Commentaries:
Robertson's Word Pictures (NT)
The greater gifts (ta xarismata ta meizona). Paul unhesitatingly ranks some spiritual gifts above others. Zhlow here has good sense, not that of envy as in Acts 7:9; I Corinthians 13:4.
And a still more excellent way (kai eti kaq uperbolhn odon). In order to gain the greater gifts. "I show you a way par excellence," beyond all comparison (superlative idea in this adjunct, not comparative), like kaq uperbolhn eiv uperbolhn (II Corinthians 4:17). uperbolh is old word from uperballw, to throw beyond, to surpass, to excel (II Corinthians 3:10; Ephesians 1:19). "I show you a supremely excellent way." Chapter 1Co. 13 is this way, the way of love already laid down in I Corinthians 8:1 concerning the question of meats offered to idols (cf. I John 4:7). Poor division of chapters here. This verse belongs with chapter 1Co. 13.
Other Robertson's Word Pictures (NT) entries containing 1 Corinthians 12:31:
Romans 7:13
1 Corinthians 1:5
1 Corinthians 13:1
1 Corinthians 13:4
1 Corinthians 14:1
2 Corinthians 1:8
2 Corinthians 4:7
2 Corinthians 4:17
James 4:2
1 Peter 4:10
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