1 Corinthians 14 · Verse 12

1 Corinthians 14:12

Even so ye, forasmuch as ye are zealous of spiritual gifts, seek that ye may excel to the edifying of the church.
1 Corinthians 14:12, King James Version

1 Corinthians 14:12 in other translations

BSBIt is the same with you. Since you are eager to have spiritual gifts, strive to excel in gifts that build up the church.
WEBSo also you, since you are zealous for spiritual gifts, seek that you may abound to the building up of the assembly.
ASVSo also ye, since ye are zealous of spiritual gifts, seek that ye may abound unto the edifying of the church.
YLTso also ye, since ye are earnestly desirous of spiritual gifts, for the building up of the assembly seek that ye may abound;
DARBYThus ye also, since ye are desirous of spirits, seek that ye may abound for the edification of the assembly.
BBESo 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.
WebsterEven so ye, forasmuch as ye are zealous of spiritual gifts, seek that ye may excel to the edifying of the church.

What does 1 Corinthians 14:12 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
12. zealous--emulously desirous. spiritual gifts--literally, "spirits"; that is, emanations from the one Spirit. seek that ye may excel to--Translate, "Seek them, that ye may abound in them to the edifying," &c.

Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown, 1871 · public domain

Barnes' Notes
Verse 12. Even so ye. Since you desire spiritual gifts, I may urge it upon you to seek to be 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. 1Cor 12:31.

Spiritual gifts. The endowments conferred by the Holy Spirit. 1Cor 12:1.

Seek that ye may excel, etc. 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.

(2) "spiritual gifts" "spirits"

Albert Barnes, 1834 · public domain

Adam Clarke's Commentary
Verse 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.

Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on 1 Corinthians 14:6-14

Even an apostle could not edify, unless he spoke so as to be understood by his hearers. To speak words that have no meaning to those who hear them, is but speaking into the air. That cannot answer the end of speaking, which has no meaning; in this case, speaker and hearers are barbarians to each other. All religious services should be so performed in Christian assemblies, that all may join in, and profit by them…

Read the full comment on 1 Corinthians 14:6-14 →

1 Corinthians 14:12 in the original Greek

Word-by-word with transliteration, English gloss and Strong's number. Tap a number for the full definition and every place the word is used.

οὕτωςhoutōsSoG3779
καὶkaialsoG2532
ὑμεῖς,humeisyou yourselves,G4771
ἐπεὶepeisinceG1893
ζηλωταίzēlōtaizealousG2207
ἐστεesteyou areG1510
πνευμάτων,pneumatōnof spiritual gifts,G4151
πρὸςprosforG4314
τὴνtēntheG3588
οἰκοδομὴνoikodomēnedificationG3619
τῆςtēsof theG3588
ἐκκλησίαςekklēsiaschurchG1577
ζητεῖτεzēteitedo seekG2212
ἵναinathatG2443
περισσεύητε.¶perisseuēteyou may exceed.G4052

Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).

Cross references for 1 Corinthians 14:12

  • 1 Corinthians 14:26

    How is it then, brethren? when ye come together, every one of you hath a psalm, hath a doctrine, hath a tongue, hath a revelation, hath an interpretation. Let all things be done unto edifying.

  • 1 Corinthians 12:31

    But covet earnestly the best gifts: and yet shew I unto you a more excellent way.

  • 1 Corinthians 14:3-4

    But he that prophesieth speaketh unto men to edification, and exhortation, and comfort. He that speaketh in an unknown tongue edifieth himself; but he that prophesieth edifieth the church.

  • 1 Corinthians 14:1

    Follow after charity, and desire spiritual gifts, but rather that ye may prophesy.

  • 1 Corinthians 12:7

    But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal.

  • Titus 2:14

    Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.

Ranked by reader votes · OpenBible.info cross references (CC BY).

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
forasmuch.
1; 12:7,31; Tit 2:14
spiritual gifts. Gr. spirits.
32
seek.
3,4,26

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (Samuel Bagster, c. 1836) · public domain

Context

  • 1 Corinthians 14:11

    Therefore if I know not the meaning of the voice, I shall be unto him that speaketh a barbarian, and he that speaketh shall be a barbarian unto me.

  • 1 Corinthians 14:12

    Even so ye, forasmuch as ye are zealous of spiritual gifts, seek that ye may excel to the edifying of the church.

  • 1 Corinthians 14:13

    Wherefore let him that speaketh in an unknown tongue pray that he may interpret.

Read all of 1 Corinthians 14

1 Corinthians 14:12 in other languages

Spanish
Reina-Valera 1909		Así también vosotros; pues que anheláis espirituales dones, procurad ser excelentes para la edificación de la iglesia.
French
Bible J.N. Darby 1885		Ainsi vous aussi, puisque vous désirez avec ardeur des dons de l’Esprit, cherchez à en être abondamment doués pour l’édification de l’assemblée.
German
Elberfelder 1871		Also auch ihr, da ihr um geistliche Gaben eifert, so suchet, daß ihr überströmend seid zur Erbauung der Versammlung.
Latin
Clementine Vulgate		Sic et vos, quoniam æmulatores estis spirituum, ad ædificationem ecclesiæ quærite ut abundetis.