1 Corinthians 12
7-16: Answers to Questions
7: Marriage
8-10: Christian Liberty
11: Conduct in the Church
12-14: Spiritual Gifts
15: The Resurrection of the Dead
16: Giving
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Chapter 12
1Now about spiritual gifts, brothers, I do not want you to be ignorant. – “Spiritual gifts’ (pneumatikos) is literally “spirituals, or spiritualities.” The word “gifts” or charis is not in the Greek.
2You know that when you were pagans, somehow or other you were influenced and led astray to mute idols – “Oprahality”
3Therefore I tell 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 – The Holy Spirit testifies of Jesus Cf. John 15:26; 16:14.
4There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit - “gifts” is charismata: A manifestation of grace.
5There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. 6There are different kinds of working, but the same God works all of them in all men - Service = diakonia= deacon); working is energemata = energy.
7Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. - The N.T. contains several lists of spiritual gifts, one of which is here (1 Corinthians 12:8-10, 28; Rom. 12:6-8; cf. 1 Pet. 4:11).
8 To one there is given through the Spirit the message of wisdom, to another the message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit – (1) Wisdom (sophia): The Message of wisdom. This is Divine wisdom, contrasted with human wisdom (1:17,20,25). One of the “Seven Spirits” of Isa 11:1,2. Fulfilled in Christ (Lk 2:52); given to Steven (Acts 6:10; cf. Acts 7); and Paul (Acts 28) and seems to be available to us all. James said: Does anyone lack wisdom? He should ask God (Jas 1:5). So, wisdom is the unique ability to speak forth the wisdom of God; doctrinal truth in important situations. Paul exercised and expressed this gift in this letter many times (e.g., 2:6). (2) Knowledge (gnosis): The message of knowledge refers to the ability to apply doctrinal truth to life. It is the unique ability to declare knowledge which could only be revealed supernaturally, as shown in Jesus (Matthew 17:24-27) or Paul (Acts 27:10, 23-26). Paul also exercised and expressed this gift in this letter (e.g., 12:1-3; 11:3). Over and over again Paul says: “Do you not know”. This is a special knowledge of spiritual realities (see 13:2, 8-12; 14:6) or knowledge given to teachers who are training others in Christian truth.
9 to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, – (3) The gift of Faith (pistis) is an unusual measure of trust in God beyond what’s normal for most Christians as Peter did when he walked out of the boat on onto the water (Matthew 14:22-33). Peter and John in opposing the Sanhedrin, preaching the gospel, healing the cripple (Acts 3:1-4:2). Paul’s call to Rome (Acts 23:11), his behavior during the storm on the Mediterranean Sea (Acts 27:23-26, 34). (4) Healings – (iama): is the ability to restore health (e.g., Acts 3:7; 19:12) and also to hold off death itself temporarily (Acts 9:40; 20:9-10). This not appear to be a permanent gift, but a sovereign manifestation of the Spirit. Even Paul’s own “thorn in the flesh” went unhealed (2 Cor 12:9). Also, Paul indirectly admits that he lacked the ability to heal either Epaphroditus (Phil 2:27), Timothy (1 Tim 5:23), or Trophimus (2 Tim 4:20). Yet, we should not cease asking (Heb 4:16; Jas 5:16).
10 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. – (5) Miraculous powers – dunamis – Literally its “energy for power”. More miracles took place during Jesus’ ministry than at any other time in Biblical history. Miracles were the distinctive mark of an apostle (2 Cor 12:12). They were also used to confirm the message of the gospel (Acts 6:8; 8:7; 13:6-12; Heb 2:4). This may also refer to exorcising demons (Acts 19:12) or inducing physical disability (Acts 13:11) or even death (Acts 5:5, 9). (6) Prophecy – (propheteia): Means not just foretelling, but “Forthtelling,” the Word of God. Sometimes it involved predictions (Agabus, Acts 11:28; 21:11) or to interpret God’s Will to the church (Eph 4:11). Prophetic utterances are always to be judged by Scripture (Acts17:11). God’s Word is always the standard. Prophesy is the ability, like that of the Old Testament prophets, to declare a message of God for His people but always in accordance to the scriptures (1 Cor. 14:3). (7) Ability to distinguish between spirits (pneuma): is the gift to differentiate the Word of God proclaimed by a true prophet from that of a satanic deceiver (cf. 2 Cor. 11:14-15; 1 John 4:1). If the Corinthians possessed this gift (cf. 1 Cor. 1:7), it was not being put to good use (cf. 12:1-3). Satan called an Angel of Light, (2 Cor 11:14) communicates false information and deceit, as with Eve (Gen 2:16-17; 3:1, 4-5). The prophet Micah revealed to the kings of Israel and Judah that a lying spirit spoke through the mouths of all the prophets of Israel (1 Kgs 22:21-23; 2 Chr 18:20-22). Jesus discerned the voice of Satan in Peter (Mt 16:23). Paul recognized Bar-Jesus as the son of the devil (Acts 13:10) and the fortunetelling of the slave girl (Acts 16:18). John instructed us to test the spirits (1 Jn 4:1-3). And in the end times, Satan and his cohorts will work miracles (2 Thess 2:9-10; Mt 24:24; Rev 13:11-14). There will also be an abundance of false teachers (Jude 4; 2 Pet 2:1-2; 1 Tim 4:1). (8) Tongues refers to the ability to speak an unlearned, living language (e.g., Acts 2:11) or a personal language of prayer given by God, whereby the believer can communicate with God beyond the limits of knowledge and understanding (1 Corinthians 14:14-15). The exercise of this gift also generated so many problems that an entire chapter (14) will be devoted to it. (9) Interpretation was the ability to translate an unlearned, known language or personal prayer language expressed in the assembly (1 Cor. 14:27). When tongues is interpreted, it is always a prayer to God, not God speaking to man (1 Cor.14:2).
11All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he gives them to each one, just as he determines - God determines! Are all the gifts of the Spirit for today? Cf. Acts 2:33,39.
29 Are 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? – Rhetorical
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