Translation
Boil with zeal,
Go to footnote numberhowever, [for] the mega
Go to footnote numbergifts of grace. And now I show you a far superior
Go to footnote numberroad.
Go to footnote numberParaphrase
However, after all I have said, I summarize it this way – be overflowing with desire for the gracious gifts that have greater spiritual impact. But now I turn your attention to a far superior way of living.
Footnotes
1: “boil with zeal”:
This is the source of our English word “zeal.” It comes from a root word meaning to boil. I can be rendered “so hot as to bubble over, to burn with zeal, to be jealous, to intently desire something.”
2
This is where our English word “mega” comes from. This once again indicates that not all underserved gifts are on the same level. I think this is true because the gracious giftings of the Holy Spirit affect people differently when measured as eternal impact on others. Also, some gifts of grace are more resistant to being counterfeited.
3: “far superior”:
This is a compound word which means “to throw beyond,” hence it is used to communicate “far beyond, far superior, exceeding, surpassing, excessive, beyond measure, excellent.”
4
This was their word for “road, path or way.” Obviously, the New Testament usually employs this word in a figurative sense pointing to our daily “walk,” our conduct.
THE FAR SUPERIOR WAY OF LOVE
It appears that the believers in Corinth had become sidetracked into an intense search for, and debate about, spiritual gifts, especially tongues. Here Paul demonstrates that they should seek to love one another much more than they should seek spiritual gifts of grace. Love is not a spiritual gift given only to a few; it is something all of us receive and all of us should show to others. Love is the foundation on which everything else is built. Despite how impressive they are, all those spiritual gifts are worthless without love for others.
DOES THIS ALSO MEAN A BETTER WAY TO SPEAK IN TONGUES?
For the Corinthians the answer was “No”. It is not likely in the Corinthians context because Paul had already taught them about this while he was with them. It was nothing new to them.
However, for us today the answer should be “Yes!” From chapter 14 we can indeed learn a better way to use private tongues. It is far superior to what the Corinthians practiced or what is commonly practiced today when people claim to speak in tongues. It is not as emotional, but it is deeper, more effective, and it takes us closer to God. It is based on love for God and love for others. It glorifies God not self. It follows all the rules that govern the use of spiritual gifts.