Among the spiritual gifts in Corinth there was a considerable manifestation of the gift of tongues. 1 Corinthians 14:13, 26. The apostle Paul claimed to have this gift. 1 Corinthians 14:18. These factors suggest a genuine gift of tongues, which cannot be discounted by excess and abuse on the part of some members of the church. 2. There was an excessive zeal to obtain and demonstrate publicly the gift of tongues. 1 Corinthians 14:23. This led Paul to counsel the believers to “covet earnestly the best