12:1 Now concerning spiritual [gifts], brethren, I would not have you ignorant.
[2] {spiritual gifts} The word pneumatika, lit.
"spirituals," i.e. matters of or from th Holy Spirit, givesthe key to Chapters 12., 13., 14. Chapter 12 concerns the spirit in relation to the body of Christ. This relatio is twofold: (1) The baptism with the Spirit forms the body by unitin believers to Christ the risen and glorified Head, and to each othe (vs 12,13). The symbol of the body thus formed is the natural, huma body (v. 12), and all the analogies are freely used (vs 14-26). (2 To each believer is given a spiritual enablement and capacity fo specific service. No believer is destitute of such gift (vs 7, 11 27), but in their distribution the Spirit acts in free sovereignt (v. 11). There is no room for self-choosing, and Christian servic is simply the ministry of such gift as the individual may hav received (cf # Ro 12:4- The gifts are diverse (vs. 6, 8-10, 28-30), but all are equall honourable because bestowed by the same Spirit, administered under th same Lord, and energized by the same God.
12:2 Ye know that ye were Gentiles, carried away unto these dumb idols, even as ye were led.
12:3 Wherefore I give you to understand, that no man speaking by the Spirit of God calleth Jesus accursed: and [that] no man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost.
12:4 Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit.
12:5 And there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord.
12:6 And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all.
12:7 But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal.
12:8 For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit;
12:9 To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit;
12:10 To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another [divers] kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues:
[1] {prophecy} The N.T. prophet is not ordinarily a foreteller, but rather forth-teller, one whose gift enabled him to speak "to edification, an exhortation, and comfort # 1Co 14:3
12:11 But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will.
12:12 For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also [is] Christ.
12:13 For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether [we be] Jews or Gentiles, whether [we be] bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit. 12:14 For the body is not one member, but many.
12:15 If the foot shall say, Because I am not the hand, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body?
12:16 And if the ear shall say, Because I am not the eye, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body?
12:17 If the whole body [were] an eye, where [were] the hearing? If the whole [were] hearing, where [were] the smelling?
12:18 But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him.
12:19 And if they were all one member, where [were] the body?
12:20 But now [are they] many members, yet but one body. 12:21 And the eye cannot say unto the hand, I have no need of thee: nor again the head to the feet, I have no need of you.
12:22 Nay, much more those members of the body, which seem to be more feeble, are necessary:
12:23 And those [members] of the body, which we think to be less honourable, upon these we bestow more abundant honour; and our uncomely [parts] have more abundant comeliness. 12:24 For our comely [parts] have no need: but God hath tempered the body together, having given more abundant honour to that [part] which lacked:
12:25 That there should be no schism in the body; but [that] the members should have the same care one for another.
12:26 And whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it; or one member be honoured, all the members rejoice with it.
12:27 Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular.
12:28 And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues.
12:29 [Are] all apostles? [are] all prophets? [are] all teachers? [are] all workers of miracles?
12:30 Have all the gifts of healing? do all speak with tongues? do all interpret?
12:31 But covet earnestly the best gifts: and yet shew I unto you a more excellent way.
[2] {more excellent} Chapter 13. continues the pneumatika begun in Chapter 12. Gifts ar good, but only if ministered in love (13.1,2). Benevolence is good, bu not apart from love (13.3). Love is described (13.4-7). Love is bette than our present incomplete knowledge (13.8-12), and greater than eve faith and hope (v. 13).
