1 Corinthians 14:1

Observe here, 1. The apostle propounds to the Corinthians. threefold object: charity, spiritual gifts, and prophecy. Charity has the precedency and pre-eminency; the apostle not only prefers it before all other gifts, but before the most useful and excellent graces, even faith and hope; for service and benefit to the church of God, it exceeds them all. Next he mentions spiritual gifts: such were the gift of tongues, the gift of miracles, the gift of healing, and lastly, prophecy, by which we are to understand an ordinary set course of preaching, interpreting and opening the holy scriptures, which contain. revelation of God's mind and will.

Observe, 2.. threefold act recommended, answerable to. threefold object propounded. An act of prosecution; diokhete, prosecute and follow after charity as close as your prosecutors pursue and follow after you. It imports. most earnest, vigorous, and vehement pursuit. An act of emulation; dzeyldte, Desire earnestly spiritual gifts. An act of election and choice: Choose rather that ye may prophesy, or clearly understand the mind of God yourselves, and have an ability to expound and explain it to others; this will bring most glory to God, most profit to his church, and most comfort to yourselves.