Bible Dictionaries

Vine's Expository Dictionary of NT Words

Best

is one of two words translated "best" in the AV, but the only one so rendered in the RV. In Luke 15:22 "the best (robe)" is, lit., "the first (robe)," i.e., chief, principal, first in rank or quality. See BEFORE , BEGINNING , CHIEF , FIRST , FORMER.

"greater," is translated "best" in 1 Corinthians 12:31 , "the best gifts," greater, not in quality, but in importance and value. It is the comparative degree of megas, "great;" the superlative, megistos, is used only in 2 Peter 1:4 . See ELDER , GREATER and MORE.