1 Corinthians 12:11

sums up the last par. (1 Corinthians 12:4-10), impressing on the Cor [1869] with redoubled emphasis the variety in unity of the “gifts,” and vindicating the sanctity of each: “But all these things worketh the one and the same Spirit” (cf. 1 Corinthians 12:9). In the qualifying clause, “dividing separately (seorsim) as He wills,” διαίρουν takes up the διαιρέσεις of 1 Corinthians 12:4-6; ἑκάστῳ is resumed from 1 Corinthians 12:7; ἰδίᾳ adds the thought that the Spirit deals with each recipient by himself, individually and appropriately (cf. 1 Corinthians 7:7; 1 Corinthians 3:8; 1 Corinthians 15:23); while καθὼς βούλεται signifies that He acts in the distribution upon His choice and judgment, where lies the hidden reason for the giving or withholding of each particular gift. For βούλομαι, see parls.; and for its difference from ἐθέλω, cf. 1 Corinthians 12:18; also 1 Corinthians 4:19; 1 Corinthians 4:21, and parls. Eurip., Hippol., 1329 f., supplies a good example of the distinction, οὐδεὶς ἀπαντᾶν βούλεται προθυμίᾳ τῇ τοῦ θέλοντος, ἀλλʼ ἀφιστάμεθʼ ἀεί : “None of us likes to cross the purpose of one that is bent on anything, but we always stand aside”. No predicate could more strongly imply personality than does βούλεται.

[1869] Corinth, Corinthian or Corinthians.