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1 Corinthians 12

1 Cor. 12:31 KJV (With Strong’s)

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31
But
ho (Greek #3588)
the definite article; the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in English idiom)
KJV usage: the, this, that, one, he, she, it, etc.
Pronounce: ho
Origin: ἡ (hay), and the neuter τό (to) in all their inflections
de (Greek #1161)
but, and, etc.
KJV usage: also, and, but, moreover, now (often unexpressed in English).
Pronounce: deh
Origin: a primary particle (adversative or continuative)
covetm earnestly
zeloo (Greek #2206)
to have warmth of feeling for or against
KJV usage: affect, covet (earnestly), (have) desire, (move with) envy, be jealous over, (be) zealous(-ly affect).
Pronounce: dzay-lo'-o
Origin: from 2205
the best
kreitton (Greek #2909)
stronger, i.e. (figuratively) better, i.e. nobler
KJV usage: best, better.
Pronounce: krite'-tohn
Origin: comparative of a derivative of 2904
gifts
ho (Greek #3588)
the definite article; the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in English idiom)
KJV usage: the, this, that, one, he, she, it, etc.
Pronounce: ho
Origin: ἡ (hay), and the neuter τό (to) in all their inflections
charisma (Greek #5486)
a (divine) gratuity, i.e. deliverance (from danger or passion); (specially), a (spiritual) endowment, i.e. (subjectively) religious qualification, or (objectively) miraculous faculty
KJV usage: (free) gift.
Pronounce: khar'-is-mah
Origin: from 5483
n: and
kai (Greek #2532)
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
KJV usage: and, also, both, but, even, for, if, or, so, that, then, therefore, when, yet.
Pronounce: kahee
Origin: apparently, a primary particle, having a copulative and sometimes also a cumulative force
yet
eti (Greek #2089)
"yet," still (of time or degree)
KJV usage: after that, also, ever, (any) further, (t-)henceforth (more), hereafter, (any) longer, (any) more(-one), now, still, yet.
Pronounce: et'-ee
Origin: perhaps akin to 2094
show I
deiknuo (Greek #1166)
to show (literally or figuratively)
KJV usage: shew.
Pronounce: dike-noo'-o
Origin: a prolonged form of an obsolete primary of the same meaning
unto you
humin (Greek #5213)
to (with or by) you
KJV usage: ye, you, your(-selves).
Pronounce: hoo-min'
Origin: irregular dative case of 5210
a more excellent
kata (Greek #2596)
(prepositionally) down (in place or time), in varied relations (according to the case (genitive, dative or accusative) with which it is joined)
KJV usage: about, according as (to), after, against, (when they were) X alone, among, and, X apart, (even, like) as (concerning, pertaining to touching), X aside, at, before, beyond, by, to the charge of, (charita-)bly, concerning, + covered, (dai-)ly, down, every, (+ far more) exceeding, X more excellent, for, from ... to, godly, in(-asmuch, divers, every, -to, respect of), ... by, after the manner of, + by any means, beyond (out of) measure, X mightily, more, X natural, of (up-)on (X part), out (of every), over against, (+ your) X own, + particularly, so, through(-oughout, -oughout every), thus, (un-)to(-gether, -ward), X uttermost, where(-by), with. In composition it retains many of these applications, and frequently denotes opposition, distribution, or intensity.
Pronounce: kat-ah'
Origin: a primary particle
huperbole (Greek #5236)
a throwing beyond others, i.e. (figuratively) supereminence; adverbially (with 1519 or 2596) pre- eminently
KJV usage: abundance, (far more) exceeding, excellency, more excellent, beyond (out of) measure.
Pronounce: hoop-er-bol-ay'
Origin: from 5235
way
hodos (Greek #3598)
a road; by implication, a progress (the route, act or distance); figuratively, a mode or means
KJV usage: journey, (high-)way.
Pronounce: hod-os'
Origin: apparently a primary word
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m
1 Cor. 14:39• 39Wherefore, brethren, covet to prophesy, and forbid not to speak with tongues. (1 Cor. 14:39)
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Matt. 5:6• 6Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled. (Matt. 5:6)
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Luke 10:42• 42But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her. (Luke 10:42)

More on:

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Gifts,
To Covet

Cross References

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Ministry on This Verse

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covet.
1 Cor. 8:1• 1Now as touching things offered unto idols, we know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffeth up, but charity edifieth. (1 Cor. 8:1)
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1 Cor. 14:1,39• 1Follow after charity, and desire spiritual gifts, but rather that ye may prophesy.
 39Wherefore, brethren, covet to prophesy, and forbid not to speak with tongues. (1 Cor. 14:1,39)
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Matt. 5:6• 6Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled. (Matt. 5:6)
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Luke 10:42• 42But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her. (Luke 10:42)
shew.
1 Cor. 13:1‑13• 1Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal.
 2And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing.
 3And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing.
 4Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up,
 5Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil;
 6Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth;
 7Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.
 8Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away.
 9For we know in part, and we prophesy in part.
 10But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away.
 11When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things.
 12For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.
 13And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity. (1 Cor. 13:1‑13)
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Phil. 3:8• 8Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ, (Phil. 3:8)
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Heb. 11:4• 4By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts: and by it he being dead yet speaketh. (Heb. 11:4)
• Some gifts then, were more excellent than others; they were to be estimated according to the measure in which they served for the edification of the assembly. (“1 Corinthians 12” by J.N. Darby)
• At the same time the saints are encouraged to desire earnestly the greater gifts, but these were for edification, not for show. (“Notes on 1 Corinthians 12:16-31” by W. Kelly)

J. N. Darby Translation

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31
But desire earnestly the greater gifts, and yet shew I unto you a way of more surpassing excellence.

W. Kelly Translation

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31
But desire earnestly the greatera gifts, and yet I show you a way of exceeding excellence.

WK Translation Notes

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a
Some MSS. read "better."