Scripture Daily

Context No. 1408 of 4322 · 1 Corinthians

Context · Reflection

1 Corinthians 12:1-11: in context

1Now concerning spiritual things, brothers, I don’t want you to be ignorant. 2You know that when you were heathen, you were led away to those mute idols, however you might be led. 3Therefore I make known to you that no man speaking by God’s Spirit says, “Jesus is accursed.” No one can say, “Jesus is Lord,” but by the Holy Spirit. 4Now there are various kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit. 5There are various kinds of service, and the same Lord. 6There are various kinds of workings, but the same God who works all things in all. 7But to each one is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the profit of all. 8For to one is given through the Spirit the word of wisdom, and to another the word of knowledge according to the same Spirit, 9to another faith by the same Spirit, and to another gifts of healings by the same Spirit, 10and to another workings of miracles, and to another prophecy, and to another discerning of spirits, to another different kinds of languages, and to another the interpretation of languages. 11But the one and the same Spirit produces all of these, distributing to each one separately as he desires.

Paul teaches about spiritual gifts. There are varieties of gifts, he says, but the same Spirit; varieties of service, but the same Lord; varieties of working, but the same God who works all in all. To each one is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. He lists a range of gifts, distributed among different people: to one wisdom, to another knowledge, to another faith, to others healing, miracles, prophecy, discernment, tongues, and their interpretation. And all of these, he says, are the work of one and the same Spirit, who apportions to each one individually as he wills.

Two truths shape Paul's teaching on gifts, and both correct common errors. The first is the purpose: to each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. The gifts are not given for private benefit or personal display, not to make the gifted person impressive, but for the profit of all, to build up and serve the whole body. A gift used to elevate oneself has missed its purpose entirely; it was given to help others. The second truth is the source and the sovereignty of the distribution: one and the same Spirit apportions to each as he wills. We do not choose our gifts, and no one gift makes its bearer superior; the same Spirit gives different gifts to different people according to his own wisdom, not our merit or preference. This corrects two temptations at once, the pride that thinks its gift makes it better, and the envy that wishes it had someone else's gift. Paul's answer to both is that every gift comes from the one Spirit, is given for the common good, and is distributed as the Spirit wills. Contentment with the gift given, gratitude that it is given for serving others, and freedom from both pride and envy, flow from remembering that it is all the one Spirit's doing, for the profit of all.

Do I use whatever gift I have been given for the common good, to serve and build up others, or for my own display, and can I be content with the gift the Spirit chose to give me, free of both the pride that thinks it makes me better and the envy that wants another's?

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