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.