Understanding Spiritual Gifts in 1 Corinthians 12

We continue in our series through 1 Corinthians. Chapter 12 can be read in its entirety here

Paul discusses Spiritual gifts, the source, the various gifts and how as the body of Christ each person plays a role and is valuable and important.

Discernment

Paul begins by reminding his readers to have discernment when it comes to Spiritual gifts, that we should not be ignorant. He speaks of the Corinthain’s past and how they might have been led astray to idols but now as believers they are to be aware of what is from the Spirit and what is not.

Source

1 Cor 12:4-6 ” There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone it is the same God at work.” As Paul talks about Spiritual gifts, each member of the trinity is mentioned. So, while we are looking at the work of the Holy Spirit here, the entire Godhead is involved. The gifts are derived by the Spirit, but only when Christ is Lord of our lives do we see them as tools for service and the ultimate power to exercise them is from God.

Purpose

Each member of the body of Christ has been given some spiritual gift that is evidence of the Spirit’s working in their lives. The gifts are meant to be used for the common good of the church, not for personal gain or division. All the gifts are intended for the edification of the church and for the glory of God.

Expression

 1 Cor 12:8-10 ” To one there is given through the Spirit a message of wisdom, to another a message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of tongues, and to still another the interpretation of tongues. All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he distributes them to each one, just as he determines. ”

He further emphasizes that these gifts are diverse, given to each one just as He determines. They are given; we are a vessel. We are not to force it but receive and nurture it with humility and submission to God.

Maximise Equality

Paul then uses the analogy of the human body. He says there is one body but many parts. Each part is essential, has a purpose and is interdependent, illustrating how the different gifts and ministries contribute to the unity and well-being of the church. There is no such thing as part of the body that is worthless or useless. One gifting should not be overemphasized over the other. Paul further talks about the seemingly weaker parts of the body that seem not as important on the surface. But what happens when one part malfunctions, there is disorder, pain and problems and so it is in Church. There is a tendency within the Christain community to give a lot of emphasis to gifts that are in the front and center and they garner a lot of attention and applause. Paul’s words here urge us to not overlook those that work in the quiet. A beautiful example I came across is how the lungs although not visible and is something that we do not think of on a regular basis is something that is so essential. Until it does not do its part, we do not think much about it. In reality we can survive without a hand or a foot but the hidden parts of the body, the weaker ones like the heart, lung etc are something we cannot do without. Keeping this in mind, Paul exhorts all believers to not elevate one gifting over the other, to have no division in the body, but to have equal concern and care for each other.

Minimise Self-Sufficiency

‘I do not need anybody else, I can do my Christian life on my own’. Yes, we can get all the information with online resources, books and even reading the bible and praying. But there is a limit to the amount of transformation that we receive by the accountability of being with other believers. Being with other believers encourage, challenge and teach us. It is where we often have to exercise all that we learn from the word and that doing and being is something that plays a vital part in our transformation.

This passage ends with Paul writing “Now eagerly desire the greater gifts.” Now you may think, did not Paul say not to overemphasize in value one gift over another. Paul is actually encouraging believers to not think of what gift one would like to have but instead keep in mind the purpose of spiritual gifts – which is to edify and build the Church. Therefore we are to seek gifts that are much needed in the community and environment we are in so that we can be best used for God’s purposes to further the Kingdom work.

God Bless.