_(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, tongues, power to work miracles; others were less extraordinary gifts, such as teaching or wisdom; o... [ Continue Reading ]
GENTILES] and so ignorant of all spiritual gifts, and requiring guidance now.... [ Continue Reading ]
WHEREFORE] i.e. because these gifts differ from any experience you had when heathens. CALLETH JESUS ACCURSED] RV 'saith, Jesus is anathema,' as unbelieving Jews would say. JESUS IS THE LORD] cp. Romans 10:9 (RV). This sincere confession is the essence of Christianity, and proves the presence of the... [ Continue Reading ]
The gift by which the Spirit manifests His presence is given to each for the common good of all.... [ Continue Reading ]
FAITH] i.e. (probably) a great wonder-working faith (1 Corinthians 13:2; Hebrews 11:33).... [ Continue Reading ]
PROPHECY] i.e. inspired utterance of God's mind; not only 'foretelling,'but 'forth-telling': see on 1 Corinthians 14:1; DISCERNING OF SPIRITS] power to recognise whether a man were a true or a false prophet. TONGUES.. INTERPRETATION] cp. intro. to chapter... [ Continue Reading ]
AS HE WILL] Notice the personality and the freedom of the Spirit. 12-31. The Church is like the human body. It consists of many members, with different functions, but all intended to promote the good of the whole. Thus there is no room for selfish display, envy of others' gifts, contempt of one's o... [ Continue Reading ]
ARE] i.e. constitute one body. SO ALSO _is_ CHRIST] Christ is regarded here as the personality whose body is the Church. He is so closely connected with the Church that He is almost identified with it. He infuses His Spirit into it, and His Presence interpenetrates it. Every Christian is a member of... [ Continue Reading ]
INTO ONE BODY] i.e. so as to become one body: cp. Ephesians 4:4. HAVE BEEN ALL MADE TO DRINK INTO (RV 'OF') ONE SPIRIT] or, perhaps, 'been watered with one Spirit.' He has poured His gifts into us all.... [ Continue Reading ]
A warning against being envious of others' gifts, negligent of our own. IS IT THEREFORE NOT OF THE body?] RV 'it is not therefore not of the body'; it does not on this account cease to belong to it. 17F. IF THE WHOLE BODY] Just as the differences of powers and functions are a great advantage to the... [ Continue Reading ]
I HAVE NO NEED OF THEE] a rebuke to those who despised those not possessing _their_ gifts.... [ Continue Reading ]
BESTOW MORE ABUNDANT HONOUR] i.e. by clothing them.... [ Continue Reading ]
NO NEED] of clothing. TEMPERED.. TOGETHER] wrought all into harmony. GIVEN MORE ABUNDANT HONOUR] by implanting in men the instinct of 1 Corinthians 12:23.... [ Continue Reading ]
NO SCHISM] contrast 1 Corinthians 1:10; 1 Corinthians 11:18, where see note.... [ Continue Reading ]
ALL THE MEMBERS SUFFER WITH IT] What is true of the human body, through the nervous connexion of all. its parts, should be true of the Church: cp. Romans 12:5. 27-31. Application. The various offices and functions in the Church, Christ's Body. These are by God's assignment; all do not possess the s... [ Continue Reading ]
YE ARE THE BODY OF CHRIST] true of individual Churches, as here; and of the Church universal (Ephesians 1:23). MEMBERS IN PARTICULAR] i.e. each in his place; RV 'severally members thereof.'... [ Continue Reading ]
FIRST APOSTLES, etc.] cp. similar list, Ephesians 4:11. It is a list not so much of distinct offices as of functions and gifts, some of which may be combined in the same man. St. Paul was Apostle, prophet, teacher (Acts 13:1), worked miracles, and spoke with tongues (1 Corinthians 14:18). APOSTLES]... [ Continue Reading ]
INTERPRET] i.e. the tongues (1 Corinthians 12:10).... [ Continue Reading ]
COVET (RV 'desire') EARNESTLY THE BEST (RV 'greater') GIFTS] The lowest have their place, but it is right to aim at possessing the higher. AND YET SHEW I UNTO YOU A MORE EXCELLENT WAY] RV 'a still more excellent way show I unto you,' i.e. in which to possess and use them. To have them is good, but i... [ Continue Reading ]