1 Corinthians 14:1

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

'Follow after love' -'As if. veritable chase.' (Robertson p. 181) 'Signifies to prosecute to its goal.' (Gr. Ex. N.T. p. 902) 'Hotly pursue this love' (Mon); 'Make love your great quest' (Ber) 'Lit., pursue, strive for, seek after, aspire to..in Paul it is. favorite metaphor for spiritual effort (1 Thessalonians 5:15; Romans 12:13; Romans 14:19; 1 Timothy 6:11; 2 Timothy 2:22). The present imperative implies continuous action, "keep on pursuing love."' (Fee p. 654)

Especially necessary when we remember that "without love", the most talented and gifted among the people of God, amount to nothing in God's estimation. (1 Corinthians 13:1-3) **Talent never can make up for. poor attitude.** There is never. point in our lives that we can stop pursuing the love described in 1 Corinthians 13:4.

'yet desire earnestly spiritual gifts' -while the gifts were to be operational, the Corinthians are encouraged to seek them. (1 Corinthians 12:31; 1 Thessalonians 5:19; 1 Timothy 4:14) After all, God gave them for. reason, and they had great benefit for the church when exercised properly. (1 Corinthians 14:3) Love isn't placed in opposition to the gifts, but rather, love opens up the true way for the proper exercise of every spiritual and natural gift.

'but rather' -'and above all' (NEB); 'and especially' (Gspd)

'that ye may prophesy' -Inspired preaching in the language of your audience.

Points to Note:

1. In certain situations, various gifts were "greater" than others. (1 Corinthians 12:31)

'It must be borne in mind that Paul is discussing these two gifts (prophecy and tongues) in relation to assembly worship. The whole chapter presupposes this and at times this is explicitly spelled out. To compare. steak-knife to. wood-chisel and claim the knife is superior makes no sense unless you have cutting steak in mind. Each is geared well for its own job.. (McGuiggan p. 178)

In an assembly, where everyone spoke the same language, prophecy was the better gift, seeing that the prophet spoke in the common language of his audience.

2. Those who pursue love will always edify others around them, whether they have. spiritual gift or not!