Have all the gifts of healing? do all speak with tongues? do all interpret?
31 But covet earnestly the best gifts: and yet shew I unto you a more excellent way.
Ver. 31. Covet earnestly, &c.] Ζηλουτε, ambite. This is the best ambition. Christians should strive to excel, and be the best at what they undertake. Melancthon saith that Frederick the elector of Saxony had cropped off the tops of all virtues.
A more excellent way] What was that? Charity to God and men, 1 Corinthians 13:1. Graces are better than gifts. A shopful of barrels enrich not, unless full of commodities. Gifts as to heaven are but the lumber of a Christian; it is grace maketh him rich toward God; and is therefore chiefly to be coveted. Care also is to be taken that we get not the spiritual rickets; grow big in the head (in gifts), decay in the vitals, i.e. in grace and the exercise of it.