1 Corinthians 12: Many Gifts But One Spirit

(NRSV, 1989)

Thank you for listening to First Day. Please like, subscribe, and share. My goal is to reach seventy new listeners each series by the end of 2024, and you can help make that happen. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out to me. 

Paul ends chapter eleven criticizing those in the Corinthian church who are participating in Holy Communion with selfish and self-centered motives. Communion is meant to build up the Body of Christ so that the Body might go out and be God’s righteousness in the world; it is intended to make us one in the Lord. This is not what was happening in Corinth; they seem to have forgotten who they have become in Christ Jesus and have lost their way. Of course, this misunderstanding of the meaning and purpose of the Lord’s Table is merely indicative of Corinth’s overarching problem of self-centeredness and pride. They even are using the spiritual gifts with which God has provided them to jockey for position. 

Now concerning spiritual gifts: brothers and sisters, I do not want you to be unaware. You know that when you were pagans, you used to be enticed and led astray by mute idols. Therefore I want you to know that no one speaking by the Spirit of God says, “Jesus is cursed,” and no one can say, “Jesus is Lord,” except by the Holy Spirit.

Paul leaves the Corinthians no room to brag. Any positive assertion—any spiritual gift—is from the Spirit of God. They have come their faith in God through Christ Jesus and the presence of the Spirit. This is good-old prevenient grace: We can choose God only because God has made it possible for us to do so. It is unlikely that anyone in the Corinthian church as stating that “Jesus is cursed,” although no one can say for certain, one way or the other. Here, Paul is making the point that it is because of the presence of the Spirit that the Corinthians church even exists. The Spirit will make no one curse Jesus, and only the Spirit can allow one to bless Jesus. Paul couches this discussion on the differing gifts in that same Spirit.

Now there are different gifts, but the same Spirit. There are different ministries, but the same Lord. And there are different activities, but the same God works all of them in each person. A manifestation of the Spirit is given to each person for the common good: to one is given a message of wisdom through the Spirit, to another, a message of knowledge by the same Spirit, to another, faith by the same Spirit, to another, gifts of healing by the one Spirit, to another, the performing of miracles, to another, prophecy, to another, distinguishing between spirits, to another, different kinds of tongues, to another, interpretation of tongues. 11 One and the same Spirit is active in all these, distributing to each person as he wills.

The Corinthians have used their wisdom, their baptism, their daily practices, and even the Lord’s Supper to separate and distinguish themselves one from the other. All in an attempt say, “I am better than you.” So, holier-than-thouism has been alive and active for a long time. So far, Paul has been able to stress oneness in Corinthian church: one baptism, one Lord, one table, one faith. But with differing spiritual gifts being present in the church—in fact being necessary in it—Paul may have his work cut out for him. Paul tells the Corinthians that although they possess different gifts, the foundation of all of them is in ONE Spirit. Like the ability to say that “Jesus is Lord,” none have a right to claim any special status, though they really want to. “A manifestation of the Spirit is given to each person for the common good…distributing to each person as he wills.” Additionally, these differing gifts are active only because the Spirit remains active in Corinthians and that is only “for the common good.” 

Like Holy Communion which doesn’t even exist if it is not being used to build community, if a believer is attempting to use his or her gift for any other purpose than for the common good, the “spiritual” part will be missing, since the Spirit “is active…distributing to each person as he wills.” This is a serious problem in the Church today in my estimation. We often assume that the Spirit is with us, that God is on our side, regardless of our motivations and purposes. Only God gives us the ability to say yes, and only God can empower us to do what He wills. And if we aren’t seeking the same thing that God is, why would be reasonable for us to assume that He is going to send His Spirit, His power to us? 

When we list these gifts of the Spirit, these charismata, it is clearly evident how they could be used to elevate the status and standing of individuals within the church: wisdom, knowledge, faith, healing, miracles, prophecy, discernment between spirits, speaking different languages, and interpreting different languages. These gifts, it appears, have been present at one time or another in the Corinthian church—and have likely been misunderstood at best and abused at worst—particularly, it seems, the gift of tongues, or glossolalia. Interestingly, Paul lists faith as a gift of the Spirit, so it is something that every Corinthian has. So, like all the other gifts, faith is given by God for a purpose, and we should expect that if our faith is useless it, too, can be taken away. (Just something to think about.)

I will not go into detail about each, specific charismata here and now, because this is not Paul’s point for mentioning them. His point he makes evidently clear: All gifts that are given by God come with strings attached—and none of those strings are for any individual believer to lord his or her gift over others. This is made quite clear in verses twelve and thirteen.

For just as the body is one and has many parts, and all the parts of that body, though many, are one body—so also is Christ. For we were all baptized by one Spirit into one body—whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free—and we were all given one Spirit to drink. Indeed, the body is not one part but many.

Charismata have been given to the Corinthian church to bring it together to work toward a single goal. And they are given for reasons only God knows to whomever God desires, “Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free”. 

If the foot should say, “Because I’m not a hand, I don’t belong to the body,” it is not for that reason any less a part of the body. And if the ear should say, “Because I’m not an eye, I don’t belong to the body,” it is not for that reason any less a part of the body.

Paul dishes out some pastoral theology here that we should probably heed. Why do we Christians insist on judging ourselves through comparison to other Christians? This applies equally to our own feelings of inadequacy and to our own feelings of superiority. 

If the whole body were an eye, where would the hearing be? If the whole body were an ear, where would the sense of smell be? But as it is, God has arranged each one of the parts in the body just as he wanted. And if they were all the same part, where would the body be? As it is, there are many parts, but one body. The eye cannot say to the hand, “I don’t need you!” Or again, the head can’t say to the feet, “I don’t need you!

Since all Christians are different, their charismata will also differ. And the Body of Christ requires all to function as they have been gifted for the sake of the mission of the God’s kingdom. I picture Mike Witkowski, but even there he is more than just an eye. Yes, the congregation’s members must be different and their functions distinguishable, but not one of them is better. 

On the contrary, those parts of the body that are weaker are indispensable. And those parts of the body that we consider less honorable, we clothe these with greater honor, and our unrespectable parts are treated with greater respect, which our respectable parts do not need.

Interestingly, Paul states that, if anything, those parts of the Body, those spiritual gifts and acts of service, that are “less honorable” are “treated with greater respect”. I’ll assume you know of what body parts he speaks of here. But they are parts of the body that, if they were not functioning properly life would become infinitely more difficult and unpleasant. I can’t help but think about Forrest Gump’s Lt. Dan. “There are two standing rules in this outfit. One, take care of your feet. Two, don’t go doing something stupid, like getting yourself killed.” Maybe we should start calling him Lt. Paul. 

Instead, God has put the body together, giving greater honor to the less honorable, so that there would be no division in the body, but that the members would have the same concern for each other. So if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; if one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it.

How the church today should heed this teaching without trying to caveat it. The Corinthians should be working to become more involved with one another’s faith; they should be striving to become more empathic and less egocentric. Empathy is missing in our world today—one that is fractured and fighting—one where every part demands that every other part submit to it—and, sadly, it is a quality lacking in the Church today. I wish I could argue that its absence is the main indication that Church has become nothing more than social club—albeit one that uses religious words—but we all know from experience that Christians oft times treat one another worse than they do people they fraternize with socially. 

Now you are the body of Christ, and individual members of it. And God has appointed these in the church: first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, next miracles, then gifts of healing, helping, leading, various kinds of tongues. Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all do miracles? Do all have gifts of healing? Do all speak in tongues? Do all interpret? But desire the greater gifts. And I will show you an even better way.

Here in this final section of the chapter, Paul appears to contradict himself at first glance. He ranks eight charismata: “This is the one we should be striving to possess.” What about everyone different, equal, and necessary? It is here, however, that Paul gives us a glimpse of what specifically is the Corinthians’ problem concerning charismata: speaking in tongues. This spiritual gift is desired more than any other gift by the Corinthians. We aren’t told why this is, exactly, but I will hazard a guess: Speaking in *tongues is showy, incredibly unique, and isn’t very costly to the gift’s recipient. What more desirable gift would there be for a Corinthian considering what we have learned about them thus far in Paul’s letter?

What is First Day?

Welcome to the First Day Podcast page.

We hope that you will find in each episode something that helps you grow stronger in your faith.

God is starting something new in you!

Patrick: 00:12

Thank you for listening to FirstDay. Please like, subscribe, and share. My goal is to reach 70 new listeners with each series by the end of 2020 24, and you can help make that happen. If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to reach out to me at connect at first day dot us. Paul ends chapter 11 criticizing those in the Corinthian church who are participating in holy communion with selfish and self centered motives.

Patrick: 00:45

Communion is meant to build up the body of Christ so that the body might go out and be God's righteousness in the world. It is intended to make us 1 in the Lord. This is not what is happening in Corinth. They seem to have forgotten who they have become in Christ Jesus and they've lost their way. Of course, this misunderstanding of the meaning and the purpose of the Lord's table is merely indicative of Corinth's over arching problem of self centeredness and pride.

Patrick: 01:22

They even are using spiritual gifts with which God has provided them to junky for position. Paul begins chapter 12 by saying, now concerning spiritual gifts, brothers and sisters, I do not want you to be unaware. You know that when you were pagans, you used to be enticed and led astray by mute idols. Therefore, I want you to know that no 1 speaking by the spirit of God says, Jesus is cursed. And no 1 can say Jesus is Lord except by the Holy Spirit.

Patrick: 01:59

Paul leaves the Corinthians no room to brag here. Any positive assertion, any spiritual gift is from the spirit of God. They have come to their faith in God through Christ Jesus and by the presence of the Holy Spirit. This is good old prevenient grace, we Methodists would say. We can choose God only because God has made it possible for us to do so.

Patrick: 02:29

It is unlikely that anyone in the Corinthian church is stating that Jesus is cursed, although nobody can say for certain 1 way or the other. Here, Paul is making a point that it is because of the presence of the spirit that the Corinthian church even exists. The spirit will make no 1 curse Jesus, and only the spirit can allow 1 to bless Jesus. Paul couches this discussion on the differing gifts that are given to the people in the name of that same Spirit. Verse number 4.

Patrick: 03:11

Now there are different gifts, but the same spirit. There are different ministries, but the same Lord. There are different activities, but the same god works all of them in each person. A manifestation of the spirit is given to each person for the common good. To 1 is given a message of wisdom through the spirit.

Patrick: 03:35

To another, a message of knowledge by the same spirit. To another, faith by the same spirit. To another, gifts of healing by 1 spirit. To another, the performing of miracles. To another, prophecy.

Patrick: 03:50

To another, distinguishing between spirits. To another, different kinds of tongues. To another interpretation of tongues. 1 and the same spirit is active in all these, distributing to each person as He wills. The Corinthians have used their wisdom, their baptism, their daily practices, and even the Lord's supper to separate and distinguish themselves 1 from the other.

Patrick: 04:21

This is a summary really of everything that has happened in 1 Corinthians thus far. All of this has been used in an attempt to say, I am better than you. So, holier than thouism has been alive and active in the church for a very long time. So far, Paul has been able to stress oneness in the Corinthian church. It is 1 baptism, 1 Lord, 1 table, 1 faith.

Patrick: 04:54

But with differing spiritual gifts being present in the church, in fact, differing spiritual gifts being necessary in the church, Paul here may have his work cut out for him when it comes to the Corinthians. Paul tells the Corinthians that although they possess different gifts, the foundation of all of these gifts is in 1 spirit. Like the ability to say Jesus is Lord. None have the right to claim any special status, though they may really want to. He says, a manifestation of the spirit is given to each person for the common good, distributing to each person as he wills.

Patrick: 05:39

Additionally, these differing gifts are active only because the spirit remains active in the Corinthians. And for that sake, it only remains active for the common good. Like holy communion, which doesn't even exist if it is not being used to build up the community. If a believer is attempting to use his or her gift for any other purpose other than the common good, the spiritual part will be missing since the spirit, quote, is active, distributing to each person as he wills. This is a serious problem in the church today in my estimation, not just for the Corinthians.

Patrick: 06:33

We often assume that the spirit is with us, that God is on our side regardless of our motivations or purposes. Only God gives us the ability to say yes and only God can empower us to do what he wills. And if we aren't seeking the same thing as God is, why is it reasonable for us to assume that he is going to continue to send his spirit to empower us? If our goals and our ends are at odds with the divine purpose, why should we reasonably expect god to continue to honor us with the presence of the spirit? When we list these gifts of the spirit, these charasmata, it is clearly evident how they could be used to elevate the status and standing individuals within the church.

Patrick: 07:33

Here they are. It's wisdom, it's the charismatic. So these are the charismatic. Wisdom, knowledge, faith, healing, miracles, prophecy, discernment between spirits, speaking different languages or tongues, and interpreting different languages and tongues. These gifts, it appears, have been present at 1 time or another in the Corinthian church and have likely been misunderstood at best and abused at worst.

Patrick: 08:07

And particularly, it seems that the gift of tongues, also called glossolalia, is 1 that is of particular, concern for Paul. Interestingly, Paul lists faith as a gift of the Spirit. So, it's something that every Corinthian has. So like all of the other gifts, faith is given by God here for a purpose. And we should expect that if our faith is useless, it too can be taken away.

Patrick: 08:43

That's just something to think about. I won't go into detail about each specific charismatic here and now because this is not Paul's point for mentioning them. His point is evidently clear though. All gifts that are given by God come with strings attached and none of those strings are for any individual believer to lord his or her gift over others. This is made quite clear in verses 1213.

Patrick: 09:18

For just as the body is 1 and has many parts, and all the parts of that body, though many, are 1 body, so also is Christ. For we were all baptized by 1 Spirit into 1 body, whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free. And we were all given 1 spirit to drink. Indeed, the body is not 1 part, but many. Charismata have been given to the Corinthian church to bring it together to work toward a single goal.

Patrick: 09:58

And these gifts, these charismatic are given for reasons that only God knows and they're given to whomever God desires, to Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free. Chapter 12 verse 15. If the foot says, because I am not a hand, I don't belong to the body, it is not for that reason any less a part of the body. And if the ear should say, because I am not an eye, I don't belong to the body, It is not for that reason, any less a part of the body. Paul dishes out some pastoral theology here that we should probably heed.

Patrick: 10:41

Why do we Christians insist on judging ourselves through comparison to other Christians? This applies equally to our own feelings of inadequacy and our own feelings of superiority. Just because the foot is not a hand, it doesn't mean it's any less a part of the body. Just because the ear is not an eye, it doesn't make it any less a part of the body. Verse 17.

Patrick: 11:10

If the whole body were an eye, where would the hearing be? If the whole body were an ear, where would the sense of smell be? But as it is, God has arranged each 1 of the parts of the body just as he wanted. And if there were all the same part, where would the body be? As it is, there are many parts but 1 body.

Patrick: 11:35

The eye cannot say to the hand, I don't need you. Or again, the head say to the feet, I don't need you. So since all Christians are different, their charasmata will also differ. And the body of Christ requires all to function as they have been grafted for the sake of a single mission, which is the bringing about of God's kingdom. I picture a Mike Wachowski here, from Monsters Inc, just a gigantic eyeball with hands and legs, arms and legs.

Patrick: 12:09

But even there, you see, Mike Wachowski is more than just an eye. Since the congregation's members must be different and their functions must be distinguishable from each other, but not 1 of them is better than the other. This is Paul's point here. Verse 22, he says, on the contrary, those parts of the body that are weaker are indispensable and those parts of the body that we consider less honorable, we clothe these with greater honor and our unrespectable parts are treated with greater respect, which our respectable parts do not need. Interestingly, Paul states that if anything, those parts of the body, those spiritual gifts and acts of service that are less honorable are treated with greater respect.

Patrick: 13:05

I'll assume you know what parts of the bodies he's speaking of here, but they are parts of the body that if they were not functioning properly, life would become infinitely more difficult and I can't help but think about Forrest Gump's lieutenant Dan, when he says, there are 2 standing rules in this outfit. 1, take care of your feet. 2, don't go doing something stupid like get yourself killed. Maybe we should start calling him Lieutenant Paul. Instead, he writes, God has put the body together giving greater honor to the less honorable, so that there would be no division in the body, but that the members would have the same concern for each other.

Patrick: 13:54

So if 1 member suffers, all the members suffer with it. If 1 member is honored, all members rejoice with it. How the church today should heed this teaching without taking a caveat to it? The Corinthians should be working to become more involved with each other's faith. They should be striving to become more empathetic and less egocentric.

Patrick: 14:19

Empathy is unfortunately something that's missing in our world today, just apparently like it was 2000 years ago. 1 that is fractured and fighting 2000 years ago in a world today that is fractured and fighting, even the church. 1 where every part demands that the other part submit to it. And sadly, it is a quality lacking in the church. I wish I could argue that this the absence is the main indication that the church has become nothing more than a social club, albeit 1 that uses religious words, but we all know from experience that Christians oftentimes treat each other worse than they do when they fraternize socially.

Patrick: 15:05

Verse number 27. Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it, And Christ has appointed these in the church, 1st apostles, 2nd prophets, 3rd teachers, miracle workers, then gifts of healing, helping, leading various kinds of tongues. Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Or all teachers?

Patrick: 15:31

Do all do miracles? Do all have gifts of healing? Do all speak in tongues? Do all interpret? But desire the greater gifts, and I will show you an even better way.

Patrick: 15:44

Here in this final section of the chapter, Paul appears to contradict himself at first glance. He ranks 8 charasmodem. This is the 1 we should be striving to possess. What about everyone being different or equal or necessary? It is here, however, that Paul gives us a glimpse of what specifically is the Corinthians' problem concerning charismatic and that happens to be speaking in tongues.

Patrick: 16:18

This spiritual gift is desired amongst the Corinthians more than any other gift. They aren't told why this is exactly, but I will hazard to guess. Speaking in tongues is showy, incredibly unique, and isn't very costly to the gift's recipient. What more desirable gift would there be for the Corinthians who consider everything they do to elevate themselves 1 over the other? Consider everything that Paul has written to the Corinthians about so far.

Patrick: 16:57

What better gift to have if you're seeking to say, I am better than you, than the gift of tongues. Thank you for listening to FirstDay. I am Patrick Cooley. Please, like and subscribe and share so the audience of FirstDay can continue to grow. So until next time, blessings and goodbye for now.