CORINTHIANS

Part Two

In his first letter to the Corinthians chapter twelve and verse one, Paul writes these words: "Now about spiritual gifts, brothers, I do not want you to be ignorant." The word he uses for ignorant is the Greek word agnoeo. This word means: not to know through lack of information or intelligence; to ignore through disinclination. However, considering the disagreements prevalent in the church today he might almost have better used the Greek word idiotes, which is translated to mean rude. Each group convinced that they are not agnoeo and do not lack the information or intelligence to understand what Paul is teaching regarding spiritual gifts, usually display idiotes in their rudeness to others who disagree.

There are some that teach that spiritual gifts ended with the closure of the Book of Acts and were only necessary for a short time in the establishment of the church. These ones are so sure they are right, that any who show any signs now of having spiritual gifts, as far as they are concerned did not receive a gift from God, but rather are possessed by an evil spirit. There are others who believe that not only are the gifts for today, but that every Christian has the potential for every gift available to him or her on demand if only they would exercise faith to receive the gift they want. They are convinced that anyone naming the Name of Christ and does not have at least the gift of tongues, is still saved, but is not very "spiritual". Of course any combination of the two extremes can always be found somewhere to suit ones' taste, which will account for many denominational splits.

Most denominations take a definite doctrinal stand on the issue one way or another. For some, the whole denomination is defined by their view of Spiritual gifts. For any of these churches to alter their viewpoint would change the structure of their existence. However it must be decided whether the firmly held doctrines of the church can determine truth, or if truth must determine firmly held doctrines of the church. It has been said that a person can be honestly mistaken until he encounters truth; then he must cease to be mistaken, or cease to be honest. It is easy to think that Spiritual gifts are not for today until you come face to face with their reality. Then that encounter of the present day operation of Spiritual gifts must eliminate the one extreme viewpoint, that it is not for today. However, to believe that Paul is teaching that all of the gifts are available to any one individual, or that someone is not spiritual who does not have at least the gift of tongues, is not an accurate interpretation of what he is saying either, which eliminates the other extreme.

Paul writes that "there are different kinds of gifts but the same Spirit. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working, but the same God works all of them in all men. Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good." (I Cor. 12:4-7). He then goes on to explain what each of those gifts are and then he says, "All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and He gives them to each one just as He determines." (12:11). By this we can plainly see that it is the Holy Spirit that distributes the gifts to whomever He determines, in whatever measurement He determines, all for the common good of the whole body of Christ.

It is indeed the statement "for the common good" that is a key factor in understanding much of this passage. It is not for the individual that these gifts are given. It is not some sign of spiritual accomplishment that determines the recipients of these gifts. These gifts are not some meritorious rewards given as trophies of service. They are GIFTS—given from the heart of the One True Giver of Gifts—and that for the common good as He determines!

To further illustrate his point on how Spiritual gifts are to operate in the church, Paul uses the way our natural human body functions as an example, to explain how the gifts work in the Body of Christ Spiritually. 1 Cor. 12:12-26 is not some change of subject half way through his explanation of Spiritual gifts, it is an illustration in the natural of a Spiritual truth. Then in verse 27 Paul says: "Now you are the body of Christ and each one of you is a part of it." Notice that each one is a part of the body of Christ. Each part has an important function to benefit the whole. No one part of the body can function alone to the exclusion of the whole body. Just as each body part doesn’t determine its own function, but is determined by its placement in the body, so also, no one member of the body of Christ determines their own part either. God has placed each one in the body as He chooses and His Spirit distributes the gifts as He determines. Now where some confusion arises is from the verse Paul uses at the end of chapter 12:31 where he writes, "But eagerly desire the greater gifts." Now, if Paul was to have stopped there, a totally different meaning can be taken without adding the end of the verse that says, "And now I will show you the most excellent way." That most excellent way he goes on to say, is the way of Love. This is not just some disconnected chapter on love that is separate from what he has been saying previously. Paul has just connected what he has been saying with what he is about to say by stating it is a more excellent way.

First Paul tells us what the gifts are; then he describes how they operate using the body as the analogy; now he describes the means by which these gifts flow. Therefore to eagerly desire and obtain the greatest gifts without the nature of God’s love is to be ineffective in helping others or yourself with any real or lasting benefit. More than that, the gifts are given for service, so without the motivational temperament of love, any gift, any sacrifice, any service, is done for self-seeking motives and does not give God the glory. Love can sustain itself without the gifts, but the gifts cannot be sustained without love.

The way of true love seeks the highest good of another. Therefore, even if someone disagrees in matters of doctrine—if following in the way of love as laid out in chapter 13, there can be no contention. This is the way that is more excellent! Love must be the means by which the gifts are manifested, otherwise it is powerless. The Kenneth Wuest translation describes the Greek word for love used here as "God’s love produced in the heart of the yielded saint by the Holy Spirit, a love that impels one to deny himself for the sake of the loved one." I will add to that by saying that this is the same measure of love to be shown to friend and enemy alike. All is done to build up and to edify the body of Christ, which is the church!

Can I speak in the languages of men and angels? Good for me, but if I have not love it is only like a noisy gong and a clanging symbol. Can I "utter divine revelations and [do I] know all the mysteries and all the knowledge?" Do I "have all the faith so that I am able to keep on removing mountain after mountain, but I am not possessing love I am nothing." Do "I use all my possessions to feed the poor and deliver my body [as a martyr] in order that I may glory, but do not have love, I am profited in not even one thing." (1 Cor. 13:1-3 Wuest translation in quotations).

Are the gifts of the Spirit for today? Of course they are! Am I going to divide with a brother who believes differently? Of course not! Is any gift a measure of spiritual maturity? Of course the gift is not, but the manner in which that gift manifests itself will show whether the vessel that contains it is mature in their use of that gift. Can one possess all the gifts? Of course not, but would I encourage anyone to earnestly seek for ALL that the Holy Spirit may impart to them, that the Body of Christ may be edified, and more abundantly that God may be all the more Glorified in and out of the church? Of course!

Amen!