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THE MESSAGE
1 Corinthians 14:12
This verse is not available in the MSG!
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.
Easy-to-Read Version
That's why you who want spiritual gifts so much should prefer those gifts that help the church grow stronger.
That's why you who want spiritual gifts so much should prefer those gifts that help the church grow stronger.
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
6Think, friends: If I come to you and all I do is pray privately to God in a way only he can understand, what are you going to get out of that? If I don't address you plainly with some insight or truth or proclamation or teaching, what help am I to you? If musical instruments—flutes, say, or harps—aren't played so that each note is distinct and in tune, how will anyone be able to catch the melody and enjoy the music? If the trumpet call can't be distinguished, will anyone show up for the battle? 9So if you speak in a way no one can understand, what's the point of opening your mouth? There are many languages in the world and they all mean something to someone. But if I don't understand the language, it's not going to do me much good. It's no different with you. Since you're so eager to participate in what God is doing, why don't you concentrate on doing what helps everyone in the church? 13So, when you pray in your private prayer language, don't hoard the experience for yourself. Pray for the insight and ability to bring others into that intimacy. If I pray in tongues, my spirit prays but my mind lies fallow, and all that intelligence is wasted. So what's the solution? The answer is simple enough. Do both. I should be spiritually free and expressive as I pray, but I should also be thoughtful and mindful as I pray. I should sing with my spirit, and sing with my mind. If you give a blessing using your private prayer language, which no one else understands, how can some outsider who has just shown up and has no idea what's going on know when to say "Amen"? Your blessing might be beautiful, but you have very effectively cut that person out of it.
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 story of Terah. Terah had Abram, Nahor, and Haran. Haran had Lot. Haran died before his father, Terah, in the country of his family, Ur of the Chaldees.
This is the story of Terah. Terah had Abram, Nahor, and Haran. Haran had Lot. Haran died before his father, Terah, in the country of his family, Ur of the Chaldees.
Genesis 14:13
A fugitive came and reported to Abram the Hebrew. Abram was living at the Oaks of Mamre the Amorite, brother of Eshcol and Aner. They were allies of Abram. When Abram heard that his nephew had been taken prisoner, he lined up his servants, all of them born in his household—there were 318 of them—and chased after the captors all the way to Dan. Abram and his men split into small groups and attacked by night. They chased them as far as Hobah, just north of Damascus. They recovered all the plunder along with nephew Lot and his possessions, including the women and the people.
A fugitive came and reported to Abram the Hebrew. Abram was living at the Oaks of Mamre the Amorite, brother of Eshcol and Aner. They were allies of Abram. When Abram heard that his nephew had been taken prisoner, he lined up his servants, all of them born in his household—there were 318 of them—and chased after the captors all the way to Dan. Abram and his men split into small groups and attacked by night. They chased them as far as Hobah, just north of Damascus. They recovered all the plunder along with nephew Lot and his possessions, including the women and the people.
Genesis 14:17
After Abram returned from defeating Kedorlaomer and his allied kings, the king of Sodom came out to greet him in the Valley of Shaveh, the King's Valley. Melchizedek, king of Salem, brought out bread and wine—he was priest of The High God—and blessed him: Blessed be Abram by The High God, Creator of Heaven and Earth. And blessed be The High God, who handed your enemies over to you. Abram gave him a tenth of all the recovered plunder.
After Abram returned from defeating Kedorlaomer and his allied kings, the king of Sodom came out to greet him in the Valley of Shaveh, the King's Valley. Melchizedek, king of Salem, brought out bread and wine—he was priest of The High God—and blessed him: Blessed be Abram by The High God, Creator of Heaven and Earth. And blessed be The High God, who handed your enemies over to you. Abram gave him a tenth of all the recovered plunder.
Revelation 3:19
"The people I love, I call to account—prod and correct and guide so that they'll live at their best. Up on your feet, then! About face! Run after God!
"The people I love, I call to account—prod and correct and guide so that they'll live at their best. Up on your feet, then! About face! Run after God!
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.
