1 Corinthians 12:1-11 Click here for Bible Verses
Hi GAMErs,
Today’s passage is 1 Corinthians 12:1-11. Let’s go!
1 Corinthians 12:1-3 (NIV)
1 Now about spiritual gifts, brothers, I do not want you to be ignorant.
2 You know that when you were pagans, somehow or other you were influenced and led astray to mute idols.
3 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.
On verses 1-3: Have you ever seen people engaging in some spiritual activity and wondered if that activity is really from God or not? In 1 Corinthians 12:1-3, Paul gives one good guideline in helping you discern whether a spiritual activity is from God or is demonic. The question to ask is: as the people are engaging in this activity, what are they saying about Jesus Christ? Are they exalting Jesus as Lord? Or, are they cursing Jesus and/or outright dishonouring Him? If they are exalting Jesus as Lord as they do this activity, if the fruit is that Jesus is glorified through this activity, this should suggest to you that God’s Spirit is involved in some way. But if they are cursing Jesus or dishonouring Him as they do this activity, it suggests that this activity is not from the Holy Spirit. As Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 12:3: “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.”
In deciding what to think of any controversial matter, always bring it back to Jesus. It’s all about Him in the end.
1 Corinthians 12:4-6 (NIV)
4 There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit.
5 There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord.
6 There are different kinds of working, but the same God works all of them in all men.
On verses 4-6: Praise God that He didn’t give us all the same spiritual gifts. Instead, the Holy Spirit gave us all different gifts so that we could work together, rely on one another, play off each other’s strengths, cover each other’s weaknesses, and be part of building God’s church together.
1 Corinthians 12:7-10 (NIV)
7 Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good.
8 To one there is given through the Spirit the message of wisdom, to another the message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit,
9 to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit,
10 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.
On verses 7-10: Before Paul begins to list some of the spiritual gifts that a Christian can receive, Paul begins with this important statement in verse 7: “Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good.” “To each one” suggests to me that every Christian has been given spiritual gift. There is no such thing as a Christian who is not gifted. “[F]or the common good” (v7) tells us that whenever God gives you any spiritual gift, it’s because He has the good of others in mind. Continuing with the theme of seeking not our own good but the good of others, Paul reminds us that God gives us spiritual gifts not for us, but for others. Just as God generously gave you spiritual gifts, may you take the time to discover and develop those gifts and use them generously to build others up.
By the way, there are other spiritual gifts the Holy Spirit can give, and these are listed elsewhere in the New Testament, such as Romans 12:6-8 and Ephesians 4:11-12.
1 Corinthians 12:11 (NIV)
11 All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he gives them to each one, just as he determines.
On verse 11: At least 9 times in verses 1-11, Paul mentions the Holy Spirit, telling us that Holy Spirit is the one who gives us spiritual gifts “just as He determines”. What can we learn from this? The “he” is verse 11 suggests to me that the Holy Spirit is a Person. More than just a force or a power, the Holy Spirit is a Person with a will, an intellect and even emotions. The Holy Spirit is God, the 3rd person in the Trinity of Father, Son and Holy Spirit (v4-6). Joy, wisdom, purpose and power come the more we get to know the Holy Spirit well and intimately. The more quality time you spend with God and the more serve God while relying on His power, the better acquainted you’ll become with the Holy Spirit.
Holy Spirit, thank You for all the spiritual gifts You give, the greatest of which is You Yourself. I pray that I would know You more and also discover, develop and deploy the gifts You have given me for the good of others. You’re welcome here Holy Spirit. Come and fill my life today. In Jesus’ name, AMEN!
