Verse 1
This verse sums up what Paul had just written about love, and it resumes the thought in 1 Corinthians 12:31 by restating that exhortation. In contrast to some of the milder advice he gave in this epistle, Paul urged his readers strongly to follow the way of love. This imperative advances the thought by urging the readers to seek the gift of prophesying in particular. This indicates that, while spiritual gifts are sovereignly bestowed, God does not necessarily grant them all at conversion. One may strongly desire a gift.
"At the end of chap. 12, where he had been speaking specifically of the gifts themselves as gracious endowments, he told them, ’eagerly desire the greater charismata.’ Now in a context where the emphasis will be on the activity of the Spirit in the community at worship, he says, ’eagerly desire the things of the Spirit [ta pneumatika].’" [Note: Fee, The First . . ., p. 655.]
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