John Calvin Commentary 1 Corinthians 14:12

"So also ye, since ye are zealous of spiritual [gifts], seek that ye may abound unto the edifying of the church." — 1 Corinthians 14:12 (ASV)

Since you are in pursuit of spiritual gifts, Paul concludes that the gift of tongues has not been given for the purpose of causing a few to boast, without benefiting the Church. “If spiritual gifts,” he says, “delight you, let the goal be edification. Then only may you consider that you have attained a true and praiseworthy excellence — when the Church benefits from you.”

Paul, however, does not by this give permission to anyone to cherish an ambition to excel, even for the benefit of the Church; but by correcting the fault, he shows how far short they fall of what they are pursuing, and at the same time, he lets them know who should be most highly esteemed.

He would have a person held in higher estimation according to how eagerly he devotes himself to promoting edification. In the meantime, it is our role to keep this one goal in view — that the Lord may be exalted, and that His kingdom may be enlarged day by day.

He employs the term spirits, here, by metonymy, to denote spiritual gifts, just as the spirit of doctrine, understanding, or judgment is used to denote spiritual doctrine, understanding, or judgment. Otherwise, we must keep in mind what he stated previously: that it is one and the same Spirit, who distributeth to every man various gifts according to his will. (1 Corinthians 12:11).