Spiritual Gifts
The church in Corinth focused too much on...
The church in Corinth focused too much on the gift of speaking in tongues (see 14:1–25, 27; compare the lists in 12:8–10, 28, where Paul lists tongues last). Paul offers advice to correct their understanding of the value and use of spiritual gifts.
Paul introduces the topic and highlights how the...
Paul introduces the topic and highlights how the Holy Spirit actively works in believers.
1Now about spiritual gifts, brothers, I do not want you to be uninformed. 2You know that when you were pagans, you were influenced and led astray to mute idols. 3Therefore I inform you that no one who is speaking by the Spirit of God says, “Jesus be cursed,” and no one can say, “Jesus is Lord,” except by the Holy Spirit.
Believers are united in the Lord and his...
Believers are united in the Lord and his Spirit, but God gives different spiritual gifts to each person. These gifts help them serve the same Lord in various ways (see also 7:7; 12:7–11, 28–31; Romans 12:6–8; Ephesians 4:11).
4There are different gifts, but the same Spirit. 5There are different ministries, but the same Lord. 6There are different ways of working, but the same God works all things in all people.
7Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good.
This list of nine spiritual gifts is an...
This list of nine spiritual gifts is an example, not a complete list (see also 12:28–30; Romans 12:6–8; Ephesians 4:11).
8To one there is given through the Spirit the message of wisdom, to another the message of knowledge by the same Spirit, 9to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, 10to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in various tongues, and to still another the interpretation of tongues. 11All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, who apportions them to each one as He determines.
The Body of Christ
The church is like a body (see 12:27)...
The church is like a body (see 12:27) made up of many different parts. Each part has its own role, as determined by God (see 12:11, 18, 28; Romans 12:4–5).
12The body is a unit, though it is composed of many parts. And although its parts are many, they all form one body. So it is with Christ. 13For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, slave or free, and we were all given one Spirit to drink.
These verses shift from the image of a...
These verses shift from the image of a physical body to the image of the church as a spiritual body. Every part of the body is important and essential for it to work well. Believers should not brag about their spiritual roles or think less of them compared to others. God, who created the body, has placed each part exactly where he wants it (12:18).
14For the body does not consist of one part, but of many. 15If the foot should say, “Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body,” that would not make it any less a part of the body. 16And if the ear should say, “Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body,” that would not make it any less a part of the body. 17If the whole body were an eye, where would the sense of hearing be? If the whole body were an ear, where would the sense of smell be?
18But in fact, God has arranged the members of the body, every one of them, according to His design. 19If they were all one part, where would the body be? 20As it is, there are many parts, but one body.
21The eye cannot say to the hand, “I do not need you.” Nor can the head say to the feet, “I do not need you.”
The weaker and less noticeable body parts are...
The weaker and less noticeable body parts are very important. They need special care and respect for the whole body to work well.
22On the contrary, the parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, 23and the parts we consider less honorable, we treat with greater honor. And our unpresentable parts are treated with special modesty, 24whereas our presentable parts have no such need.
But God has composed the body and has given greater honor to the parts that lacked it,
The church is a united group, so members...
The church is a united group, so members must live in harmony and care for one another.
25so that there should be no division in the body, but that its members should have mutual concern for one another. 26If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it.
The Greater Gifts
27Now you are the body of Christ, and each of you is a member of it.
Paul describes various roles assigned to individuals in...
Paul describes various roles assigned to individuals in the church (see also the list in 12:8–10; compare Romans 12:6–8; Ephesians 4:11).
28And in the church God has appointed first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then workers of miracles, and those with gifts of healing, helping, administration, and various tongues.
These rhetorical questions all expect the answer, "Of...
These rhetorical questions all expect the answer, "Of course not!" Paul gently corrects those who feel jealous of others. Believers should gratefully accept the gifts God has given them. They should not envy other gifts or consider any gifts more important than others (but see 12:31).
29Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles? 30Do all have gifts of healing? Do all speak in tongues? Do all interpret? 31But eagerly desire the greater gifts. And now I will show you the most excellent way.