Q D 12:1-31. Spiritual gifts.
E 13:1-13. Love more excellent than gifts.
D 14:1-40. Prophecy the best gift.
D d 1-3. Instruction as to spiritual gifts.
e 4-6. Diversities of gifts.
f 7-11. God's gifts to the saints.
g 12-20. The many members of the body.
g 21-27. Their mutual independence.
f 28. God's provision for the church.
e 29,30. Diversities of gifts.
d 31. Exhortation as to spiritual gifts.
1 Corinthians 12)
1 Now concerning spiritual gifts , brethren, I would not have you ignorant.
2 You know that you were Gentiles, led away to dumb idols (see Acts 8:32. Cp. Ps. 115:5. Isa. 46:7. Jer. 10:5), even as you were led.
3 Wherefore I make known to you, that no one speaking in the Spirit of God (Pneuma Theou. The new nature) says "accursed Jesus" (this was probably a form of renunciation. See Acts 24:12): and that no man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Spirit. (This means acknowledging Him as Lord and Master [Rom. 10:9], not mere lip-service.)
4 Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. (In vv.4-6 we have the Spirit, the Son, and the Father working.)
5 And there are differences of services, but the same Lord.
6 And there are diversities of workings, but it is the same God which works all in all. (See Rom. 7:5)
7 But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for profiting. (i.e. for the profit of others)
8 For to one is given through the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge according to the same Spirit;
9 To another faith (cp. Gal. 5:22. Eph. 2:8) in the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing (Luke 6:17) in the same Spirit;
10 To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits (Rom. 14:1. Heb. 5:14); to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues:
11 But all these work that one and the same Spirit, distributing to every man in His own way as He will.
12 For as the body is one, and has many members, and all the members of the one body, being many, are one body: so is the Christ also.
13 For by one Spirit were we all baptized into one body (it is the Lord who baptizes in pneuma hagion. See John 1:33), whether we be Judeans or Greeks, whether we be slaves or free; and were all made to drink in one Spirit. (See Acts 8:40; 18:22; 20:14-16; &c., the gifts of the Spirit being regarded as a fountain. Cp. John 4:14)
14 For the body is not one member, but many.
15 If the foot shall say, "Because I am not a hand, I am not of the body;" is it on account of this not of the body?
16 And if the ear shall say, "Because I am not the eye, I am not of the body;" is it therefore not of the body?
17 If the whole body were an eye, where were the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where were the smelling?
18 But now God set (same word as "ordain" in John 15:16) the members each one of them in the body, as He pleased. (or purposed.)
19 And if they were all one member, where were the body?
20 But now are they many members, yet but one body.
21 And the eye is not able to say to the hand, "I have no need of you:" nor again the head to the feet, "I have no need of you."
22 But, much more those members of the body, which seem to be (i.e. naturally) more feeble, are necessary:
23 And those members of the body, which we think to be less honorable, upon these we bestow (lit. put around) more abundant honor; and our uncomely (or shapeless) parts have more abundant comeliness.
24 For our comely parts have no need: but God mingled the body together, having given more abundant honor to that part which came short. (See Rom. 3:23)
25 In order that there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should care the same on behalf of one another.
26 And if at least one member suffer, all the members suffer together; or one member be glorified, all the members rejoice together.
27 Now you are the body of Christ, and members in particular. ("Each in their part".)
28 And God has set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that powers (workers of miracles), then gifts of healings, helps, governments (guidance. Cp Acts 27:11), different kinds of tongues.
29 Are all apostles? are all prophets? are all teachers? are all workers of miracles?
30 Have all the gifts of healing? do all speak with tongues? do all interpret? (See Acts 9:36)
31 But covet earnestly (see Acts 7:9) the best gifts: and yet show I to you a more excellent way. (See Rom. 7:13)