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Chapter
12 |
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Verse
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12:1
- Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I do not want you
to be ignorant:
The subject changes abruptly to that of gifts. The word "spiritual"
is plural in the Greek and "gifts" is in italics. This
is a clear case for the "added" word being proper; the
following verses will prove such to be so.
12:2
- You know that you were Gentiles, carried away to these dumb
idols, however you were lead.
Their past was entrenched in idols, and as Gentiles, that was
rather common in their day.
12:3
- Therefore I make known to you that no one speaking by the Spirit
of God calls Jesus accursed, and no one can say that Jesus is Lord
except by the Holy Spirit.
Each believer is to be filled with the Holy Spirit so that all spiritual
exercise is under the Spirit’s control. When this is so, no
one will call Jesus accursed (perhaps some in that day were doing
so). It is equally true that no one can say "Lord Jesus"
unless he or she is in (Greek word EN) the sphere of the
Spirit’s control.
12:4
- There are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit.
In these verses (4-6) we see the triune God involved in this rich
subject. The Holy Spirit, who is the giver of these gifts, gives
a diversity of gifts. Such is fitting because of a variety of need
in the body of Christ
12:5
- There are differences of ministries, but the same Lord.
"Differences" translates the same Greek word as "diversities"
in verses 4 and 6. "Ministries" (administrations in the
KJV) translates the Greek word for "deacon" and "service"
in their varied noun and verb forms. All service is to be "unto
the Lord". See Eph. 5:19 and Col. 3:23.
12:6
- And there are diversities of activities, but it is the same
God who works all in all.
Diversities of activities tells us that there are varied energies,
but only one God who energizes all in all. The Greek word for "activities"
(operations in the KJV) is used only one other time. It is found
in verse 10 of this chapter translated "working".
12:7
- But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for
the profit of all.
An “outward evidencing” of the Spirit to each one in the
body of Christ is obviously for the purpose of common benefit in
divine things. This is accomplished through the exercise of spiritual
gifts toward one another.
12:8-10
- For to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit,
to another of the word of knowledge through the same Spirit, to
another faith by the same spirit, to another gifts of healings by
the same Spirit, to another the working of miracles, to another
prophecy, to another discerning of spirits, to another different
kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues.
The nine gifts listed in these 3 verses are all supernatural
in character.
- Word
of wisdom is the proper application of true knowledge.
- Word
of knowledge is true and proper information of needed facts.
- Faith
is of that type that moves trees and mountains. Notice our Lord's
words in Luke 17:6 and
Matt. 21:21.
Elijah had faith to ask God to stop the rain and it happened
as requested (James 5:17) and prayed again for it to start,
and it did so as requested (James 5:18). Keep in mind that every
believer can exercise faith but this, as mentioned in the chapter
overview, was a supernatural gift and was therefore different.
- Gifts
of healings (plural). This ability was promised in our Lord's
commission in Mark 16:18 and practiced in the Acts. (see Acts
3:1-16; 5:15-16; 9:33-34; 14:8-10, and others). There appears
to be no exception to any particular disease, (unlike the carefully
selected "healing" activities of imposters today).
- Working
of miracles is seen in the classic sense in the life of
our Lord (water into wine, feeding the 5,000 and the
4,000, Peter walking on the water and others). In the Acts we
notice Stephen in 6:8 and Phillip in 8:6. There are others as
well.
- Prophecy
was the ability not only to tell forth the truth from God, but
to foretell the future (see Agabus in Acts 11:28 and 21:10-11).
- Discerning
of Spirits was the ability to distinguish what was of God
and what was not of God (see Acts 16:16-18).Paul could discern
that, though the statement of the young woman was true, it came
from an evil spirit.
- Different
kinds of tongues (languages). This was foretold by our Lord
in Mark 16:17 and seen in Acts chapters 2, 10, and 19.It is
perhaps best observed in Acts 2:1-11. In this passage we see
that the disciples not only spoke in other languages that they
had not previously learned, but spoke them in the proper dialect
of the listeners as though they themselves had been born in
or were native to that very region. In the KJV, we see that
tongues in verses 4 and 11 of Acts chapter 2 translates GLOSSAIS.
"Language" in verse 6 and "tongue" in verse
8 translates DIALEXTO. It was the fact that Galileans would
have had a different accent (dialect) that brought about the
amazement of the crowd, not so much that Galileans could speak
another language. To this day, people are identified as to their
region of the United States by their dialect. Therefore, this
gift had a double aspect: Language and dialect. The so-called
"tongues" of our modern day are not of this type and
are therefore not the supernatural gift of the Holy Spirit.
A glance at Judges 12:4-6 will help in understanding this matter
of dialect (accent).
- Interpretation
of tongues (languages) was a gift that we do not see exercised
in the Acts account. It was, however, supernatural and therefore
gave the recipient the ability to interpret a language, though
having never learned it. We shall see clearly in 1 Cor. 14 that
the tongues (languages) and the interpretation thereof were
not of this type (i.e., not supernatural in character but humanly
acquired) and therefore had to be under rules given by the Holy
Spirit at the hand of Paul.
12:11
- But one and the same spirit works all these things, distributing
to each one individually as He wills.
The Spirit not only gave these supernatural abilities but He implemented
them in each believer’s life in a sovereign way. This
was to bring glory to the Lord Jesus by universally distributing
gifts, administrations (services), and operations (workings) in
their lives.
12:12
- For as the body is one and has many members, but all the members
of that one body, being many, are one body, so also is Christ.
The physical body of a person is used as an illustration to understand
the spiritual body of Christ. The unity of the Body of Christ,
though made up of many members, is evident in the positional sense
and should also be in the practical sense.
12:13
- For by one spirit we were all baptized into one body; whether
Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free; and have all been made to
drink into one Spirit.
A literal translation of this verse shows it to be in harmony with
six other verses on the subject of baptism in the spirit
(Matt. 3:11;Mark 1:8; Luke 3:16; John 1:33; Acts 1:5 and 11:16).
The Lord Jesus is the undisputed "baptizer" and the Holy
Spirit is the one in whom we saints in this dispensation are immersed
unto (or with a view to) one body. That took place on the day at
Pentecost shortly after our Lord's ascension to glory. Please consider
a literal translation of the first part of that verse. "And
in (not by or with) one Spirit we all, unto (with a view
to) one body, were baptized". The KJV & NKJV puts it as
though the Holy Spirit was the baptizer; however a literal rendering
gives the correct meaning and is therefore in harmony with all the
other six passages showing the Lord Jesus to be the baptizer. The
four entities necessary to complete baptism are the baptizer, the
baptized, the element, and the purpose (see Matt. 3:11 as it presents
water baptism for all four of the above-mentioned). We find the
first three of these entities as baptism relates to the Holy Spirit
in the previous passages before we come to 1 Cor. 12:13. It is only
there that we get the fourth entity (purpose). The purpose clearly
was to form the one body of Christ (a spiritual body) and this was
accomplished by our Lord on the day of Pentecost (Acts 2). It is
not an experience that we sense. It is tantamount to our being crucified,
buried, and raised with the Lord Jesus (see Gal. 2:20, Romans 6:4-6,
and Col. 2:12 and 3:1).
12:14
- For in fact the body is not one member but many.
As has been well stated by another, we think of variety when
gifts come to mind, we think of the unity when body
comes to mind, and we think a multiplicity when members
come to mind. Therefore, in this verse we see not only the body
(characterized by unity), but members (characterized by many).
12:15
- If the foot should say, "because I am not a hand, I am
not of the body", is it therefore not of the body?
The answer to the question is - it is of the body even though the
foot is not the hand.
12:16
- and if the ear should say, "because I am not an eye, I
am not of the body," is it therefore not all the body?
The same is true of this verse as the previous one.
12:17
- If the whole body were an eye, where would be the hearing?
If the whole were hearing, where would be the smelling?
All members are needed for complete body functions.
12:18
- But now God has set the members, each of them, in the body
just as He pleased.
The body's design is perfect because of the designer. He "sets
the members in the body" according to his own sovereign purpose
and will.
12:19
- And if they were all one member, where would the body be?
The body would be null and void of its multipurpose design if all
were one member.
12:20
- But now indeed there are many members, yet one body
The unity, in the sphere of multiplicity, is achieved by divine
design.
12:21
- And the eye cannot say to the hand, "I have no need a
you"; nor again the head to the feet "I have no need of
you".
No member of the body is to be independent of others and all members
are to be codependent upon each other. Even these parts that appeared
to be the same (like two eyes, two hands, etc.) are totally different
in that they are seen as complementary opposites. What if both thumbs
were on the right side of each hand? Once more, undeniable proof
of an infinite design!
12:22
- No, much rather, those members of the body which seem to be
weaker are necessary.
God has placed an intrinsic value on all members and what seems
to be true from a mere human perspective may not necessarily be
so. Our evaluations are not divine-- unless in the true light of
God's word.
12:23
- And those members of the body which we think to be less honorable,
on these we bestow greater honor; and our unpresentable parts have
greater modesty.
In our human reasoning, we find our thinking to be opposite, or
contrary, to that which is functionally proper. We then make adjustments.
12:24
- But our presentable parts have no need. But God composed the
body, having given greater honor to that part which lacks it,
The Creator, with infinite wisdom and power, brought about a functional
balance in the body while preserving a pleasing appearance.
12:25
- that there should be no schism in the body, but that the members
should have the same care for one another.
Unity (not uniformity), as mentioned before, was in God's mind for
the body. The common, mutual care of all for each other is His will.
The body functions together in perfect harmony and unity and yet
not one part looks or acts exactly like the other - instead they
look-out for each other and act in concert with each other.
12:26
- And if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it;
or if one member is honored, all members rejoice with it.
The union of all members with one another (in Christ) brings
about a universal sensitivity; thereby giving rise to universal
harmony. Another evidence of divine design.
12:27
- Now you are the body of Christ, and members individually.
The definite article (the) is not in the Greek text. The Corinthians
were not the Body of Christ. They were (body of Christ) which
speaks of their character. Such godly character should be evident
in our lifestyle testimony to others. "Members individually"
(or in particular) is stressing the individuality of all
members of the body of Christ and their importance to God and all
other members.
12:28
- And God has appointed these in the church: first apostles,
second prophets, third teachers, after that miracles, then gifts
of healings, helps, administrations, variety of tongues.
Notice who does the appointing! These are not things that men are
to seek after or clamor for. The balance of God’s design is
once more evident. We therefore see God's perfection of design and
purpose in the listing of these gifts - some of a temporary nature
(see chapter 13 on "cease"), and some that will continue
through this entire age.
The
first three on this list are "men who are gifts" and the
others are "gifted men". The first three are also found
in Ephesians 4:11-12 and are given by the Lord himself. It is here
we see first, second and third. Notice that a fourth is not mentioned.
This seems to be in keeping with the "triplet" characteristic
of this section of the letter. Apostles were more than twelve in
number, but twelve were originally chosen by the Lord. The Lord
chose Paul later. It appears that the others referred to above were
spoken of as apostles without the statement "called apostle"
or.... "by the will of God" (Barnabas would be a clear
example). The twelve seem to have had authority and power that others
did not have.
-
The word apostle means "one sent from"
or "one sent away from". Prophets, as well as
apostles, seem to have possessed special powers. Notice Agabus
in Acts 11 and Acts 21 where both times he predicted the future.
Today, apostles and prophets would be men who are such in the
secondary sense. An apostle today would be a man who would be
like the "messengers (translated from the Greek APOSTOLOI)
of the assemblies" (2nd Cor. 8:23).
- Prophet
means "for-tell" -- in the primary sense is telling
forth the future and in the secondary sense is telling forth God's
message without the predictive characteristic. A prophet today
would have only the ability to "tell forth” a message
for God. Bible prophets spoke both of future events (with 100
percent accuracy) and ministered to the current needs of the saints
as led by God.
- Teachers
not only had to know God's word but be able to communicate it
so the saints could understand it. This may be public (platform),
private (family) or one-on-one teaching.
- Miracles
would be the ability, like our Lord had, to turn water into wine
or to take a handful of food and feed thousands.
- Gifts
of healings (in the plural) were demonstrated by the Lord
and his apostles (even deacons). It was when people received instant
healing for all kinds of diseases and infirmities. At one point,
people even tried to "be in" the shadow of Peter because
the gift was so obvious, unmistakable and consistent. Does
God heal today? - absolutely, but not through any gift
that a man has - instead through his own sovereign will and time,
and through the prayer/prayers of his saints.
- Helps
is a more silent gift and it literally translates "taken
against". A person with this gift had the ability to
discern when someone else was about to have a spiritual fall.
They would then "take themselves up against" that person
to keep them from falling.
- Administrations
(governments) is that ability that overseers exercise when they
have been placed by the Holy Spirit to "steer" the assembly
around the "storms above and the reefs beneath." The
word translated administrations is used only two other times (Acts
27:11 & Rev. 18:17) and refers to one who steers a ship.
- Varieties
of tongues (languages) was the gift that enabled a person
to speak fluently a human language which he had never learned,
and do so in the dialect of the person(s) hearing him speak. See
Acts 2: 4-8 and notice that the Greek word dialecto was
used in verses 6 and 8. This matter of dialect was demonstrated
in Israel during the "civil" war in Judges 12: 5-6.
The test was to get the individual to say Shibboleth. If the person
pronounced the word Sibboleth, he was identified as an Ephraimite
and was instantly killed.
12:29
- Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Are all
workers of miracles?
Rhetorical questions that have an obvious answer - in this case,
an emphatic no
12:30
- Do all have gifts of healing? Do all speak with tongues? Do
all interpret?
Here again we have an obvious and emphatic answer of no!
The emphasis here seems to be on the "gift(s)"
of healing/tongues etc. as opposed to healing performed directly
by God without the intervention of man. Our God is still (and always
has been) a healing God. We on the contrary are not now blessed
with the gift of "performing" healing/languages
(tongues) as Christians once were before the completed Word of God
was made available. When there was not yet a written word of the
new "covenant" from which to prove Himself, and validate
the message of Christ, God used these gifts to authenticate
His verbal "new covenant" Word which was being propagated
from the mouths of the apostles and others at that time. In its
original form, God's word was (and is) so complete and so perfect
(and we do believe this don't we?) that we need no additional miraculous
authentication to prove it is indeed His precious Word. It has been
proven and authenticated beyond any reasonable doubt!
12:
31 - But earnestly desire the best gifts. And yet I show you
a more excellent way.
Basic common sense should raise a question as to how these two thoughts
fit together and make any good useful sense. Earnestly desire (or
covet earnestly) translates the verb in the present tense and the
indicative mood. Since the indicative mood is a statement of fact,
not a command, it means they were doing something that needed correction.
This correction will be given as the letter continues into chapter
13. If we are already desiring the so-called "best" gifts
(first sentence), then how can we be shown a "better"
way (second sentence)? Therefore, it should be rendered as a statement
of fact "you are earnestly desiring the so-called best gifts;
shame on you; let me show you a more excellent way" - as if
to say "there is no such thing as one gift being better than
another." Anytime we think we have something better than someone
else, we can become puffed-up with pride - is this what our God
would promote?
It should be remembered that verse 11 of this chapter shows the
sovereign act of the Holy Spirit in the giving of gifts. Therefore
we are not to covet certain gifts because we should be content with
what He gives. "Now godliness with contentment is great gain"
(1 Tim. 6: 6). We believe that spiritual gifts are given at spiritual
birth, not something to be sought after later, because it has already
been given as a sovereign act. If God has already said that something
is ours, how can we continue to beg for it - we have it because
he said so - it would be a disgrace to not believe him. We
simply need to learn contentment.
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