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 (Matthew 24:14). Many at Corinth took a superstitious view of the "gifts from the Spirit," especially... [ Continue Reading ]
WHILE YOU WERE STILL HEATHEN. The pagans were led by no intelligent, conscious guidance (which the Holy Spirit gives), but by an occult power (_of demons,_ 1 Corinthians 10:19-21) through the idol. [See introduction to First Corinthians.]... [ Continue Reading ]
A CURSE ON JESUS. This implies that some who claimed to have God's Spirit had said that Jesus was a phony (an impostor) who deserved the death he died. _MacKnight_ thinks these might have been Jewish Exorcists (see note on Acts 19:13). Probably the pagan priests and priestesses did this. The experie... [ Continue Reading ]
THERE ARE DIFFERENT KINDS. "Because the spiritual gifts all come from the one Spirit, they are all equally _divine,_ even though different.... [ Continue Reading ]
DIFFERENT WAYS OF SERVING. Each of the _gifts from the Spirit_ makes it possible for the one who has them to serve both God and the messianic community. As they _serve,_ all who have _gifts from the Spirit_ are equal.... [ Continue Reading ]
DIFFERENT ABILITIES TO PERFORM SERVICE. The same God is the source of authority for each who has the _gifts from the Spirit,_ therefore all are equal. The whole point of 1 Corinthians 12:4-6 is that (1) there are different gifts; (2) there are different ways of serving; (3) there are different abili... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR THE GOOD OF ALL. No gift from the Spirit is intended to bring glory to the one who has it. The purpose for these gifts _is for the good of all_ (compare Ephesians 4:12-13). [2 Timothy 1:6 implies that: (1) the spiritual gifts came through the apostles; (2) that each was given only _one_ gift. Th... [ Continue Reading ]
THE SPIRIT GIVES ONE MAN. Remember: the New Testament as we have it did not yet exist. Supernormal gifts were needed to permit the church to grow rapidly. A MESSAGE OF WISDOM. The commands of Christ. See Matthew 28:20. A MESSAGE OF KNOWLEDGE. A complete knowledge of the Old Testament Scriptures. The... [ Continue Reading ]
GIVES FAITH. Not the faith which comes through hearing the gospel (Romans 10:17). Faith, as a gift from the Spirit, was: (1) supernormal boldness and courage (Matthew 10:19-20; Luke 21:15; Acts 4:31; Acts 6:10); (_2)_ faith which led spiritual men to perform miracles (Matthew 17:20; 1 Corinthians 13... [ Continue Reading ]
THE POWER TO WORK MIRACLES. MacKnight understands this to be the ability to confer spiritual gifts on others. Only the apostles seem to have had this gift from the Spirit (see Acts 8:14-17 and notes). OF SPEAKING GOD'S MESSAGE. _Prophecy_ = _God's message._ The prophet, under divine control, spoke t... [ Continue Reading ]
BUT IT IS ONE AND THE SAME SPIRIT. These gifts, though different, came from the ONE Spirit. Each gift was necessary to _build up_ the body of Christ. Each gift conferred equal honor. No one had any right to boast that his (or her) gift made them more spiritual and holy than other people. [HEKASTO =... [ Continue Reading ]
CHRIST IS LIKE A SINGLE BODY. Paul uses the example of the human body to show the nature of Christ (and his church). The point is _variety in unity._ Diversification of function makes possible human life. The unity of the Church is the _oneness_ of a living organism where each individual has his or... [ Continue Reading ]
IN THE SAME WAY. That the body is the sum of all the parts. HAVE BEEN BAPTIZED INTO THE ONE BODY. The point is, that in spite of our differences of race, nationality, and social status, we all become ONE in Christ. BY THE SAME SPIRIT. See notes on John 3:5-7. THE ONE SPIRIT TO DRINK. God's gift, the... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR THE BODY ITSELF. The human body is made up of many different parts, with different abilities and different functions.... [ Continue Reading ]
IF THE FOOT WERE TO SAY. If the foot complains because it must walk in the dust and dirt, it doesn't _change_ anything because it grumbles.... [ Continue Reading ]
AND IF THE EAR WERE TO SAY. Again complaining doesn't _change_ anything, because the _fact_ of its function is still the same! [_Bengelius_ thinks the _foot_ symbolizes the common people in the church; the _hand,_ the leaders; the _eyes,_ the teachers; and the _ears,_ the learners.]... [ Continue Reading ]
IF THE WHOLE BODY. Paul shows how absurd their jealousy of each other is, by showing what would happen to the human body if the subordinate parts were omitted.... [ Continue Reading ]
GOD PUT EVERY DIFFERENT PART. In both the human body and the Church, God assigns function to each part for the good of the whole.... [ Continue Reading ]
THERE WOULD NOT BE A BODY. It is only because of the different functions of each part, that the _body_ can be a body.... [ Continue Reading ]
AS IT IS. "Facts are stubborn things!" Paul firmly states: there are many parts, and one body. Compare 1 Corinthians 10:17 and note. The happiness of the _one body_ results from the existence of all its parts.... [ Continue Reading ]
SO THEN! The hands need the guidance of the eye, and the eye needs the help of the hands. Every member of the _body_ has his or her place and is _needed_ by every other member of the body. And it is also true that Christ the _head_ needs every _member_ of his Church. This also includes the _weak_ me... [ Continue Reading ]
WE CANNOT DO WITHOUT. In our human bodies, the brain, lungs, and intestines are easily injured, but we could more easily get along without an arm, leg, or eye, than one of these.... [ Continue Reading ]
AREN'T WORTH VERY MACH. Certain parts of our bodies we hide from sight. WHICH DON'T LOOK VERY NICE. The generative organs.... [ Continue Reading ]
WHICH THE MORE BEAUTIFUL PARTS. We beautify our bodies by covering up certain parts and decorating others with items of clothing. But our head, face, and hands don't need such coverings. The point is that the strong members of the church ought to work for the good of the weak, and the weak should ge... [ Continue Reading ]
AND SO THERE IS NO DIVISION IN THE BODY. The physical body becomes both a symbol of and a basis for the spiritual group. _Chrysostom_ writes: "When the head is crowned, the whole man feels itself glorified; when the mouth speaks, the eyes laugh and are filled with gladness.... [ Continue Reading ]
ARE CHRIST'S BODY. "By your baptism into union with Christ, you become part of the ONE church or body, of which Christ is the head, soul, and ruler; and considers things done to parts of that body as done to himself.... [ Continue Reading ]
IN THE CHURCH, THEN. Nine spiritual gifts were named; nine positions in the church are now given. GOD HAS PUT ALL IN PLACE. Compare 1 Corinthians 12:18. APOSTLES. The Twelve, plus Paul. From them all must receive the knowledge of the gospel. They have no _replacements,_ and even though dead, they st... [ Continue Reading ]
THEY ARE NOT ALL. Paul once again shows the wide variety of abilities, and the fact that each has his own special part to play in the _body._... [ Continue Reading ]
ON THE MORE IMPORTANT GIFTS. "Even though God has put all in place, we should eagerly desire the more important gifts. We should not be content to _speak in strange tongues,_ when we could _speak God's message,_ etc." BEST OF ALL, HOWEVER. "The gifts from the Spirit are good, but there is something... [ Continue Reading ]