“With yourselves,
Since you are eager
For manifestations
Of the Spirit,
Strive to excel
In building up
The church community.”
οὕτως καὶ ὑμεῖς, ἐπεὶ ζηλωταί ἐστε πνευμάτων, πρὸς τὴν οἰκοδομὴν τῆς ἐκκλησίας ζητεῖτε ἵνα περισσεύητε.
Paul then came back to the Corinthian community. “With yourselves (οὕτως καὶ ὑμεῖς), since you are eager for manifestations of the Spirit (ἐπεὶ ζηλωταί ἐστε πνευμάτων), strive to excel (ζητεῖτε ἵνα περισσεύητε) in building up the church community (πρὸς τὴν οἰκοδομὴν τῆς ἐκκλησίας).” Paul wanted the Corinthians who were eager for spiritual manifestations to strive at building up the church community. He wanted them to work for the common good and not for the individual spectacular speaking in tongues. He knew that they liked spiritual manifestations that were showy rather than the common good. He wanted a strong united church at Corinth, not a disjointed community. Do you try to build up your church community?
