1 Corinthians 12:31 (WEB)
But earnestly desire the best gifts. Moreover, I show a most excellent way to you.
Fathers and councils · 15
Ambrose of Milan
““Covet earnestly the best gifts.”” — editor's note: 1 Cor. xii. 31.
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John Cassian
- John Cassian, Conferences XI–XVII XI.12Conference XI
“For “whether there be prophecies, they shall fail, whether there be tongues, they shall cease, whether there be knowledge, it shall be destroyed,” but “love never faileth,” and without it not only those most excellent kinds of gifts, but even the glory of martyrdom itself will fail.” — editor's note: 1 Cor. xii. 31; xiii. 1–8.
Read the whole comment - John Cassian, Conferences XI–XVII XV.2Conference XV
“…when he was going to speak about love notice how in a few words he put it before all gifts: “And yet,” he says, “I show unto you a still more excellent way.”” — editor's note: 1 Cor. xii. 31.
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Augustine of Hippo
“…hearts by the Holy Ghost, which is given unto us;” and where, “concerning spiritual gifts,” he teacheth and showeth unto us a more excellent way of charity; and where he bows his knees unto Thee for us, that we may know the super-eminent knowledge of the love of Christ.” — editor's note: 1 Cor. xii. 1, 31.
Read the whole comment“But if in a good sense we take Libanus, because of the “cedars of Libanus which He hath planted:” what other fruit must be understood, that is being exalted above this Libanus, except that whereof the Apostle speaketh when he is going to speak concerning that love of his, “yet a pre-eminent way to you I show”?” — editor's note: 1 Cor. xii. 31.
Read the whole comment“…forasmuch as the gifts of Divine grace are many, and one is greater and better than another, whence the Apostle says, “But emulate ye the better gifts;” we are to understand that they are more in number than to allow of being distributed under those different kinds.” — editor's note: 1 Cor. xii. 31
Read the whole comment“…all these should be gone through in the manner which I have indicated, and ought therein to be referred to the more excellent way (already noticed).” — editor's note: 1 Cor. xii. 31. See also above, § 9.
Read the whole comment“The Apostle says, “I show unto you a way above the rest.”” — editor's note: Supereminentiorem. 1 Cor. xii. 31.
Read the whole comment“And when the apostle is about to speak of charity, he says, “I show you a more excellent way;” and in another place, “To know also the love of Christ, which far excelleth knowledge;” and still further elsewhere, “And above all these things charity which is the bond of perfectness.”” — editor's note: 1 Cor. xii. 31.
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John Chrysostom
“As Paul also saith, “It is good to be zealously affected always in a good thing” ( Gal. iv. 18 ) and, “Covet earnestly the best gifts.” ( 1 Cor. xii. 31.)” — the author cites it
Read the whole comment““Covet earnestly the best gifts: and yet show I unto you a more excellent way.” ( 1 Cor. xii. 31.)” — the author cites it
Read the whole comment““But covet earnestly,” saith he, “the best gifts: and yet show I unto you a more excellent way.”” — editor's note: 1 Cor. xii. 31.
Read the whole comment“For when he had said, “Covet earnestly the best gifts, and yet show I unto you a more excellent way;”\he did not speak next of a sign, but of charity, the root of all our good things.” — editor's note: 1 Cor. xii. 31.
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Catena Aurea on John
- OrigenCatena Aurea on John
“…to search out the things which appertain to knowledge: with others it is actual light, those who, as the Apostle saith, covet earnestly the best gifts, (1 Cor. 12:31) that is to say, the word of wisdom. (c. 14.).” — the author cites it
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Tertullian
“…them in the human body); and on the subject of the superiority of love above all these gifts, He even taught the apostle that it was the chief commandment, just as Christ has shown it to be: “Thou shalt love the Lord with all thine heart and soul, with all thy strength, and with all thy mind, and thy neighbour as…” — editor's note: Compare 1 Cor. xii. 31; xiii. 1, 13.
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Cross-references · 22
Cited together in Concerning Widows Chapter 5.
Cited together in Concerning Widows Chapter 5.
Cited together in Confessions XIII.7.
Cited together in Confessions XIII.7.
Cited together in Confessions XIII.7.
Cited together in Confessions XIII.7.
Cited together in Confessions XIII.7 and 1 other place.
Cited together in Confessions XIII.7 and 1 other place.
Cited together in Concerning Widows Chapter 5.
Cited together in Concerning Widows Chapter 5.
Cited together in Confessions XIII.7.
Cited together in Concerning Widows Chapter 5.
Cited together in Of Holy Virginity Chapter 46.
Cited together in Tractates on the Gospel of John Tractate 118.
Cited together in Tractates on the Gospel of John Tractate 118.
Cited together in Tractates on the Gospel of John Tractate 118.
Cited together in Tractates on the Gospel of John Tractate 118.
Cited together in Of Holy Virginity Chapter 46.
Cited together in Concerning Widows Chapter 5.
Cited together in Origen on John 1:5 (3) (Catena Aurea).
Cited together in Of Holy Virginity Chapter 46.
Cited together in Confessions XIII.7.