1 Corinthians 12:1-11: a reflection

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 writes to a church about spiritual gifts, and he emphasizes both their variety and their single source. 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. To one is given wisdom, to another knowledge, to another faith, to another healing, to another prophecy, and so on. All these different gifts come from the one Spirit, who distributes to each as he wills; and all are given, Paul says, for the common good.

Notice three things about spiritual gifts here. First, they are varied: different people are given different gifts, and the diversity is by God's design. Second, they come from one source: however varied, all are given by the same Spirit, who distributes them as he chooses. And third, they are given for the common good, not for the possessor's own benefit, but for the profit of all. The gifts differ, but the Spirit is one, and the purpose is the good of the whole.

That shapes how we regard our own gifts and others'. We may be tempted to envy the gifts others have, or to despise our own as unimportant; but all gifts come from the same Spirit, given as he chooses, and each is needed. And our gifts are given not for ourselves, to make much of us, but for the common good, to serve others. Do not envy the gifts of others, nor undervalue your own; the same Spirit gives them all, as he wills. And use the gift you have been given not for your own glory, but for the good of others, as it was given. Whatever gift the Spirit has given you, receive it gratefully, and use it for the common good, valuing the different gifts of others, for the one Spirit gives them all for the profit of all.

Lord, Paul teaches that there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit, and that to each is given a gift for the common good. Shape how I regard my own gifts and others'. I may be tempted to envy the gifts others have, or to despise my own as unimportant; but all gifts come from the same Spirit, given as he chooses, and each is needed. And my gifts are given not for myself, to make much of me, but for the common good, to serve others. Keep me from envying the gifts of others, or undervaluing my own; the same Spirit gives them all, as he wills. Help me use the gift you have given me not for my own glory, but for the good of others, as it was given. Whatever gift your Spirit has given me, help me receive it gratefully, and use it for the common good, valuing the different gifts of others, for the one Spirit gives them all for the profit of all. Let me serve others with what you have given me.