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1Co 12:31. Ζηλοῦτε, emulously desire) The Spirit gives as He wills, 1Co 12:11 : but yet believers may freely follow out, and engage in, one thing in preference to another, ch. 1Co 14:26. God’s operations are pleasant, not compulsory.-τὰ κρείττονα, the better gifts) according as each gift is more favourable to love. Theology is comparative: ch. 1Co 14:5; 1Co 14:19.-ἔτι) [and yet, Engl. Vers.] nay even: so ἔτι τε καὶ, yea even also, Luk 14:26. I not only exhort, but also show the method, and the way or plan [the true mode of viewing the subject].-καθʼ ὑπερβολὴν) This expression attaches to the noun substantive the force of a superlative (Rom 7:13), as if he were to say, the way most way-like [viam maximè vialem].-ὁδὸν, a way) He does not add the article, keeping the Corinthians somewhat in suspense, while he explains the way: דרך, the way of love.-δείκνυμι, I show) The present. Paul is now waxing warm, and is carried on to love. When he has made this ‘showing’ of the way, he returns to the gifts, as the word emulously desire [ζηλοῦτε] repeated indicates, here and at ch. 1Co 14:1.