“Eagerly desire the greater gifts. And now I will show you the most excellent way.”
—1 Corinthians 12:31.

The love chapter (1 Corinthians 13) that follows this verse emphasizes that “the most excellent way” is the way of love. Love is the first fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22).

Our concern should be to seek the fruit of the Spirit and then let the Spirit distribute His gifts to us as “he determines” (1 Corinthians 12:11). The church will never be complete without the gifts of the Spirit, but neither will it be strengthened by artificial imitations of what the Spirit produces. God knows when and where to provide the gifts that will best bless His people and His church.

“Until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.”
—Ephesians 4:13.