Spiritual Gifts for the Body (I Cor 12:1-14)

About Individual Spiritual Gifts

1 Corinthians 12:1-11 Now about spiritual gifts, brothers, I do not want you to be ignorant. You know that when you were pagans, somehow or other you were influenced and led to believe astray to mute idols.  Therefore 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.

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.  To one there is given through the Spirit the message of wisdom, to another the message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, 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.  All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he gives them to each one, just as he determines. 

1. What is a spiritual gift? (v. 1)

• Special skill or manifestation of the Spirit for the good of the body, given by the Spirit that is above or beyond a learned skill or natural talent we have as humans.

• The visible presence of the Holy Spirit seen through the actions and abilities of individuals -- evidence of God's Spirit working.

2. Where do we get spiritual gifts from? (v. 4)

• Holy Spirit

• Christ (see Ephesians 4:7)

3. What does this imply about the gift?

• That it is holy

• Perfect

• Matched for us to be used for a specific purpose to glorify God and fulfill His Purposes.

• That the gift is very valuable and should be treated as such

• (Not stated but implied: that if willfully not used it may be lost)

4. Why does the Holy Spirit want to give us gifts? (v. 7)

• Benefit the body (church)

• Glorify God

• Fulfill His purposes

5. Who determines who gets what gift? (v. 11) God.

6. What should our attitude be concerning seeking spiritual gifts? (v. 31)

• We are to be receptive and open to receive them (not limiting what God may or may not do based on our preconceived notions or doctrines)

• We are to eagerly desire to be gifted.

Order in the Spiritual Church

1 Corinthians 14: 1-14 Follow the way of love and eagerly desire spiritual gifts, especially the gift of prophecy.  For anyone who speaks in a tongue does not speak to men but to God. Indeed, no one understands him; he utters mysteries with his spirit.  But everyone who prophesies speaks to men for their strengthening, encouragement and comfort.  He who speaks in a tongue edifies himself, but he who prophesies edifies the church.  I would like every one of you to speak in tongues, but I would rather have you prophesy. He who prophesies is greater than  one who speaks in tongues, unless he interprets, so that the church may be edified.

Now, brothers, if I come to you and speak in tongues, what good will I be to you, unless I bring you some revelation or knowledge or prophecy or word of instruction?  Even in the case of lifeless things that make

sounds, such as the flute or harp, how will anyone know what tune is being played unless there is a distinction in the notes? 8Again, if the trumpet does not sound a clear call, who will get ready for battle?  So it is with you.  Unless you speak intelligible words with your tongue, how will anyone know what you are saying?  You will just be speaking into the air.  Undoubtedly there are all sorts of languages in the world, yet none of them is without meaning.  I then I do not grasp the meaning of what someone is saying, I am a foreigner to the speaker, and he is a foreigner to me.

Questions to consider

1. As you scan through these verses, do you perceive conflict of some sort? What do you think the issue might have been?

• Corinth valued tongues above other gifts, and they were not using the gifts correctly (to edify the body), with an interpreter.

2. What is the first step in establishing order in the Spiritual church (v. 1)

• Use the gift to glorify God and edify the church, not the individual who uses the gift.

3. In the tongues vs. prophecy debate, what is God's point? Do both edify? Which edifies more?

• Yes, both edify, but prophecy edifies the body, whereas without an interpreter, tongues only edifies the individual.

4. In 1 Corinthians 14: 39-40, how do we see God's balance in the resolution?

• Do not deny tongues, but be eager to prophesy in an orderly and fitting way.

Dealing with Controversy

Amid all the division the gifts have caused down through the centuries, why does God want us to earnestly pursue spiritual gifts?

• 1 Corinthians 2:1-5 - So that your faith rests on God's power, not your own.
• 1 Corinthians 4:20 - So that the power of the Kingdom of God would be displayed

We can add to our list of "what does God want Trinity to look like?" this: God wants Trinity to be a place where God's power is displayed through the working of the Spirit; namely demonstrated through the gifts of individuals endowed by the Spirit.

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All Scripture references

New International Version (NIV)  Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society