Today's Reading: 1 Corinthians 12:1-13

Daily Lectionary: 2 Samuel 12:1-25, 1 Corinthians 12:1-13

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. The Corinthians have  a lot of questions. Apparently, they had asked Paul to teach them about “spiritual” things. The word “gifts” is actually not in 12:1. Paul does talk about gracious gifts of the Spirit starting in 12:4, but the Corinthians’ question was broader: what are “spiritual” things, because they seem to be competing with one another for the most spiritual, as the end of chapter 12 through chapter 13 shows.

They wanted to know about “the things of the Spirit.” Sometimes we want to separate “spiritual” things from “physical” things, as if the Spirit has nothing to do with our everyday lives, but is only concerned about “deeper” or “higher” things. But all of it is in the realm of the Holy Spirit! For those who have been reborn in Christ by water and the Spirit (John 3:5), all things are “spiritual.” 

The “gracious (gifts)” (where we get our English word “charismatic,” but which really refers to God’s gracious or free giving) of which Paul begins to speak in 12:4 are related to any and all things that the Christian does, especially in loving service to the neighbor. It is a Trinitarian work in and through us: one Spirit; one Lord (Jesus); one God (the Father) (12:4-6). Paul does not give an exhaustive list here of all the gifts the Spirit gives. His point is not that we all find ourselves in this list, but that the Spirit gives as the Spirit pleases. The Spirit orchestrates the work of the members of Christ’s body for the good of one another, as He sees fit (12:11, 18). Some of these gracious gifts are more “spectacular” than others, but none of them is expendable. The summary point is 12:7: “To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good,” or for the benefit of the whole body. 

So what gifts has the Lord graciously given you, baptized and remade by His Spirit? What talents? At what things do your parents, friends, teachers, or pastors say you are good? Whatever it is, it is a “spiritual” thing, because you have been given the Spirit in baptism. Spiritual people do all things in the Spirit, and all for the good of others. You are, with all the other baptized believers, one Body in Christ. God has set up the Body perfectly according to His will, and He uses each person as He chooses. He has chosen you in Christ for His own purposes, and you can rejoice in the Spirit that God knows exactly what He’s doing with you. In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

How clear is our vocation, Lord, When once we heed Your call: To live according to Your Word And daily learn, refreshed, restored, That You are Lord of all And will not let us fall (LSB 853:1).

- Pastor Timothy Winterstein is pastor at Faith Lutheran Church, East Wenatchee, Washington.