SEV Biblia, Chapter 14:1
¶ Seguid la caridad; y procurad dones espirituales, mas sobre todo que profeticis.
Clarke's Bible Commentary - 1 Corinthians 14:1
Verse 1. Follow after charity] Most earnestly labour to be put in possession of that love which beareth, believeth, hopeth, and endureth all things. It may be difficult to acquire, and difficult to retain this blessed state, but it is essential to your present peace and eternal happiness. This clause belongs to the preceding chapter. Desire spiritual gifts] Ye are very intent on getting those splendid gifts which may add to your worldly consequence, and please your carnal minds-but labour rather to get the gifts of God's Spirit, by which ye may grow in grace, and be useful to others-and particularly desire that ye may prophesy-that ye may be able to teach and instruct others in the things of their salvation.
John Gill's Bible Commentary
Ver. 1. Follow after charity , etc.] The apostle having so highly commended charity, or love, in the preceding chapter, presses here to an eager pursuit after it; that is, to an exercise of it, and after those things which make for it, and will serve to maintain and increase it: and everything he has said in praise of it before serves as an argument, or reason, to follow hard after it, with an eagerness used in hunting, and with such violence as persecutors express in pursuing and laying hold on those they seek after, to which there is an allusion in the word here used: and desire spiritual gifts : for though he had given charity the preference to them, he did not mean that they should despise and neglect them, or treat them with indifference, and be unconcerned about them; but, on the other hand, that they should be very zealous for them, ambitious of them, and earnestly covet them; since being rightly used and kept in their proper place, they were greatly beneficial and profitable to the churches of Christ, and the glory of God: but rather that ye may prophesy : of all the gifts of the Spirit, the apostle prefers prophesying, and recommends this to the Corinthians, as what they should be chiefly desirous of, and more desirous of than of speaking with tongues, which many among them were so very fond of: by which he means, not so much the gift of foretelling future events, though there was such a gift bestowed on some persons in those times, and, in certain cases, was very profitable to the churches; but a gift of preaching the word, or explaining the prophecies of the Old Testament, and of praying and singing of psalms, all which, as appears from some following parts of this chapter, were included in it; and that not in an ordinary, but in an extraordinary way; a person possessed of this gift could at once, without the use of means, or help of study, preach the word, and open the more difficult parts of Scripture; he had an extraordinary gift of prayer, which he could make use of when he pleased, and at once compose and deliver out a psalm, or hymn, in the public congregation.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 1-5 - Prophesying, that is, explaining Scripture, is compared with speakin with tongues. This drew attention, more than the plain interpretatio of Scripture; it gratified pride more, but promoted the purposes of Christian charity less; it would not equally do good to the souls of men. What cannot be understood, never can edify. No advantage can be reaped from the most excellent discourses, if delivered in languag such as the hearers cannot speak or understand. Every ability of possession is valuable in proportion to its usefulness. Even fervent spiritual affection must be governed by the exercise of the understanding, else men will disgrace the truths they profess to promote.
Greek Textus Receptus
διωκετε 1377 5720 V-PAM-2P την 3588 T-ASF αγαπην 26 N-ASF ζηλουτε 2206 5720 V-PAM-2P δε 1161 CONJ τα 3588 T-APN πνευματικα 4152 A-APN μαλλον 3123 ADV δε 1161 CONJ ινα 2443 CONJ προφητευητε 4395 5725 V-PAS-2P
Robertson's NT Word Studies
14:1 {Follow after love} (diwkete ten agapen). As if a veritable chase. Paul comes back to the idea in #12:31 (same use of zeloute) and proves the superiority of prophecy to the other spiritual gifts not counting faith, hope, love of #13:13. {But rather that ye may prophesy} (mallon de hina profeteuete). Distinct aim in view as in verse #5. Old verb from profetes, common in N.T. Present subjunctive, "that ye may keep on prophesying."
