abram's brother, was living in Sodom, and they captured him. They also took everything he owned and left.
Lot, the son of Abram's brother, was living in Sodom, and they captured him. They also took everything he owned and left.
Genesis 14:13
One of the men who had escaped went to Abram the Hebrew and told him what happened. Abram was camped near the trees of Mamre the Amorite. Mamre, Eshcol, and Aner had made an agreement to help each other, and they had also signed an agreement to help Abram.
One of the men who had escaped went to Abram the Hebrew and told him what happened. Abram was camped near the trees of Mamre the Amorite. Mamre, Eshcol, and Aner had made an agreement to help each other, and they had also signed an agreement to help Abram.
Genesis 14:17
Then Abram went home after he defeated Kedorlaomer and the kings with him. On his way home, the king of Sodom went out to meet him in the Valley of Shaveh. (This is now called King's Valley.)
Then Abram went home after he defeated Kedorlaomer and the kings with him. On his way home, the king of Sodom went out to meet him in the Valley of Shaveh. (This is now called King's Valley.)
Genesis 14:19
He blessed Abram and said, "Abram, may you be blessed by God Most High, the one who made heaven and earth.
He blessed Abram and said, "Abram, may you be blessed by God Most High, the one who made heaven and earth.
Numbers 16:26
Moses warned the people, "Move away from the tents of these evil men. Don't touch anything that belongs to them! If you do, you will be destroyed because of their sins."
Moses warned the people, "Move away from the tents of these evil men. Don't touch anything that belongs to them! If you do, you will be destroyed because of their sins."
Job 9:23
Is it God who laughs when a disaster kills innocent people?
Is it God who laughs when a disaster kills innocent people?
Gill's Notes on the 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.
Barnes' Notes on the Bible
Even so ye - Since you desire spiritual gifts, I may urge it upon you to seek to he able to speak in a clear and intelligible manner, that you may edify the church. This is one of the most valuable endowments of the Spirit; and this should be earnestly desired.
Forasmuch as ye are zealous - Since you earnestly desire; See the note at 1 Corinthians 12:31.
Spiritual gifts - The endowments conferred by the Holy Spirit; See the note at 1 Corinthians 12:1.
Seek that ye may excel ... - Seek that you may be able to convey truth in a clear and plain manner; seek to be distinguished for that. It is one of the most rare and valuable endowments of the Holy Spirit.
Clarke's Notes on the Bible
Verse 1 Corinthians 14:12. For as much as ye are zealous — Seeing ye affect so much to have spiritual gifts, seek that ye may get those by which ye may excel in edifying the Church.
