1 CORINTHIANS 14:1 — KING JAMES VERSION 0
“Follow after charity, and desire spiritual gifts, but rather that ye may prophesy.”
Follow the way of love and eagerly desire gifts of the Spirit, especially prophecy — Paul establishes the moral framework: love is the foundation, spiritual gifts are secondary and hierarchical. Prophecy (propheteía) is singled out as supremely valuable because it builds community rather than merely expressing ecstatic experience. The pursuit must be ordered and loving, not self-focused.
Church Fathers on 1 Corinthians 14:1
Thus, inasmuch as he had with exactness rehearsed unto them all the excellence of love, he exhorts them in what follows, with alacrity to lay hold of it. Wherefore also he said, “Follow after:” for he that is in chase beholds that only which is chased, and towards that he strains himself, and leaves not off until he lay hold of it. He that is in chase, when by himself he cannot, by those that are before him he does overtake the fugitive, beseeching those who are near with…
Nicene & Post-Nicene / Ante-Nicene Fathers translations · public domain
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