1 Cor. 12:31. Earnestly desire the greater gifts (τα κρείττονα).
He secretly hinted that they themselves were to blame for having received lesser gifts. For by the word "earnestly desire" he demands effort on their part, and a greater striving toward the spiritual. In the Greek it does not say "greater" (τα μείζονα), but "better" (τα κρείττονα), that is, the most useful.
1 Cor. 12:31. And I will show you a still more excellent way.
If you earnestly desire the gifts, then together with these ways (the word "still" points to this) I will show you one "more excellent" way, that is, a superior one, which leads to all the gifts. He means love.