The Gifts

Chapter 4

1 Corinthians 12

The Big Idea

Every person who comes to faith in Christ is also gifted at salvation with a special enablement from God for ministry to others within the body of Christ. Each enablement is vital for what it contributes, unique in its purpose, and diverse in its applications. The gift one receives has no bearing on that person’s value compared to other members, though certain gifts have greater significance in their importance to the body of Christ.

Chapter Overview

1. The Importance of Context
2. Paul Reproves False Prophets (vv. 1–3)
3. The Involvement of the Trinity (vv. 4–6)
4. Understanding How the Spirit Operates through the Gifts (vv. 7–11)
5. Understanding the “Body” of Christ (vv. 12–26)
a. Becoming One in the Body of Christ? (vv. 12–13)
b. The Importance of My Position in the Body of Christ (vv. 14–17)
c. The Determiner of My Position in the Body of Christ (v. 18)
d. Addressing False Pride and Unloving Attitudes (vv. 21–26)
6. The Differing Value of the Gifts (vv. 27–31)

Examination of the Passages

Part 1: The Importance of Context

Many biblical fallacies would be avoided if people took the time to understand the context of a passage. When was the passage written? Who wrote it, and under what circumstances? Who are the recipients, and what is the occasion? What was the world like in their day, especially concerning their current situation? When answered, all of these questions will give the reader a greater understanding of the meaning that the author intended to convey. Observation first, interpretation second, and then application. These three essential foundation stones to rightly divide the Word of Truth. They are too often missed, neglected, or taken out of order, leading to all kinds of viewpoints imported into the passage. This is usually intentional by those who wish to validate a particular view regardless of the passage’s intended meaning. At other times, it is simply the result of someone misled by others or a lack of knowledge.

So then, we begin here by looking to understand the situation that was going on in the city of Corinth in AD 56, the most likely date of this writing from the apostle Paul. This is his second letter to the church he had planted, as stated in Acts 18:1–18. His first letter (referred to in 1 Corinthians 5:9) has been lost, proving that all things the apostles wrote were not “inspired.” It is specific writings that are inspired, not the writers. Anything Spirit-inspired would have certainly been preserved under God’s power.

At the time of this writing, there were (at best) five or six New Testament books that had been written (James, Matthew, Mark, First and Second Thessalonians, and Galatians). These manuscripts had to be hand-copied and distributed, so their availability was minimal. Apart from these writings, the only natural instruction they could have received would have been from the direct ministry of the apostles or any others who had personally followed Jesus. This is why the revelation gifts of prophecy, knowledge, tongues, and interpretation were so very important in guiding the first-century church. They did not have the completed “canon” (a term used for the recognized Spirit-inspired books of the Bible) as we do today. Many people miss this truth and read these passages as if the believers at Corinth had the same access to the Bible that we do. Many of these new believers had pagan backgrounds without knowledge of the Hebrew scriptures or the essential aspects of our life in Christ.

Because of their limited contact with the apostles or written guidelines for faith and practice, the church would incorporate their fundamental beliefs into songs and validations of their beliefs (creeds), such as mentioned by Paul in 1 Timothy 3:16. However, God had also given select people in the church the gifts of prophecy and knowledge, through which He could communicate His words of encouragement and guidance. Jewish people understood this as their history is replete with examples of men who spoke on behalf of God, but it was also acquainted with the problem of false prophets. Though new as Spiritual gifts, these were not an unknown concept to pagan religions back then. Many pagan religions had so-called priests, prophets, and prophetesses who gave one a feeling of assurance and guidance. It is similar to what people feel today when consulting palm readers, tarot card readers, and other spiritualists. But those are things spoken by charlatans at best, Satan worshippers at worst, who prey on the emotions and desires of others for personal gain. Pagan seers, oracles, and prophets received messages from their false gods, often spoken in an unknown language (supposedly the language of the “gods”) that coworkers would then interpret. Here is a quote from one historical source that speaks of the ancient practice of revelation being given from the “gods” at the Temple of Apollo, not far from the city of Corinth:

For centuries, the high priestess of the sacred Temple of Apollo at Delphi assumed the role of the Oracle. Many once believed that the Oracle could communicate directly with Apollo and functioned as a vessel for delivering his prophecies.

The peak period of influence for the Oracle of Delphi spanned the 6th and 4th Centuries BCE. People came from all over the ancient Greek empire and beyond to consult with the revered high priestess. The Delphic oracle was considered the most influential source of wisdom throughout ancient Greece, for it was one of the few ways people could communicate “directly” with Greek gods. The Oracle would dictate the type of seed or grain planted, offer consultation on private matters, and dictate the day the battle was waged.