February 27, 2005

CONCERNING SPIRITUAL GIFTS

1 Corinthians 12:1-31

 

   "Concerning spiritual gifts...you were Gentiles carried away to dumb idols..." (1 Cor. 12:1-2). Paul gave them standards whereby to distinguish genuine gifts from God's Spirit from the imitation. He taught them to use and not abuse God-given gifts, not for personal gain but the common good of all through their mutual interdepen-dence. The Chapter outlines as follows:

 

A 1-3 Instructions as to spiritual gifts

   B 4-6 Diversities of gifts

      C 7-11 God's gifts to the saints

         D 12-20 The many members of the human body

         D 21-27 Their mutual interdependence

      C 28 God's provisions for the church

   B 29-30 Diversities of gifts

A 31 Exhortations as to spiritual gifts

 

The named gifts correspond to recipient titles:

Verse 8 - 10

is given

Verse 28

God set some

Verse 29

are all?
word of wisdom first, apostles apostles
word of knowledge second, prophets prophets
faith third, teachers teachers
gifts of healing miracles miracle workers
working of miracles gifts of healing gifts of healing
prophecy    
discerning of spirits helps  
divers tongues governments diverse tongues
interpretation of tongues diverse tongues interpetation of tongues

 

   "Manifestations of the Spirit were given to every man for the profit of all...working that one and selfsame Spirit dividing to every man in His own way as He wills." (12:7,11).

 

Ivan L. Burgener