1 Corinthians 14:12

Contextual Overview

⁶So now, brothers and sisters, if I come to you speaking in other tongues, how will I benefit you unless I speak to you with a revelation or knowledge or prophecy or teaching? ⁶ Now brethren, if I come vnto you speaking with tongues, what shall I profit you, except I shall speake to you either by reuelation, or by knowledge, or by prophesying, or by doctrine? ⁶ Now, brethren, if I come unto you speaking with tongues, what shall I profit you, except I shall speak to you either by revelation, or by knowledge, or by prophesying, or by doctrine? ⁶ Now, brothers, if I come to you speaking in tongues, how will I benefit you unless I bring you some revelation or knowledge or prophecy or teaching? ⁶ But now, brothers and sisters, if I come to you speaking in tongues, how will I benefit you unless I speak to you either by way of revelation, or of knowledge, or of prophecy, or of teaching? 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 new knowledge, or prophecy, or teaching. ⁶Now, believers, if I come to you speaking in unknown tongues, how will I benefit you unless I also speak to you [clearly] either by revelation [revealing God's mystery], or by knowledge [teaching about God], or by prophecy [foretelling the future, speaking a new message from God to the people], or by instruction [teaching precepts that develop spiritual maturity]? ⁶ But now, brethren, if I come to you speaking in tongues, what will I profit you unless I speak to you either by way of revelation or of knowledge or of prophecy or of teaching? ⁶But now, brothers, if I come to you speaking in tongues, what will I profit you unless I speak to you either by way of revelation or of knowledge or of prophecy or of teaching? ⁶Now, brothers, if I come to you speaking in tongues, how will I benefit you, unless I bring you some revelation or knowledge or prophecy or teaching?

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
Now this is the history of the generations of Terach. Terach became the father of Avram, Nachor, and Haran. Haran became the father of Lot.

Genesis 11:27
Now these are the generations of Terah: Terah begat Abram, Nahor, and Haran; and Haran begat Lot.

Genesis 11:27
Now these are the generations of Terah. Terah fathered Abram, Nahor, and Haran, and Haran fathered Lot.

Genesis 11:27
This is the family history of Terah. Terah was the father of Abram, Nahor, and Haran. Haran was the father of Lot.

Genesis 11:27
This is the account of Terah. Terah became the father of Abram, Nahor, and Haran. And Haran became the father of Lot.

Genesis 11:27
Now these are the records of the descendants of Terah. Terah was the father of Abram (Abraham), Nahor, and Haran; and Haran was the father of Lot.

Genesis 11:27
Now these are the records of the generations of Terah. Terah fathered Abram, Nahor, and Haran; and Haran fathered Lot.

Genesis 11:27
Nowe these are the generations of Terah: Terah begate Abram, Nahor, and Haran: and Haran begate Lot.

Genesis 11:27
Now these are the generations of Terah. Terah became the father of Abram, Nahor, and Haran; and Haran became the father of Lot.

Genesis 11:27
Here is the genealogy of Terach. Terach fathered Avram, Nachor and Haran; and Haran fathered Lot.

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.