1 Corinthians 14:1 - An Understandable Version (2005 edition)

¹ You should make loving [others] your aim, yet eagerly desire [to possess] spiritual gifts, and especially [the gift of] prophecy.

More versions

King James Version (Oxford) 1769

¹ Follow after charity, and desire spiritual gifts, but rather that ye may prophesy.

Amplified Bible - Classic Edition

¹ EAGERLY PURSUE and seek to acquire [this] love [make it your aim, your great quest]; and earnestly desire and cultivate the spiritual endowments (gifts), especially that you may prophesy (interpret the divine will and purpose in inspired preaching and teaching).

American Standard Version (1901)

¹ Follow after love; yet desire earnestly spiritual gifts, but rather that ye may prophesy.

Common English Bible

¹ Pursue love, and use your ambition to try to get spiritual gifts but especially so that you might prophesy.

Catholic Public Domain Version

¹ Pursue charity. Be zealous for spiritual things, but only so that you may prophesy.

1 Corinthians 14:1 Cross References

Romans 12:6

And we [all] have different gifts, in harmony with the unearned favor [God has] shown us. If our gift is the ability to prophesy [i.e., to speak for God], we should make use of this gift in harmony with the amount of faith we have.

Romans 14:19

So then, let us pursue such things that produce peace and things that build one another up [spiritually].

Romans 9:30

What shall we say then? [Simply this]: That the Gentiles, who did not attempt to become right with God [by how they lived] were made right with God, and this was the result of their faith [in Christ].

1 Corinthians 12:1

Now concerning spiritual [i.e., supernatural] gifts, brothers, I want you to be [fully] knowledgeable.

1 Corinthians 12:31

[Obviously not], but you should eagerly desire the more important gifts. And now I will show you a much better way [i.e., a better way to serve one another in the church than using supernatural gifts]:

1 Corinthians 13:13

But now [i.e., since the temporary gifts are to pass away], these three things remain: faith, hope and love; and the most important of them is love.

1 Corinthians 13:2

And if I have the [spiritual] gift of prophecy, and can understand all [of God’s] secret purposes, and have all knowledge; and if I have all [the supernatural] faith necessary to relocate mountains [See Matt. 17:20], but do not have love [for people], I am nothing.

1 Corinthians 14:22

Therefore, languages [i.e., spoken supernaturally] are for a [miraculous] sign to unbelievers, not to believers. But prophesying is for a [miraculous] sign to believers, not to unbelievers.

1 Corinthians 14:37

If any man thinks he is a prophet or has a spiritual gift, he should realize that the things I am writing to you are the Lord’s commandment.

1 Corinthians 14:39

Therefore, my brothers, desire eagerly to prophesy and [yet] do not prohibit people from speaking in a language [supernaturally].

1 Corinthians 16:14

Everything you do should be done lovingly.

Ephesians 1:3

May the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ be praised, for He has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms in [fellowship with] Christ. [Note: The phrase “heavenly realms” is used somewhat differently throughout this book. Here it refers to Christians as part of the church on earth].

1 Thessalonians 5:20

Do not look down on prophetic messages.

1 Timothy 4:14

Do not neglect [using] the gift [i.e., of serving as an evangelist. See II Tim. 4:5], which was given to you in response to a prophetic message [or, prediction], along with the laying on of the elders’ hands [i.e., signifying your appointment].

1 Timothy 5:10

having a reputation for doing good deeds, [such as] bringing up children, showing hospitality to strangers, washing the feet of the saints [i.e., God’s holy people], assisting people in trouble and devoting herself to doing all [other] kinds of good deeds.

1 Timothy 6:11

But you, man of God, run from these things [See verses 3-10], and pursue right living and godliness, having faith, love, perseverance and gentleness.

2 Timothy 2:22

But run from the evil desires of youth and pursue [the practice of] right living, faith, love and peace, along with those people who call on the Lord [i.e., in prayer] from a pure heart.

Hebrews 12:14

Actively seek to live in peace with all people. And be dedicated to God, because no one will see God without this.

2 Peter 1:7

and brotherly kindness along with your godliness, and with your brotherly kindness, develop love.

3 John 1:11

Dear [friend], do not imitate what is evil, but [only] what is good. The person who does what is good is [a child] of God; the one who does evil has not seen God [spiritually].