A. Source of the gifts: the Holy Spirit
1. (1-3) Introduction to the topic of spiritual gifts
a. Literally, Paul is now addressing spirituals, after discussing all the areas of Corinthian carnality–but the gifts is justified by context
b. They are reminded (as we should be) that our background has perhaps given us wrong views of the Holy Spirit and His gifts
i. It is easy for us to take our material-istic or superstitious views into our view of spiritual gifts
c. A broad rule: judge spiritual things by how they relate to Jesus Christ; do they glorify Him? Do they promote the true Jesus, or a false one?
2. (4-6) Diversity and unity of the gifts
a. The gifts are rather diverse; but there is only one Giver, who works through the diverse gifts
b. Notice the unobtrusive Trinitarianism of verses 4-6; the Holy Spirit, Lord Jesus, and Father God
3. (7-11) The varieties of the manifestations of the Spirit
a. The Holy Spirit is always present in and among believers; but He may choose to manifest Himself among willing people at a particular occasion
i. But don’t think that the Holy Spirit is “more” present when gifts are manifested; He’s always there, we can just see Him better
b. Notice that the manifestation of the Spirit has a purpose: to benefit the whole church, not just a particular individual
c. Discriptions of gifts as mentioned:
i. The word of wisdom: to speak forth the wisdom of God in a certain situation, as Stephen (Acts 7), or Paul (Acts 23) did
ii. The word of knowledge: to speak forth knowledge that could only be revealed supernaturally, as Jesus (Matthew 17:24-27) or Paul (Acts 27:10, 23-26), or the man who preached to young Spurgeon did
iii. The gift of faith: though faith is an intregal part of every Christian’s life, the gift of faith is the unique ability to trust God against all circumstances, as Peter (Matthew 14:22-33) and George Mueller had
iv. Gifts of healing: God’s healing power, either given or received, as repeatedly documented in the New Testament and since
v. Working of miracles: when the Holy Spirit chooses to “over-ride” the laws of nature (as a pilot might use manual controls), working in or through an available person
vi. Prophecy: the telling-forth of God’s message in a particular situation, always in accord with His Word and His current work
vii. Discerning of Spirits: the ability to tell the difference between true and false doctrine, and between what is of the Holy Spirit and what isn’t
viii. The gift of tongues: the ability to speak to God, using a spiritual language beyond the limits of the speaker’s understanding
ix. The gift of the interpretation of tongues: allows the gift of tongues to be of benefit for those other than the speaker, as they are able to hear and agree with the tongue-speakers words to God
d. Verse 11 gives a proper focus: the gifts are given at the Spirit’s prerogative, and not always given according to the criteria we would choose
i. Don’t assume that giftedness equals maturity
e. Never forget the Holy Spirit’s goal: not to amaze or confuse, but to build the fruit of the Spirit; and he will use or not use any gift He thinks right towards that end
f. Though they are given as the Spirit wills, they still must be received with faith by the believer; and the receiving and exercising of the gifts is often very natural
B. The diversity and unity of the gifts of the Holy Spirit
1. (12-14) The fact: believers all belong to a greater unit, the body of Christ
a. Paul states a fact: all Christians, by definition, belong to this body; but not all are funtioning in the body of Christ
2. (15-20) An illustration of the fact: a human body
a. The illustration is both humorous and striking; yet how often do we resent others in the body because they aren’t what we think they should be?
b. How are people put into their position? Just as He pleased; this is God shaping and molding us as an expert potter
c. Everybody has something; nobody has everything
3. (21-26) The illustration extended to show that less “glamorous” parts of the body are just as important
a. A human body often gives more attention to the less “glamorous” parts of the body; so should we
b. And, as in a human body, no part is unimportant
4. (27-31) God distributes gifts and callings according to His pleasure
a. Apostles are “special ambassadors” of the church; Paul and others in his day had a unique apostolic authority, but others today may be apsotles in a sense
b. Prophets are those particularly called to speak forth for God with the gift of prophecy; there was a foundational uniqeness to this gift as well (Ephesians 2:19-20), although there are those who fulfill this office today in a sense
i. However, if one will take upon themselves the title of prophet today, let them be held to the standard of a prophet: 100% accuracy, in every word (Deuteronomy 18:20-22)
c. Workers of miracles: those used of God to do miracles; though on the Holy Spirit’s intiative, not their own
d. Gifts of healings: those used of God to heal others; though on the Holy Spirit’s intiative, not their own
e. Speak with tongues, interpret: those gifted to either speak in tongues or interpret those tongues
i. Paul’s most plain meaning is that the gift of tongues is not for every believer, for whatever reason; great damage has been done in the church by promoting tongues as manditory of real Christian living or as the evidence of the Holy Spirit’s presence
f. Though the Holy Spirit gives the gifts, it is good and proper for us to desire them, and to ask for them–all in submission to the plan of God
g. Paul will explain that more excellent way in chapter 13