1 Corinthians 12:31
Posted by 1 Corinthians on Friday, 2 March 2012
1 Corinthians 12:31b
and yet shew I unto you a more excellent way.
12:31b. Though Paul greatly valued spiritual gifts, he valued even more a quality of life which the Spirit produced. Spiritual gifts were variously apportioned to individuals in the church so that no single gift was possessed by every member (cf. vv. 19-30). On the other hand the Holy Spirit sought to produce the fruit of the Spirit in every Christian (Gal. 5:22-23), chief among which was love. This was more important than the gifts, and when displayed it would help correct the Corinthian aberrations which surrounded their possession and use of God’s gifts (cf. 1 Cor. 14:1).
The way Paul referred to was a manner of life preeminently characterized by love (cf. John 15:9-17). Jesus and John the Baptist followed this way of righteousness (Matt. 3:15; 21:32) by obediently practicing the will of God and exhorting their followers to do the same (Matt. 5:6, 10, 20; 6:33). This same manner of life and consequent conduct Paul called the way of love (1 Cor. 14:1; cf. Rom. 13:8-10), which he followed and exhorted the Corinthians to do the same (1 Cor. 14:1; cf. 11:1).
Excerpt from:
Walvoord, J. F., Zuck, R. B., & Dallas Theological Seminary. (1983-c1985).
The Bible Knowledge Commentary : An Exposition of the Scriptures.
Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.
