Commentaries:
Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown
covet earnestly—Greek, "emulously desire." Not in the spirit of discontented "coveting." The Spirit "divides to every man severally as He will" (I Corinthians 12:1); but this does not prevent men earnestly seeking, by prayer and watchfulness, and cultivation of their faculties, the greatest gifts. BEZA explains, "Hold in the highest estimation"; which accords with the distinction in his view (I Corinthians 14:1) between "follow after charity—zealously esteem spiritual gifts"; also with (I Corinthians 12:11, I Corinthians 12:18) the sovereign will with which the Spirit distributes the gifts, precluding individuals from desiring gifts not vouchsafed to them. But see on I Corinthians 14:1.
the best gifts—Most of the oldest manuscripts read, "the greatest gifts."
and yet—Greek, "and moreover." Besides recommending your zealous desire for the greatest gifts, I am about to show you a something still more excellent (literally, "a way most way-like") to desire, "the way of love" (compare I Corinthians 14:1). This love, or "charity," includes both "faith" and "hope" (I Corinthians 13:7), and bears the same fruits (I Corinthians 13:1-13) as the ordinary and permanent fruits of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-24). Thus "long-suffering," compare I Corinthians 12:4; "faith," I Corinthians 12:7; "joy," I Corinthians 12:6; "meekness," I Corinthians 12:5; "goodness," I Corinthians 12:5; "gentleness," I Corinthians 12:4 (the Greek is the same for "is kind"). It is the work of the Holy Spirit, and consists in love to God, on account of God's love in Christ to us, and as a consequence, love to man, especially to the brethren in Christ (Romans 5:5; Romans 15:30). This is more to be desired than gifts (Luke 10:20).
Other Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown entries containing 1 Corinthians 12:31:
1 Corinthians 12:1
1 Corinthians 13:1
1 Corinthians 14:1
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