“Pursue Love and earnestly desire the spiritual gifts…..”
1 Cor. 14:1
ABP+ “Pursue the love, and be zeaous for the spirituals…”
David and I have been doing a bible study group through our FB group page “DavidandJeanneBibleStudies” and have been looking at Paul’s instructions to the Corinthian church. Corinth is infamous as a city filled with luxury, commerce, riches and the debauchery it affords. With travellers coming to stay or passing through for business, I thought of Las Vegas and it’s advertised culture of excess, as I read the commentaries on Corinthian life at the time of Paul’s writing.
It’s interesting to note the teaching we have on love is found in the midst of a culture that worships Aphrodite, the Goddess of Love. The temple established on the hill for her worship held 1000 priestesses, who were held as sacred prostitues during the day at the temple and then served the city streets at night.
In the midst of this culture, Paul writes some very definitive instructions for identity, motivations and behaviour to be held and practiced by the believers. We find chapter thirteen in 1 Corinthians the hinge all his instructions swing on. If we can establish our hearts in love, we can overcome the carnal impluses of the flesh. So, Paul writes, pursue love and desire spirituals.
I want to take a look at two words, pursue and earnestly desire, in the Greek, from Helps Word Studies ~
Pursue ~ 1377 diōkō – properly, aggressively chase, like a hunter pursues a catch (prize). 1377 (diōkō) is used positively ("earnestly pursue") and negatively ("zealously persecute, hunt down").
[In each case, 1377 (diōkō) means pursue with all haste ("chasing" after), earnestly desiring to overtake (apprehend).]
1377/diōkō ("doggedly pursue, chase") means "to run swiftly in order to catch some person or thing, to run after, pursue," metaphorically, "to seek eagerly, earnestly endeavor to acquire" (K. Wuest);
Earnestly desire ~ 2206 zēlóō (an onomatopoeic word imitating the sound of boiling water) – properly, to bubble over from getting so hot (boiling); (figuratively) "to burn with zeal" (J. Thayer); "to be deeply committed to something, with the implication of accompanying desire – 'to be earnest, to set one's heart on, to be completely intent upon'" (L & N, 1, 25.76). See 2205 (zēlos).
I’m sure you are aware that this love we are to pursue is ‘agape’, the love God has and this is the very love we are to pursue ~ Ephesians 5:2
“Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children, and walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us…..” CEV renders this, “Let love be your guide”
We ‘dioko’ this love to acquire and display His love; both in the receiving and giving. We don’t want this to be ‘second nature’ we want it to be our primary nature, with every thought, deed and motivation driven by His love for us and for others. We want to think as God thinks. We want to see as God sees and we want all to be bathed in love.
Then, “zeloo” (earnestly desire), decribes the intensity I display as I pursue spiritual activity. I might have a “desire” for something but it doesn’t mean I am pursuing to acquire it. This word describes the effort and activity I am willing to give to actually possess and display the reality of all spiritual activity.
Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord.
Romans 12:11
Paul told Timothy to study to show himself approved. A workman that did not need to be ashamed. There is an effort required to be spiritual. There are disciplines that must be practiced. There are things to be learned that require being with Jesus.
Can we do this? Yes. Is it easy, not in the flesh, but we are assured we can do all things through Christ Jesus who gives us strength. May we live with this zealous pursuit for the love and ways of the Spirit that bring only glory to the workings of God in and through our lives as we “dioko” to know Him and His ways.