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1 CORINTHIANS 12

New Testament Studies
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PARAGRAPH DIVISIONS OF MODERN TRANSLATIONS

UBS4 NKJV NRSV TEV NJB
        Decorum in Public Worship
        (11:2-14:40)
Spiritual Gifts Spiritual Gifts: Unity in Diversity Variety of Spiritual Gifts Gifts from the Holy Spirit Spiritual Gifts
12:1-3 12:1-11 12:1-3 12:1 12:1-3
      12:2-3 The Variety and the Unity of Gifts
12:4-11   12:4-11 12:4-11 12:4-11
One Body with Many Members Unity and Diversity in One Body The Body Requires a Variety of Members One Body Many Parts The Analogy of the Body
12:12-31a 12:12-31 12:12-13 12:12-13 12:12-17
    12:14-26 12:14-20  
        12:18-21
      12:21-26  
        12:22-26
    12:27-31 12:27-31a  
        12:27-30
      12:31b  

READING CYCLE THREE (see
“Bible
Interpretation Seminar”)

FOLLOWING THE ORIGINAL AUTHOR’S INTENT AT PARAGRAPH LEVEL

This is a study guide commentary, which
means that you are responsible for your own interpretation of the Bible. Each of us must walk in the
light we have. You, the Bible, and the Holy Spirit are priority in interpretation. You must not
relinquish this to a commentator.

Read the chapter in one sitting. Identify the subjects (reading cycle #3). Compare
your subject divisions with the five translations above. Paragraphing is not inspired, but it is
the key to following the original author’s intent, which is the heart of interpretation. Every
paragraph has one and only one subject.

  1. First paragraph
  2. Second paragraph
  3. Third paragraph, etc.

CONTEXTUAL INSIGHTS TO 12:1-31

  1. Chapters 11-14 form one literary unit which deals with gathered worship. There were many problems in
    the Corinthian house churches. Paul addresses many of these issues, which apparently the church had
    written to him about (cf. 1 Cor. 7:1,25; 8:1; 12:1; 16:1,12). The issues related to gathered worship were:

    1. how to pray and prophesy
      1. man uncovered
      2. woman covered
    2. pride and abuse related to spiritual gifts
    3. how to implement gifts into worship
      1. tongue speakers and interpreters
      2. singers
      3. prophets
  2. There are three tests related to spiritual gifts.
    1. chapter 12 ‒ do they motivate Christocentric unity?
    2. chapter 13 ‒ do they motivate love?
    3. chapter 14 ‒ do they build the body?
  3. There are several lists of spiritual gifts in the NT (cf. Rom. 12; 1 Cor. 12-14;
    Eph. 4:11; and 1 Pet. 4:10-11). The lists are not the same, nor is the order of
    gifts the same. They are representative samples, not definitive lists. Some of the
    gifts function in gathered worship, but others focus outside corporate worship meetings.

     The emphasis which Paul places on spiritual giftedness is surprising, but
    he says little about how one finds or identifies his/her gift. I am reluctant to affirm
    many of the “spiritual tests” that have been developed in our day. They test only for
    the gifts listed in the NT. Many of the gifts listed are not clearly defined (i.e.,
    the gifts of leadership in Eph. 4:11). The most helpful guide I have found in this
    area is the IVP booklet entitled Affirming the Will of God by Paul Little. The
    same Christian wisdom that helps us find God’s will also helps us identify our
    effective gift for ministry.

    1. pray specifically
    2. ask mature Christians who know you what strengths they see in you
    3. look for open doors of opportunity to try different areas
    4. follow the desires of your heart

WORD AND PHRASE STUDY

÷1 CORINTHIANS 12:1-3

NASB (UPDATED) TEXT: 1 CORINTHIANS 12:1-3
 1Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I do not want you to be unaware. 2 You know that when you were pagans, you were led astray to the mute idols, however you were led. 3Therefore I make known to you that no one speaking by the Spirit of God says, “Jesus is accursed”; and no one can say, “Jesus is Lord,” except by the Holy Spirit.

12:1 “Now concerning” This is a recurring phrase in 1 Corinthians that shows Paul is answering specific
questions from the church (cf. 1 Cor. 7:1,25; 8:1; 12:1; 16:1,12).

NASB, NKJV, Peshitta   ”spiritual gifts“
NRSV (footnote)   ”spiritual person”
TEV   ”the gifts from the Holy Spirit”
NJB, REB   ”gifts of the Spirit”

The Greek term is a GENITIVE PLURAL of pneuma. This can refer to
persons, gifts, or spiritualities (i.e., spiritual matters, cf. 1 Cor. 14:1).

Special Topic: Spirit in the Bible

▣ “brethren” Paul often uses “brethren” to signal a change of subjects. This first verse has three
of Paul’s contextual markers of a subject change:

  1. “now concerning”
  2. “brethren”
  3. “I do not want you to be unaware”

Chapters 11-14 deal with different aspects of gathered worship.

The messages that Paul sent to Corinth were so difficult that he often used “brethren”
to remind them of their unity in God’s family (cf. 1 Cor. 1:10,11,26; 2:1; 3:1; 4:6; 6:5,8; 7:24,29;
5:12; 9:5; 10:1; 11:2,33; 12:1; 14:6,20,26,39; 15:1,6,50,58; 16:11,12,15,20; 2 Cor. 1:8; 8:1,23; 9:3,5; 11:9; 13:11).

▣ “I do not want you to be unaware” This is a recurrent phrase in Paul’s writings (cf. Rom. 1:13;
11:25; 1 Cor. 10:1; 11:3; 12:1; 2 Cor. 1:8; 1 Thess. 4:13). It was one of his ways of introducing a significant new topic.

12:2 “you were pagans” This is an IMPERFECT INDICATIVE. These believers were once pagans,
but now they must shed this mindset and related activity. The church at Corinth was deeply influenced by

  1. pagan worship practices
  2. Roman culture

Both were coloring the gospel in inappropriate ways.

NASB   ”you were led astray”
NKJV   ”carried away. . .however you were led”
NRSV   ”you were enticed and led astray”
TEV   ”you were led astray in many ways”
NJB   ”you were irresistibly drawn”

This phrase has two related verbals from the root “to lead.” The first is a PERIPHRASTIC
IMPERFECTIVE PASSIVE INDICATIVE and the second is a PRESENT PASSIVE PARTICIPLE, “you were and continue to be led.”

The second term is also intensified by the PREPOSITION apo, which implies
“to lead as a prisoner” (cf. Mark 14:44; 15:16). These former pagans had been continuously controlled by the
demonic in their worship practices (cf. 1 Cor. 10:20) before their conversion.

▣ “to mute idols” This refers to gods who could not speak or help (cf. Isa. 46:5-7; Jer. 10:5;
Hab. 2:18-19) in contrast to the Holy Spirit.

12:3 “no one speaking by the Spirit of God” This is a Hebrew idiom for inspiration (cf. 1 Sam. 10:10;
19:23-24). This reminds believers that not everyone who claims to speak for God does so. Every believer
must evaluate those who claim to speak God’s message (cf. 1 Cor. 12:10; Deut. 18:20-22; Matthew 7; 1 John 4:1-3).

Special Topic: Speaking In Tongues

NASB   ”Jesus is accursed”
NKJV   ”calls Jesus accursed”
NRSV   ”Let Jesus be accursed”
TEV, NJB   ”a curse on Jesus”

This is a shocking statement. Why would anyone (except traditional Jews) who claims to
speak for God say this? The term (i.e., anathema) itself had an OT background (i.e., Hebrew, herem).
It related to the concept of Holy War, where a city was devoted to God and, therefore, it became holy. This
meant that everything in it that breathed, human or animal, had to die (cf. Josh. 6:17; 7:12).

The theories of how this term was used in Corinth are

  1. that it has a Jewish setting relating to the synagogue oaths (cf. Acts 26:11, i.e., later,
    rabbinical curse formulas [“THE EIGHTEEN BENEDICTIONS”] were used to remove Christians from the synagogue). To remain a
    member one had to reject or curse Jesus of Nazareth.
  2. that it has a Roman setting relating to Emperor worship where only Caesar could be called “Lord.”
  3. that it has a pagan worship setting where the curses were called on people by the use of a god’s
    name. This could then be translated, “May Jesus curse ______” (cf. 1 Cor. 16:22).
  4. that someone related the phrase to the theological concept of Jesus bearing the OT curse for us
    (cf. Deut. 21:23; Gal. 3:13).
  5. Recent studies from Corinth (cf. footnote #1 p. 164 in Bruce Winter’s After Paul Left Corinth)
    document the curse tablets found on the ancient acropolis at Corinth. Biblical scholars have assumed
    that a linking VERB “is” should be provided in the phrase, “Jesus is accursed,” but
    this archaeological evidence clearly shows that these first century Roman period curses from Corinth
    lack the VERB (as do some of the curses in the LXX of Deut. 22:15-20), as does 1 Cor. 12:3.
    There is further archaeological evidence that Christians in first century Roman Corinth used curse
    formulas in burial curses (i.e., Byzantine period), found on Christian graves (J. H. Kent,
    The Inscriptions, 1926-50. Princeton: American School of Classical Studies, 1966, vol. 8:3, no. 644).

Some segments of the church were reverting to pagan curses in Jesus’ name against other members of the church.
Not only is the method a problem, but also the hateful motive. This is another example of the tension within this church.
Paul wants them to build up the church, edify the church. They want to curse part of the church!

Special Topic: Curse (anathema)

▣ “Jesus is Lord” This was the early church’s confession of faith (cf. both Rom. 10:9-13 and Acts 2:21
quote Joel 2:33; also note Phil. 2:11). It was a way of affirming Jesus’ deity and Messiahship. It may have been the
early church’s baptism confession.

Special Topic: Christ Jesus As Lord

▣ “except by the Holy Spirit” The Holy Spirit’s task is to convict the world of sin and draw people to Christ
(cf. John 16:8-14). No fallen humans can turn to God or Christ unaided (cf. John 6:44,65). This is the mystery of a
sovereign God who loves all humanity made in His image yet His covenant mandate is that they must respond
(and continue to respond) in repentance, faith, obedience, service, and perseverance!

÷1 CORINTHIANS 12:4-11

NASB (UPDATED) TEXT: 1 CORINTHIANS 12:4-11
 4Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit. 5And there are varieties of ministries, and the same Lord. 6There are varieties of effects, but the same God who works all things in all persons. 7But to each one is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. 8For to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, and to another the word of knowledge according to the same Spirit; 9 to another faith by the same Spirit, and to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit, 10and to another the effecting of miracles, and to another prophecy, and to another the distinguishing of spirits, to another various kinds of tongues, and to another the interpretation of tongues. 11But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually just as He wills.

12:4, 5, 6
NASB, NRSV, REB   ”varieties”
NKJV, Peshitta   ”diversities”
TEV   ”different kinds”
NJB   ”different”

This term means (1) to distribute or (2) variety (cf. 1 Cor. 12:4,5,6). There is an
obvious literary parallel between 1 Cor. 12:4,5, and 6, which unites the work of all three persons of
the Trinity.

12:4-6 “Spirit. . .Lord. . .God” Note the action of the Trinity which emphasizes unity amidst diversity,
not uniformity. The church is a group of gifted individuals. We need each other! Each one is important. Each
one is gifted for ministry. The term “Trinity” is not a biblical term, but the concept is.

Special Topic: The Trinity

12:4 “gifts” This is a different word than the one used in 1 Cor. 12:1. This is the Greek term charisma.
This is from the root term “chairō,” which means to rejoice, or be full of joy (cf. 1 Cor. 7:30; 13:6;
2 Cor. 2:3; 6:10; 7:7,9,16 and the compound with sun in 1 Cor. 12:26 and 13:6). From this develops several concepts.

  1. chara ‒ joy, rejoicing
  2. charis ‒ generous gift (cf. 1 Cor. 16:3; 2 Cor. 8:4,6)
    1. grace (cf. 1 Cor. 1:4; 15:10)
    2. thanks (cf. 1 Cor. 15:57)
  3. charizomai
    1. give generously
    2. forgive (cf. 2 Cor. 2:7-10; 12:13)
    3. cancel a debt
  4. charisma ‒ a free gift (cf. Rom. 5:15,16; 6:23; 2 Cor. 1:11) or divinely conferred
    adornment (cf. 1 Cor. 12:4,9,28,30,31)

God has freely gifted His church. The gifts are for building up and growing the body of Christ. In reality
they are the work of Christ divided among His followers. Believers must unite their giftedness with love and cooperate
with each other so that the church may win and disciple a lost world (cf. Matt. 28:19-20; Luke 24:47; Acts 1:8).

12:5 “ministries” This is the Greek term diakonos. It has several uses in the NT.

  1. diakonos
    1. a servant (cf. Matt. 20:28; 22:13; 23:11; John 2:5)
    2. a minister/preacher (cf. 1 Cor. 3:5; 2 Cor. 3:6; 6:4; 11:15[twice],23)
  2. diakoneō
    1. to serve (cf. 1 Pet. 4:11)
    2. deacon (cf. Rom. 16:1; 1 Tim. 3:8,10,13; also note Phil. 1:1)
    3. administer (cf. Acts 6:2; 2 Cor. 3:3; 8:19,20)
  3. diakonia
    1. rendering aid (cf. Acts 6:1; 2 Cor. 8:4; 9:1,12,13)
    2. ministry for the gospel (cf. 1 Cor. 12:5; 16:15; 2 Cor. 4:1; 5:8; 6:3; 11:8)
    3. a revelation from God (cf. 2 Cor. 3:7,8,9)

The key idea is serving and helping others in need (i.e., spiritual or physical). God equips His church to
serve; serve themselves and serve a lost and needy world.

12:6
NASB   ”effects. . .works”
NKJV   ”activities. . .works”
NRSV   ”activities. . .activates”
TEV   ”abilities. . .ability”
NJB   ”activity. . .work”

This is a play on the term energēs from which we get the English term energy. Its
basic meaning is to effectively accomplish a task. This sentence has the NOUN and the matching
PARTICIPLE (PRESENT ACTIVE). Paul used this term often in his Corinthian letters.

  1. energēs, energeia, energeō, energēma, 1 Cor. 4:12; 9:6;
    12:6,10,11; 16:9,10; 2 Cor. 1:6; 4:12
  2. ergon and sunergeō, 1 Cor. 3:13,14,15; 9:1; 15:58; 16:10; 2 Cor. 6:1; 9:8; 11:15

God’s work is effective work. It accomplishes its purpose. Believers are called to active service, but
the energy and effectiveness is of God.

12:7
NASB  ”But to each one is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good”
NKJV  ”But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all“
NRSV  ”To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good”
TEV  ”The Spirit’s presence is shown in some way in each person for the good of all”
NJB  ”The particular manifestation of the Spirit granted to each one is to be used for the general good”

This truth is so important for the life and ministry of the church.

  1. Every believer has a freely-given grace gift given by the Spirit for ministry at salvation.
    1. Every believer is important.
    2. Every believer is gifted.
    3. Every believer is a minister.
  2. The purpose of God’s gift is not the elevation of the individual, but for the health and
    growth of the whole body. We need each other!

This truth was desperately needed by the factious, arrogant, assertive believers at Corinth (and in every age).

The “common good” or “profit” (sumpheron, cf. 1 Cor. 6:12; 7:35; 10:33; 2 Cor. 8:10) is
for the body and not the individual. Believers must take personal responsibility to maintain the unity of the
Spirit in the bond of peace (cf. Eph. 4:2-3). This is so radically different from western individualism.

Special Topic: Christianity Is Corporate

12:8
NASB, NKJV   ”word of wisdom. . .the word of knowledge”
NRSV   ”the utterance of wisdom. . .the utterance of knowledge”
TEV   ”a message full of wisdom. . .a message full of knowledge”
NJB   ”the gift of utterance expressing wisdom. . .the gift of utterance expressing knowledge”

These are two different Greek terms, “wisdom” (i.e., sophia) and “knowledge”
(i.e., gnōsis). They reflect the Hebrew distinction between “wisdom” and “knowledge.” The
first is practical and the second, more academic. The first relates to living the Christian life and
the second to a proper explanation of Christian doctrine.

12:9 “faith” This refers not to saving faith like Mark 1:15; John 1:12, because the gifts are only
given to believers, but to miracle working faith, which is made clear from 1 Cor. 13:2 (cf. Matt. 17:20; 21:21).

▣ “healing” This term (iaomai) is PLURAL (cf. 2 Cor. 12:7-9,28,30), which is
literally “gifts of cures.” Healing is a gift from the Spirit in this context and a ministry of the “elders”
in James 5:14. Physical healing was/is an evidence of the love and care of God and a sign of spiritual healing
(i.e., forgiveness of sins, salvation). For the Jews there was a connection between sin and sickness, righteousness
and health (cf. Deuteronomy 27-28). However, Job and Psalm 73 clarify the issue as does John 9. The mystery is why
some are healed and some are not. One’s faith cannot be the key ingredient, but God’s will. It is never how much
faith we exercise, but the object of our faith (faith the size of a mustard seed moves mountains, cf. Matt. 17:20).

Thank God for healing, healers, and caring churches!

Special Topic: Healing

12:10 “the effecting of miracles” This seems to be parallel to 1 Cor. 12:9a (i.e., miracle-working faith). Since
this is a list, they cannot be completely synonymous. The exact distinction is uncertain.

▣ “prophecy” There are at least two ways to understand this term: (1) in the Corinthian letters this refers
to sharing or proclaiming the gospel (cf. 1 Cor. 14:1), (2) the book of Acts mentions prophets (cf. Acts 11:27-28; 13:1;
15:32; 21:10, even prophetesses, 21:9).

The problem with this term is, how does the NT gift of prophecy relate to OT prophets? In the OT
prophets are the writers of Scripture. In the NT this task is given to the original twelve Apostles and their
helpers. As the term “apostle” is retained as an ongoing gift (cf. Eph. 4:11), but with a changed task after
the death of the Twelve, so too, the office of prophet. Inspiration has ceased, there is no further inspired
Scripture (cf. Jude 1:20). New Testament prophets’ primary task is proclamation of the gospel, but also a different
task, possibly how to apply NT truths to current situations and needs.

Special Topic: Prophecy (NT)

Special Topic: Prophecy (OT)

NASB  ”distinguishing of spirits”
NKJV  ”discerning of spirits”
NRSV  ”discernment of spirits”
TEV  ”the ability to tell the difference between gifts that come from the Spirit and those that do not”
NJB  ”the power of distinguishing spirits”

There are three sources of human giftedness:

  1. by nature (i.e., natural talents)
  2. by the Spirit
  3. by the devil

This gift is the ability to differentiate among these sources (cf. 1 Tim. 4:1; 1 John 4:1-3).

Special Topic: Spirit in the NT

▣ “various kinds of tongues” This is the Greek term for “tongue” (i.e., glōssa). It
was used in the OT as a synonym for “nation.” In Greek it was used for speaking the language of a nation. This
would imply that it had the connotation of a known human language. However, the need for an interpreter, which
also is a spiritual gift, instead of a translator, along with Paul’s fuller discussion in chapter 14, leads one
to think this was an ecstatic utterance at Corinth.

Exactly how the “tongues” of Corinth are related to the tongues at Pentecost recorded in Acts is
uncertain. The miracle in Acts 2 is of the ear (cf. 1 Cor. 2:6,8,11), not the tongue. The tongues experiences of
Acts communicated the gospel directly to the Jews of the Diaspora who were present. It also functioned as a way
to recognize the presence, power, and will of God for the inclusion of other groups, like the Samaritan (cf. Acts 8)
and Cornelius, a Roman army officer (cf. Acts 10). The tongues in Acts were a sign to the believing Jews that God
had opened the door for Gentiles to be included (cf. 1 Cor. 15:8). Notice no need for
an interpreter in Acts!

Tongues at Corinth are similar to the ecstatic speech of the Greek religions (e.g., Delphi). Corinthian
tongues were apparently being misused or over-glorified (cf. 1 Cor. 13:1 and 14:1-33).

Tongues were a way for an individual believer to intimately commune with God, but without understanding.
It is a valid gift (cf. 1 Cor. 14:39), but it is not for all believers (cf. 1 Cor. 12:29-30, which has a series of
questions that expect a “no” answer). It is not a gift that proves one is saved or shows one is a spiritual person.
Tongues plus interpretation was another means of communicating the gospel and its relevance.

Special Topic: Speaking in Tongues

▣ “interpretation of tongues” Corinth was a cosmopolitan city, Roman in culture, Greek in geography.
The city’s location combined with the danger of sailing around the cape of Greece in the winter combined to make
it a commercial crossroads of the eastern empire and the western empire. Every nationality would be in Corinth,
but tongues needed a spiritual gift to communicate its message for the church, not just a translator. Tongues
in Corinth was not a known language.

12:11 This verse emphasizes the truth that the Spirit gives to each believer a ministry gift (cf. 1 Cor. 12:7,18).
Also, which gift is the Spirit’s choice, not the believer’s. There is no hierarchy of gifts. All the gifts are to
serve the body of Christ, the church (cf. 1 Cor. 12:7). They are not merit badges, but servant towels.

Special Topic: The Personhood of the Spirit

÷1 CORINTHIANS 12:12-13

NASB (UPDATED) TEXT: 1 CORINTHIANS 12:12-13
  12For even as the body is one and yet has many members, and all the members of the body, though they are many, are one body, so also is Christ. 13For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free, and we were all made to drink of one Spirit.

12:12 This starts a new paragraph that uses the inter-relationships of the human body as imagery
for the church (cf. Eph. 4:4,16). It emphasizes unity amidst diversity. The focus is not on any part, but
on the functioning whole; not the individual, but the family.

The OT and NT have a corporate emphasis (see Special Topic at 1 Cor. 12:7). This is not meant
to depreciate the fact that people become Christians on an individual basis, but that once one is a Christian,
the focus is always the health, unity, and well-being of the whole!

12:13 “by one Spirit” This PREPOSITION (en) can mean “in,” “with,” or “by means of.”
Be careful of using Koine Greek PREPOSITIONS to make doctrinal affirmations. This is parallel to Eph. 2:18; 4:4.

The Spirit is the means by which God convicts people of sin, draws them to Christ, baptizes them
into Christ, and forms Christ in them (cf. John 16:8-14). This is the age of the Spirit. His activity is the sign
that the new age of righteousness has come. The gift is the Spirit and the Spirit gives gifts which reflect His task
of revealing Christ, drawing the lost to Christ, and forming Christlikeness in believers.

▣ “were all baptized into one body” Water baptism is imagery of a previous spiritual experience that
occurred at conversion (cf. Eph. 4:5). In several ways Eph. 4:4-6 parallels this passage. This baptism refers to
initial salvation, which incorporates believers into the body of Christ, the Church. The often-used contemporary
phrase “the baptism of the Holy Spirit” is confusing because biblically it refers to one trusting Christ as savior,
but it is used today of an empowering, yielding, later experience in the lives of believers. I do not deny the
reality of this subsequent experience, but I prefer the term “Lordship experience.” In reading the biographies of
great Christians a pattern emerges:

  1. trusting Christ
  2. trying to serve Him
  3. failing to produce lasting fruit
  4. frustration at personal efforts
  5. yielding to the need for God to do His own work
  6. empowering for ministry
  7. all glory to God, not the human vessel

Special Topic: Baptism of the Spirit

▣ “whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free” There are no more worldly human distinctions and
barriers between those who trust Christ (cf. Joel 2:28 quoted by Peter in Acts 2:14-36; Gal. 3:27-28; Col. 3:11).
This truth surely asserts the equality of all human believers. However, it does not necessarily remove all distinctions.
All believers are called, gifted servants, but a Christian may still be a slave.

This equality would have been shocking to Roman society in Corinth, where the man was the
supreme authority over

  1. his wife
  2. his children
  3. his domestic slaves

There was a rigid social hierarchy. Paul’s radical theology, based on Jesus’ teachings and actions,
was a drastic paradigm shift and shocking new worldview which had to be lived out in the fellowship of the
church (cf. Eph. 5:18-6:9). It is specifically in this area that the church at Corinth was deviant.

▣ “we were all made to drink of one spirit” This term was used of irrigating water. It literally
meant “saturated.” This was interpreted as referring to the Lord’s Supper by Augustine, Luther, and Calvin,
but because of John 7:37-39 it may refer to the Spirit. It is a metaphor of unity and community brought
about by one agent, the Spirit.

Both “baptized” and “made to drink” are AORIST PASSIVE INDICATIVES, which imply
a finished work in past time. The tense and parallelism show they do not refer to Christian water baptism
and the Lord’s Supper, but one past complete event (i.e., conversion by the Spirit, i.e., the PASSIVE VOICE,
or by Christ, cf. Matt. 3:11; Luke 3:16; Acts 1:5, or by the Father, cf. Acts 2:33).

÷1 CORINTHIANS 12:14-18

NASB (UPDATED) TEXT: 1 CORINTHIANS 12:14-18
  14For the body is not one member, but many. 15If the foot says, “Because I am not a hand, I am not a part of the body,” it is not for this reason any the less a part of the body. 16And if the ear says, “Because I am not an eye, I am not a part of the body,” it is not for this reason any the less a part of the body. 17If the whole body were an eye, where would the hearing be? If the whole were hearing, where would the sense of smell be? 18But now God has placed the members, each one of them, in the body, just as He desired.

12:14-26 Paul uses the physical body as an analogy to show the mutual relationship between the individual
parts of the body necessary for the functioning of the whole. Each individual part is needed for the health and
effectiveness of the whole.

12:14 This is the summary truth repeated several times in this chapter (cf. 1 Cor. 12:12,13,14,20,25,27).

12:15-16 “If. . .if” These are both THIRD CLASS CONDITIONAL SENTENCES which denote
potential action. These verses show the tension that existed between not only the factious groups, but
their over-evaluation of certain spiritual gifts. All gifts are from God and He chooses which one for
each believer (cf. 1 Cor. 12:11,18).

12:17,19 “If. . .if” These are incomplete SECOND CLASS CONDITIONAL SENTENCES (i.e., no VERB
in 1 Cor. 12:17 and no concluding clause in all three). The first part is false (i.e., the whole body is not an eye,
1 Cor. 12:17; the whole body is not an ear, v, 17; and the whole body is not one member, 1 Cor. 12:19,
cf. A. T. Robertson, A Grammar of the Greek New Testament In Light of Historical Research, pp. 1015,1023
and Short Grammar of the Greek New Testament, p. 166).

12:18 “God has placed” This is an aorist middle indicative, which implies a complete and
personal action. In 1 Cor. 12:11 the Spirit is said to distribute the gifts. This is an obvious identification
of the Spirit as divine!

▣ “God has placed the members, each one of them, in the body, just as He desired” The reference is to
creation but the analogy is to spiritual gifts (cf. 1 Cor. 12:27). We don’t choose; God places.

÷1 CORINTHIANS 12:19-25

NASB (UPDATED) TEXT: 1 CORINTHIANS 12:19-25
 19If they were all one member, where would the body be? 20But now there are many members, but one body. 21And the eye cannot say to the hand, “I have no need of you”; or again the head to the feet, “I have no need of you.” 22On the contrary, it is much truer that the members of the body which seem to be weaker are necessary; 23and those members of the body which we deem less honorable, on these we bestow more abundant honor, and our less presentable members become much more presentable, 24 whereas our more presentable members have no need of it. But God has so composed the body, giving more abundant honor to that member which lacked, 25so that there may be no division in the body, but that the members may have the same care for one another.

12:22-24 “weaker. . .less honorable. . .less presentable. . .that member which lacked” This may refer
to those parts of the human body which are covered by clothing. This discussion reveals that some of the less
obvious, less culturally desired, less “showy” gifts were still necessary for a healthy, happy body. God/Spirit
gave the gifts, all gifts are needed, all gifts have honor.

▣ “abundant honor” This term is in both 1 Cor. 12:23 and 24. See Special Topic at 2 Cor. 2:7.

12:25 This verse expresses Paul’s main point (i.e., a hina clause, purpose clause). The church
is to be one, not divided. Believers are to care for one another (cf. 1 Cor. 12:7), not do their own thing!

The VERBS are SUBJUNCTIVE which introduces a contingency. This
is what they should do, but there is some doubt about their doing it.

The term “care” usually means anxiety or worry (cf. Matt. 6:25,27; 10:19; 13:22; 2 Cor. 11:28;
Phil. 4:6). It can also express legitimate concern, as in this text and 1 Cor. 7:32,33,34 and Phil. 2:20.

▣ “divisions” This is the Greek term schisma, from which we get the English term schism
and schismatic. Paul has mentioned these “divisions” before (cf. 1 Cor. 1:10; 11:18). They are the basic
problem in Corinth. The divisions were related to

  1. certain leaders
  2. certain theological emphases
  3. Roman social standing
  4. magnification of certain gifts
  5. residue of a pagan mind set

÷1 CORINTHIANS 12:26

NASB (UPDATED) TEXT: 1 CORINTHIANS 12:26
  26And if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; if one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it.

 12:26 “if. . .if” These are FIRST CLASS CONDITIONAL SENTENCES (eite with
PRESENT INDICATIVE, cf. 2 Cor. 1:6; with no VERB, cf. Rom. 12:6-8; 1 Cor. 3:22; 8:5;
14:27; 2 Cor. 5:10) which express Paul’s desire as to how believers should treat each other (cf. Rom. 12:15).

÷1 CORINTHIANS 12:27-31

NASB (UPDATED) TEXT: 1 CORINTHIANS 12:27-31a
  27Now you are Christ’s body, and individually members of it. 28And God has appointed in the church, first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, administrations, various kinds of tongues. 29All are not apostles, are they? All are not prophets, are they? All are not teachers, are they? All are not workers of miracles, are they? 30All do not have gifts of healings, do they? All do not speak with tongues, do they? All do not interpret, do they? 31But earnestly desire the greater gifts.

12:28 “God has appointed” This is an AORIST MIDDLE INDICATIVE. This is theologically parallel to 1 Cor. 12:18.

▣ “church” See
Special Topic: Church (ekklēsia)

▣ “apostles” The Greek term is from one of the Greek VERBS “to send.” It was used by the
rabbis for someone sent as an official representative of another. In the Gospel of John it takes on the implication
of Jesus the Messiah who was sent by God. The Sent One sends His followers (cf. John 20:21). See
Special Topic: Send.

Originally this referred to the Twelve, but later it was used of others:

  1. Barnabas (cf. Acts 14:4,14)
  2. Andronicus and Junia (cf. Rom. 16:7)
  3. Apollos (cf. 1 Cor. 4:9)
  4. James the half brother of Jesus (cf. Gal. 1:19)
  5. Epaphroditus (cf. Phil. 2:25
  6. Silas and Timothy (cf. 1 Thess. 2:6)

The gift is mentioned in Eph. 4:11 as an ongoing gift.

▣ “prophets” See
Special Topic: Prophecy (NT) and
Special Topic: Prophecy (OT)

▣ “teachers” This gift is mentioned in Acts 13:1 in combination with prophecy, but in Eph. 4:11
it is linked with pastors. In 2 Tim. 1:11 Paul says he is a preacher, apostle, and a teacher. Here it seems
to stand independent as it does in Rom. 12:7. It is also discussed separately in James 3:1ff. This implies
that these leadership gifts can be combined in different ways in different believers to meet the need of
the church in that day or area. Each of these gifted leaders proclaimed the same gospel, but with different emphases.

▣ “miracles” Notice in 1 Cor. 12:9 and 10 this gift is mentioned twice, here but once. Miracles
were a way to confirm the gospel. They are prominent in the Gospels and Acts and mentioned in the Apostolic
letters. They are still common in areas where the gospel is new.

▣ “healings” This gift functions both to reveal the love of God and confirm the gospel. The question
is not does God still heal, but why some and not others? James 5:13-18 give further guidelines about how this
should be dealt with in a local church. In James it is a ministry of the local elders, not a spiritual gift.

Special Topic: Healing

NASB, NKJV   ”helps”
NRSV   ”forms of assistance”
TEV   ”power to. . .help others”
NJB   ”helpful acts”

This term is used of “helpful deeds.” It is a general term and may refer to the
regular ministry of deacons (cf. Phil. 1:1 and M. R. Vincent, Word Studies, vol. 2, p. 793).

Special Topic: Deacons

NASB, NKJV   ”administrations”
NRSV   ”forms of leadership”
TEV   ”those who are given the power. . .to direct them”
NJB   ”the gifts of. . .guidance”

This term was originally used of a ship’s pilot (cf. Acts 27:11; Rev. 18:17). It was used
metaphorically for church leaders who function as guides. This is the ability to lead others to accomplish
spiritual tasks.

A. T. Robertson, Word Pictures In Greek New Testament, vol. 4, says that “helps”
refers to the work of deacons helping the poor and sick and that “administrations” refers to the work of
bishops/elders/pastors, pp. 173-174.

▣ “various kinds of tongues” See note at 1 Cor. 12:10.

Special Topic: Speaking in Tongues

12:29-30 This series of questions all begin with a NEGATIVE PARTICLE
(i.e., mē), which denotes that the questions expect a “no” answer. This is an important passage
in refuting the theological overstatement that “tongues” is a gift for every believer, a sort of confirming
sign of salvation and/or a special mark of true spirituality. It is a valid gift, but not for everyone. The
other extreme is to reject “tongues” as passing away in the Apostolic era. This is also a theological
overstatement (cf. 1 Cor. 14:39).

The whole point of this chapter is that there is one body, but many parts. No one part
(i.e., gift) is pre-imminent.

12:31a
NASB, NIV   ”But earnestly desire the greater gifts”
NKJV   ”But earnestly desire the best gifts”
NRSV   ”But strive for the greater gifts”
TEV   ”Set your hearts, then, on the more important gifts”
NJB   ”Set your mind on the higher gifts”

This is either

  1. a PRESENT ACTIVE INDICATIVE (i.e., a statement of fact)
  2. PRESENT ACTIVE IMPERATIVE (i.e., a continuing command)

W. Randolph Tate, Biblical Interpretation, prefers the INDICATIVE, “you are
striving for the better gifts,” as another of Paul’s sarcastic comments (p. 22).

The second part of this verse should go with chapter 13. The greater gifts would refer to

  1. faith, hope, and love of 1 Cor. 13:13, with love being greatest
  2. the gifts which edify the whole body, 1 Cor. 14:1ff, which would be preaching and teaching (cf. 1 Cor. 12:28)

This admonition seems to refer to the church as a whole, not the individual. Focusing on the
individual is a common western predisposition. The focus of this chapter is corporate. The church should
ask the Spirit for more of His giftedness (i.e., believers) that proclaims the gospel and builds up the body.

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

This is a study guide commentary, which means that you are
responsible for your own interpretation of the Bible. Each of us must walk in the light we have. You,
the Bible, and the Holy Spirit are priority in interpretation. You must not relinquish this to a commentator.

These discussion questions are provided to help you think through the major issues of this
section of the book. They are meant to be thought-provoking, not definitive.

  1. Why was there such a problem over spiritual gifts at Corinth?
  2. When does the believer receive his/her spiritual gift? Does everyone have one?

    Can one have more than one spiritual gift? Can one ever choose his/her gift?

  3. What is the purpose of spiritual gifts?

SOME PRACTICAL GUIDELINES FOR HOW BELIEVERS CAN KNOW THEIR GIFTS

  1. Ask God specifically to show you.
  2. Ask other mature believers who know you what they think your gift might be.
  3. Explore your natural desires.
  4. Move in the direction of the best light you have and your desire.
  5. Give it a try and look for personal contentment and spiritual fruit.

These are taken from a wonderful booklet by Paul Little, Affirming the Will of God,
published by IVP. It gives Christian wisdom, not Scripture, on how to know God’s will, which is analogous
to how to know one’s spiritual gift.

However, believers need to remember that the lists of gifts are not the same. Being able
to name our gift is not as important as recognizing that we have one. Believers, all believers, are called
and gifted to ministry (cf. Eph. 4:11-12).

Copyright © 2014 Bible Lessons International

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