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 8:1), and the Apostle replies to inquiries regarding the comparative value and importance of certain s... [ Continue Reading ]
YE KNOW THAT YE WERE GENTILES. — Better (according to the weight of MSS. evidence), _Ye know that when ye were Gentiles ye were,_ &c. In this and the following verse the Apostle reminds his readers that so far from regarding the marvellous manifestations of the Spirit, such as speaking with tongues... [ Continue Reading ]
WHEREFORE I GIVE YOU TO UNDERSTAND. — Better, _Wherefore I make known unto you._ Because such was your condition, and there still seems to linger in your minds some of the ignorance which belonged to such a state, I make known unto you the one great test of your possession of the Holy Spirit. If any... [ Continue Reading ]
(4-6) NOW THERE ARE DIVERSITIES OF GIFTS. — Although conversion is identical in every case, yet afterwards there are spiritual gifts which vary according to individual capacity and character, but they all come from the one Spirit. There are varieties of ministration in which those spiritual gifts ar... [ Continue Reading ]
BUT THE MANIFESTATION OF THE SPIRIT. — These gifts which flow from one source are intended to flow towards one object, viz., the benefit of the whole Church. If it were only for a man’s own benefit it would cease to be a “manifestation” — it would be sufficient for the person to possess the spirit c... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR TO ONE IS GIVEN BY THE SPIRIT. — 1 Corinthians 12:8 illustrate the former statements as to varieties of endowments for the object of the manifestation of the Spirit, still, however, emphasising the unity of their origin, viz., the Holy Spirit. The following division (Meyer’s) of the gifts which... [ Continue Reading ]
FAITH. — This cannot mean the faith which is necessary to salvation, for that belongs to all Christians; but such faith as is mentioned in Matthew 17:20; Luke 17:6, the results of such a faith being here enlarged, and not embracing miracles alone, but prophecy and the discerning of spirits. In the G... [ Continue Reading ]
PROPHECY. — Not in its modern and limited sense of foretelling the future, but forthtelling truth generally. DISCERNING OF SPIRITS — _i.e.,_ the power to distinguish between the workings of the Holy Spirit and of evil and misleading spirits (see 1 Timothy 4:1; 1 John 4:1). On the gifts of tongues a... [ Continue Reading ]
BUT ALL THESE. — Again, in striking contrast to the great varieties of gifts, the common source of them all is emphatically repeated. The Corinthians estimated these gifts variously, according to their variety in operation. The Apostle estimates their common value as proceeding from the One Spirit,... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR. — Here follows an illustrative proof of the former statement. The human body is composed of many members, and so also is the spiritual body of Christ, which is His Church. TO DRINK INTO ONE SPIRIT. — Better (in accordance with the best MSS.), _to drink one Spirit._ The act of baptism was not o... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR THE BODY IS NOT ONE MEMBER, BUT MANY. — Here follows a series of suggestions as to the different parts of the body claiming independence of the body itself, which the nature of the case shows to be absurd.... [ Continue Reading ]
IS IT THEREFORE NOT OF THE BODY? — Better, _It is not on that account not of the body;_ and so omit the note of interrogation in the subsequent passages of these verses also. The illustration is almost the same as that contained in Livy, ii. 32, the fable of the revolt of the limbs against the belly... [ Continue Reading ]
IF THE WHOLE BODY WERE AN EYE. — Here is shown how absurd it would be for the body to be merely one member, and in 1 Corinthians 12:19 is shown the converse absurdity of the members losing their individuality. There is a corporate body composed of divers members. That is the difference between a dea... [ Continue Reading ]
BUT NOW ARE THEY. — From the _reductio ad absurdum_ of the previous verses the Apostle turns to the fact as it is, and proceeds (in 1 Corinthians 12:21) to state that there is a mutual interdependence in the members of the body. The eye is dependent on the hand, the head upon the feet. Here, no doub... [ Continue Reading ]
WHICH SEEM TO BE MORE FEEBLE. — The general argument of this and the following verse (without attempting to identify the particular parts of the body referred to) is that the weakest parts of the body are as necessary to the body as the strongest; and those parts which are considered less seemly are... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR OUR COMELY PARTS HAVE NO NEED. — These words (better, _and our comely parts have no need_) conclude the former verse. The words, “But God hath tempered,” commence a new sentence, in which the natural practice of covering parts of the body is stated to be in harmony with God’s evident intention.... [ Continue Reading ]
THAT THERE SHOULD BE NO SCHISM. — The existence of differences of gifts in the Church had been used by the Corinthians to cause schisms, exalting some gifts and depreciating others, when this very variety in the Church ought, as was the intention of variety in the human body, to create a mutual depe... [ Continue Reading ]
AND WHETHER ONE MEMBER SUFFER. — This verse completes the statement of the perfect unity of the members in one body and with one another. They are not only physically joined together, but they are so united as to feel together.... [ Continue Reading ]
NOW. — We have here in general terms the application of the foregoing illustration, the detailed application of which follows in 1 Corinthians 12:28. The Apostles were those selected by our Lord Himself, or afterwards elected by them to join that body. (On prophets and teachers, see 1 Corinthians 12... [ Continue Reading ]
BUT COVET OARNESTLY, — Better, _But earnestly seek the better gifts._ All this argument is not meant to check ardour and to damp enthusiasm. The Spirit divideth to every man as He wills, but He wills to give to each the best gift that each desires and is capable of receiving. The receptivity which c... [ Continue Reading ]