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Charles Box Commentaries

1 Corinthians 12:1-11

Many members with different gifts 1 Corinthians 12:1-11: Sadly the brethren at Corinth were divided over "men." Paul wanted it understood that God had given different spiritual gifts to different men. These three Chapter s (1 Corinthians 12:1-31; 1 Corinthians 13:1-13; 1 Corinthians 14:1-40) dealing with spiritual gifts must be studied against the background of division in the church at Corinth. Paul did not want these brethren to be ignorant concerning spiritual gifts.

The Bible can be understood. Its purpose is to make know the truth, not to hide truth. Before becoming Christians the Corinthians worshipped idols in ignorance. They were led astray by their dumb idols. In contrast they are no longer spiritually blind. Now by the Spirit of God they serve Jesus as Lord. No dumb idol would induce them to confess that Jesus is Lord. This confession could only be induced by the Spirit of God.

Paul set forth the truth that the same God, the one true God not some idol gods, gave special gifts to men in the early church. This is a discussion of the true spiritual gifts and the disciples that possessed them. "There are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit." The brethren at Corinth felt that some gifts were more important in the church than others. God wanted it understood that all nine gifts were equally important. The miraculous spiritual gifts were the word of wisdom, knowledge, faith, the gifts of healing, the working of miracles, prophecy, discerning of spirits, divers kinds of tongues and the interpretation of tongues. All the gifts were given by the same Spirit therefore there could be no difference as to the value of the various gifts. The Lord gave the proper gift to the proper person for the good of the church.

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See also 1 Corinthians 12:1-11 in other biblical comments:

  • Adam Clarke Bible Commentary

    CHAPTER XII. _The apostle proceeds to the question of the Corinthians_ _concerning spiritual gifts_, 1. _He calls to their remembrance their former state, and how they_ _were brought out of it_, 2...

  • Albert Barnes' Bible Commentary

    NOW CONCERNING - it is now time that I should speak of spiritual endowments. He had no doubt been consulted in regard to them, and probably various questions had been proposed, which he now proceeded...

  • Annotated Bible by A.C. Gaebelein

    2. THE BODY AND THE MEMBERS OF THE BODY CHAPTER 12 _ 1. Concerning spiritual manifestations and diversities of gifts. (1 Corinthians 12:1 .)_ 2. The Body and its members. (1 Corinthians 12:12 .) In...

  • Arthur Peake's Commentary on the Bible

    He begins by distinguishing true gifts of the Spirit from their counterfeit. Unhappily 1 Corinthians 12:2 is far from clear, and the text is perhaps corrupt. Paul may appeal to their experience of ecs...

  • Barclay Daily Study Bible (NT)

    Brothers, I do not want you to be ignorant about manifestations of the Spirit. You know that when you were heathens you were led away to dumb idols, just as any impulse moved you. I want you therefore...

  • Barclay Daily Study Bible (NT)

    THE CONFESSION OF THE SPIRIT (1 Corinthians 12:1-3)...

  • Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes

    CONCERNING. App-104. SPIRITUAL. Greek. _pneumatikos._ It is the adjective of _pneuma_ (App-101), and is applied to things in the Divine sphere, as well as to those in Satan's realm (Ephesians 6:12). I...

  • Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

    1 Corinthians 12:1-11. Spiritual Gifts; their origin and character "We have often to remind ourselves that this Epistle was addressed to a Church in a state of faction. One cause of rivalry was the me...

  • Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

    _concerning spiritual_gifts] Rather (1) spiritual PERSONS, or better (2) spiritual MATTERS, AGENCIES. The word gifts is not in the original. _I would not have you ignorant_ See note on ch. 1 Corinthi...

  • Cambridge Greek Testament for Schools and Colleges Commentary

    1 Corinthians 12:1-11. SPIRITUAL GIFTS; THEIR ORIGIN AND CHARACTER ‘We have often to remind ourselves that this Epistle was addressed to a Church in a state of faction. One cause of rivalry was the me...

  • Cambridge Greek Testament for Schools and Colleges Commentary

    ΔΈ. Here the particle is equivalent to ‘and next.’ ΠΝΕΥΜΑΤΙΚΩ͂Ν. SPIRITUAL AGENCIES. Cf. ch. 1 Corinthians 14:1. This is obviously St Paul’s second point. See note on ch. 1 Corinthians 11:18. The χαρ...

  • Charles Rose Commentaries

    ΠΝΕΥΜΑΤΙΚΌΣ (G4111) духовный. Суффикс указывает на нечто, принадлежащее духу (МН, 378f). Это слово может иметь форму _masc._, духовные люди, или _n._, дух, духовное, духовные дары (Pearson, 47f; Grosh...

  • Coke's Commentary on the Holy Bible

    _1 CORINTHIANS 12:1_.— The Corinthians seem to have inquired of St. Paul, what order of precedency and preference men were to have with respect to their spiritual gifts; nay, if we may guess by his an...

  • College Press Bible Study Textbook Series

    BUTLER'S COMMENTS SECTION 1 Sovereign of Diversity (1 Corinthians 12:1-3) 12 Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I do not want you to be uninformed. 2You know that when you were heathen, you w...

  • College Press Bible Study Textbook Series

    APPLEBURY'S COMMENTS _Text_ 1 Corinthians 12:1-11. Now concerning spiritual gifts. brethren, I would not have you ignorant. 2 Ye know that when ye were Gentiles ye were led away unto those dumb idols...

  • Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible

    Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I would not have you ignorant. This is the second subject for correction in the Corinthian assemblies: the 'first' was discussed, 1 Cor This is the second...

  • Concordant Commentary on the New Testament by A. E. Knoch

    21 The phrase..the Lord's _ supper_ " is misleading. Supper denotes an _ evening _ meal, but the word here employed has no such significance, though its first observance was at night. The word denotes...

  • Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible

    _(E) SPIRITUAL GIFTS_ In the early Church various powers, faculties, and graces were bestowed on individual Christians by the Holy Spirit. Some of these were distinctly miraculous, such as prophecy, t...

  • EasyEnglish Bible Commentaries

    SERVANTS OF CHRIST 1 CORINTHIANS _HILDA BRIGHT_ CHAPTER 12 *SPIRITUAL GIFTS 12:1-31 1. JESUS IS *LORD 12:1-3 V1 Now about the *Holy Spirit’s gifts, *brothers and *sisters, I do not want to leav...

  • Ellicott's Commentary On The Whole Bible

    XII. (1) NOW CONCERNING SPIRITUAL GIFTS. — Again the sequence of the topics treated of is probably decided by the subjects contained in the letter from Corinth (see 1 Corinthians 7:1; 1 Corinthians 8:...

  • Expositor's Bible Commentary (Nicoll)

    CHAPTER 18 CONCERNING SPIRITUAL GIFTS This Epistle is well fitted to disabuse our minds of the idea that the primitive Church was in all respects superior to the Church of our own day. We turn page a...

  • Expositor's Greek Testament (Nicoll)

    For the heading of the new topic, which runs on to the end of ch. 14., see note on 1 Corinthians 7:1. τῶν πνευματικῶν is _neut_. “concerning spiritual things (gifts, powers),” as in 1 Corinthians 14:1...

  • Expositor's Greek Testament (Nicoll)

    § 39. THE VARIOUS CHARISMS OF THE ONE SPIRIT. In treating of the questions of Church order discussed in this Div. of the Ep., the Ap. penetrates from the outward and visible to that which is innermost...

  • Frederick Brotherton Meyer's Commentary

    DIFFERING SPIRITUAL GIFTS 1 Corinthians 12:1 Each believer, being an heir of God, has the _same amount of grace_ placed to his credit in the heavenly bank, on which he can draw in time of need. This...

  • G. Campbell Morgan's Exposition on the Whole Bible

    Now the apostle turned from the corrective section of his letter to the constructive as he proceeded to deal with the spiritualities which negative the carnalities. These are those of the unifying Spi...

  • Gary Hampton Commentaries

    Recognizing God's Spirit It must be remembered that the people of Corinth were primarily Gentiles who had served idols all their lives. They were ignorant of God's will. Spiritual gifts were given by...

  • Geneva Study Bible Commentary

    Now (1) concerning spiritual [gifts], brethren, I would not have you (a) ignorant. (1) Now he enters into the third part of this treatise touching the right use of spiritual gifts, in which he gives t...

  • George Haydock's Catholic Bible Commentary

    Concerning spiritual things. In the apostle's time, the Christians in the sacraments of baptism and confirmation, many times received those graces and gifts of the Holy Ghost, by which some of them pr...

  • Godet's commentary on Luke, John, Romans, 1 Corinthians

    “Now as to spiritual gifts, brethren, I would not have you ignorant. 2. Ye know that when ye were Gentiles, ye were carried away unto dumb idols, even as ye were driven. 3. Wherefore I give you to und...

  • Hawker's Poor man's commentary

    (1) Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I would not have you ignorant. (2) Ye know that ye were Gentiles, carried away unto these dumb idols, even as ye were led. (3) Wherefore I give you to und...

  • Hawker's Poor man's commentary

    CONTENTS This very blessed Chapter, from beginning to end, is directed to one and the same Subject; namely, to describe the Oneness and Union of Christ and his Church. The Apostle from thence shews t...

  • Introductory Lectures - Commentary by William Kelly

    As usual, the introductory words (1 Corinthians 1:1-3) of the epistle give us no little intimation of that which is to follow. The apostle speaks of himself as such "called [to be] an apostle of Jesus...

  • James Nisbet's Church Pulpit Commentary

    _SPIRITUAL GIFTS_ ‘Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I would not have you ignorant.’ 1 Corinthians 12:1 St. Paul is setting forth to the Corinthians in this letter which he addresses to the...

  • John Calvin's Bible Commentary

    1._Now concerning spiritual things. _He goes on to correct another fault. As the Corinthians abused the gifts of God for ostentation and show, and love was little, if at all, regarded, he shows them f...

  • John Darby's Synopsis

    The other branch of the truth, in reference to the assembly of God in general and to the assemblies, is the presence and the gifts of the Holy Ghost. These, as well as the Lord's supper, are in connec...

  • John Gill's Exposition of the Whole Bible

    NOW CONCERNING SPIRITUAL GIFTS,.... Though the word "gifts" is not in the original text, it is rightly supplied by our translators, as it is in the Arabic version: for the apostle does not mean spirit...

  • John Trapp Complete Commentary

    And if any man hunger, let him eat at home; that ye come not together unto condemnation. And the rest will I set in order when I come. 1 Now concerning spiritual _gifts_, brethren, I would not have y...

  • Joseph Benson’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

    _Now concerning spiritual gifts_ Miraculous gifts of the Holy Ghost, bestowed on many believers in those times, for their confirmation in the faith, and the conviction of infidels. The abundance of th...

  • Kretzmann's Popular Commentary of the Bible

    OF THE USE AND PURPOSE OF SPIRITUAL GIFTS. All spiritual gifts from God:...

  • Kretzmann's Popular Commentary of the Bible

    NOW CONCERNING SPIRITUAL GIFTS, BRETHREN, I WOULD NOT HAVE YOU IGNORANT...

  • Leslie M. Grant's Commentary on the Bible

    The Lord's supper has been first considered, being the most important of all gatherings, because it is for the united expression of the affections of the saints toward Him. Now ministry toward the sai...

  • Mark Dunagan Commentaries

    NOW CONCERNING SPIRITUAL GIFTS, BRETHREN,. WOULD NOT HAVE YOU IGNORANT. 'spiritual gifts' -their origin is God not man. Possibly their letter also contained questions on this subject also. (1 Corint...

  • Matthew Henry Commentary on the Whole Bible

    1-11 Spiritual gifts were extraordinary powers bestowed in the first ages, to convince unbelievers, and to spread the gospel. Gifts and graces greatly differ. Both were freely given of God. But where...

  • Matthew Poole's Concise Commentary On The Bible

    1 CORINTHIANS CHAPTER 12 1 CORINTHIANS 12:1 Paul teacheth that none can own Christ but by the Holy Ghost, 1 CORINTHIANS 12:4 whose gifts are diverse, 1 CORINTHIANS 12:7 and dealt

  • McGarvey and Pendleton Commentaries

    [To avoid confusion in our classification of the subjects handled, we have called this section a response, but it is such as to information received, rather than as to questions asked. In the early ch...

  • NT Verse References in the Ante-Nicene Fathers

    Tertullian A Treatise on the Soul " This was her vision, and for her witness there was God; and the apostle most assuredly foretold that there were to be "spiritual gifts" in the church.[58] Tertulli...

  • Patchworkid's Personal Study Bible Notes

    1 Corinthians 12:1 Now G1161 concerning G4012 spiritual G4152 brethren G80 do G2309 not G3756 want G2309 (G571

  • Peter Pett's Commentary on the Bible

    A WARNING THAT SPIRITUAL GIFTS CAN BE IMITATED BY EVIL FORCES (12:1-3) 'Now concerning spiritual things (‘what is spiritual'), brothers, I would not have you ignorant. You know that when you were Gen...

  • Peter Pett's Commentary on the Bible

    SPIRITUAL GIFTS FOR THE WELL-BEING OF CHRIST AND HIS BODY (12:1-14:33). Paul now begins his reply to their question about spiritual gifts ('concerning spiritual things') and immediately gives an initi...

  • Philip Schaff's Popular Commentary on the NT (4 vols)

    _First principle:_ ‘Recognition of “Jesus as the Lord” is an unfailing test of the reality of spiritual gifts.' This is stated both negatively and positively. Ver. 3. WHEREFORE I GIVE YOU TO UNDERSTA...

  • Philip Schaff's Popular Commentary on the NT (4 vols)

    1 Corinthians 12:1. NOW CONCERNING SPIRITUAL _gifts_, [1] BRETHREN, I WOULD NOT HAVE YOU IGNORANT. [1] That “gifts,” not “persons,” is the proper supplement here, there can be no reasonable doubt, an...

  • Robertson's Word Pictures of the New Testament

    NOW CONCERNING SPIRITUAL GIFTS (περ δε των πνευματικων). Clearly one of the items asked about in the letter to Paul (1 Corinthians 7:1) and introduced precisely as the problem of meats offered to id...

  • Scofield's Bible Commentary

    SPIRITUAL GIFTS The Greek word, "pneumatika", literally means, "spirituals", that is, matters of or from the Holy Spirit, gives the key to Chapters 12, 13, 14. Chapter 12 concerns the Spirit in relat...

  • Sermon Bible Commentary

    1 Corinthians 12:1 I. No man can even profess Christianity without the help of the Holy Spirit. It is something even to profess to be a Christian, to make a clear statement even of doctrinal truths wh...

  • Spurgeon's Bible Commentary

    1 Corinthians 12:1. _Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I would not have you ignorant. Ye know that ye were Gentiles, carried away unto these dumb idols, even as ye were led._ Although the mem...

  • Summarized Bible Commentary

    CONTENTS: Spiritual gifts in the Body of Christ, for ministry and worship. CHARACTERS: God, Jesus, Holy Spirit, Paul. CONCLUSION: The Body of Christ in the world is for the service for, and manifesta...

  • Sutcliffe's Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

    1 Corinthians 12:1. _Now concerning spiritual gifts,_ and gifts promised to old men, to young men, and to handmaids, according to Joel 2:28, I would now speak, in the third part of this epistle, and a...

  • The Bible Study New Testament

    THE MATTER ABOUT THE GIFTS. Supernormal gifts from the Holy Spirit were needed in the beginning, because: (1) they did not yet have the New Testament to guide them; (2) they were racing against time ...

  • The Biblical Illustrator

    _Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I would not have you ignorant._ SPIRITUAL GIFTS The particular gifts to which St. Paul was referring were not exactly as a whole like anything that is to be...

  • The ESV Global Study Bible's Study Notes

    1 CORINTHIANS—NOTE ON 1 CORINTHIANS 12:1 Some Corinthian Christians seem to have been creating divisions over spiritual gifts. Paul’s use of the body analogy in 1 Corinthians 12

  • The Great Commentary of Cornelius à Lapide

    _I would not have you ignorant._ And therefore he proceeds to give them teaching about them....

  • The Great Commentary of Cornelius à Lapide

    CHAPTER 12 SYNOPSIS OF THE CHAPTER In this and the two following Chapter s S. Paul discusses Christian gifts and graces. In this chapter he points out I. That gifts are variously distributed by the...

  • The Preacher's Complete Homiletical Commentary

    _CRITICAL NOTES_ 1 Corinthians 12:1.—GIFTS is a translators’ supplement; right in fact, as 1 Corinthians 12:4 show; slightly too precise in word. Almost certainly _neuter_, and so very general, “_spir...

  • The Pulpit Commentaries

    EXPOSITION 1 Corinthians 12:1.—1 Corinthians 14:1.—ON SPIRITUAL GIFTS, AND THE DANGER WHICH AROSE FROM THE

  • Through The Bible C2000 Serie by Chuck Smith

    Now concerning the spiritual gifts, brethren, I would not have you be ignorant (1 Corinthians 12:1). An interesting statement of Paul, because I think that in the church one of the areas where the gre...

  • Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

    1 Corinthians 10:1; 1 Corinthians 12:4; 1 Corinthians 14:1; 1 Corinthians 14:37;...

  • Vincent's Word Studies in the New Testament (4 Volume Set)

    Spiritual gifts. The charismata, or special endowments of supernatural energy, such as prophecy and speaking with tongues. "Before this consciousness of a higher power than their own, the ordinary and...

  • Wells of Living Water Commentary

    CONCERNING SPIRITUAL GIFTS 1 Corinthians 12:1 INTRODUCTORY WORDS 1. A contrast between the spiritual and the carnal in Abram and Lot (Genesis 18:1 and Genesis 19:1). 2. A contrast between

  • Wesley's Explanatory Notes

    Now concerning spiritual gifts — The abundance of these in the churches of Greece strongly refuted the idle learning of the Greek philosophers. But the Corinthians did not use them wisely, which occas...

  • William Burkitt's Expository Notes

    Our apostle begins this chapter with the resolution of another case, concerning the nature and right use of spiritual gifts. Some that excelled in them, were proud of them, using them to vain ostentat...

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