March 17, 2024
1 Corinthians 12:1-11
“Surprise! You’re Gifted!”
Service Overview: One of the great things about being a part of Christ’s kingdom is that his Spirit gifts each one of us in unique ways that play a special role in his kingdom. Each gift is vital for the proper functioning of the church, and we’ve been given these gifts precisely so that we can be a gift to others.
Memory Verse for the Week:
“There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone it is the same God at work.” 1 Corinthians 12:4-6 (NIV)
Background Insights:
- The words “spiritual gifts” refer to special abilities given by the Holy Spirit to every believer that are to be used to minister to the needs of the body of believers. The word “gifts” in Greek is charismata; it comes from the same root wood as the word “grace” (charis). Freely bestowed by God, the gifts are special endowments given to believers to enable them to do extraordinary work for God. (Grant R. Osborne, 1 & 2 Corinthians, 165)
- Spiritual gifts, unfortunately, were not uniting the church in Corinth; they were dividing the church. It was obvious that some of the Corinthians were placing such an inordinate emphasis on showy displays of spirituality, particularly speaking in tongues, that it was disrupting the church’s worship, dividing the church’s fellowship, and demeaning the witness of the gospel (Richard B. Hays, First Corinthians, 206).
- Based on this passage as well as a few others (Rom. 12:6-8; Eph. 4:11; 1 Pet. 4:10-11), we can observe the great diversity of gifts given to the church for its edification. These could be categorized into “support gifts” (apostleship, prophecy, evangelism, pastoring, teaching), “service gifts” (administrations, exhortation, faith, giving, helps, mercy), and “sign gifts” (discerning spirits, miracles, healings, tongues, interpretation of tongues). Paul emphasizes how these various gifts are meant to function together harmoniously for the common good. (Charles R. Swindoll, Insights on 1 & 2 Corinthians, 182)
- The next section (vv. 4–11) lays the foundation of Paul’s understanding of spiritual gifts in the church. They are, first of all, gifts (charismata), signs of God’s free grace. Furthermore, they are distributed in the community in diverse ways. This means that the church can never be homogeneous; it is to be made up of various individuals exercising different gifts and ministries “for the common good” (v. 7). (Richard B. Hays, First Corinthians, 210)
- “Speaking in tongues” (glossolalia) must not be confused with what happened to the disciples at Pentecost. There the audience understood what was being proclaimed without benefit of an interpreter (Acts 2:1–13); here an interpretation is required. (Craig L. Blomberg, 1 Corinthians, 327)
What is crucial to unpack from what Paul shares here about spiritual gifts?
- What they are; spiritual skills for kingdom service.
(vv. 1, 7, 11 | Acts 1:8; Rom. 12:4-8; Ephesians 4:11-13; 2 Timothy 1:6-7 ; 1 Peter 4:10-11)
Spiritual gifts, simply put, are supernatural endowments that enable us to carry out God’s work in God’s way. They are provided by the grace of God, and they are powered by the Spirit of God. They truly are supernatural gifts. (Daniel L. Akin, 1 Corinthians, 240)
A spiritual gift is a graciously given supernaturally designed ability granted to every believer by which the Holy Spirit ministers to the body of Christ. Spiritual gifts are divine enablements for ministry that the Holy Spirit gives in some measure to all believers. They are to be completely under His control and used for the building of the church to Christ’s glory… A spiritual gift cannot be earned, pursued, or worked up. It is merely “received” through the grace of God… Spiritual gifts are not for the exaltation of the one with the gift, but to be used in loving concern for the benefit of others in the church. (John MacArthur, Romans, 78)
- Where they’re from; the sovereign and triune God.
(vv. 1, 4-6, 11 | Mat 28:19; Luke 3:22; John 1:1; 14:26; 15:26; 1 Cor 8:6; Col 2:9; 1 Pet. 1:2)
(vv. 4–6). There is a trinitarian emphasis here: “the same Spirit … the same Lord … the same God.” We individually may have different gifts, ministries, and ways of working, but “it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure” (Phil. 2:13). (Warren W. Wiersbe, Be Wise, 136)
Gifts are actually Trinitarian in nature. God the Father has given us the gift of God the Son for our salvation. God the Son has given us God the Holy Spirit for our sanctification, but God the Holy Spirit has given us spiritual gifts for our service. (Daniel L. Akin, Exalting Jesus in 1 Corinthians, 240)
- Who and what they’re for; each believer, for the common good.
(v. 7 | Rom. 12:4-5; 1 Cor. 14:26; Eph. 4:12, 16; 1 Thess. 5:11; Hebr. 10:24-25; 1 Peter 4:10)
God has spiritually gifted each one of us. In the same way that each member of an orchestra plays a specific instrument, each member of God’s family has been given specific gifts that manifest the active presence of the Holy Spirit. (Charles R. Swindoll, 1 & 2 Corinthians, 182)
All of us have been gifted differently, but all of us have been gifted perfectly. (Daniel L. Akin, 1 Corinthians, 241)
The gifts are given for the good of the whole church. They are not for individual enjoyment, but for corporate employment. The Corinthians especially needed this reminder, because they were using their spiritual gifts selfishly to promote themselves and not to prosper the church. (Warren W. Wiersbe, Be Wise, 136)
- What they’re NOT for… comparison.
(vv. 8-10 | Romans 12:3; 1 Corinthians 4:7; Galatians 2:20; Philippians 2:3; 2 Timothy 2:15)
Christians are not assembly-line productions, with every unit being exactly like every other unit. Consequently, no Christian can replace another in God’s plan. He has His own individualized plan for each of us and has individually gifted us accordingly. We are not interchangeable parts in Christ’s Body. (John MacArthur, Ephesians, 137)
Conclusion… What challenges present themselves in light of this text?
A. The challenge to discover.
One of the marks of an individual’s maturity is a growing understanding of, and appreciation for, his own body. There is a parallel in the spiritual life: As we mature in Christ, we gain a better understanding of the church, which is Christ’s body. (Warren W. Wiersbe, Be Wise, 135)
God has given you a spiritual gift, and it is not the same as a natural ability. That natural talent, rightly sanctified for God’s use, often points toward the identity of your spiritual gift. But you should find out the special gift God has given you while you’re serving as diligently as you can without that definite information. In fact, in addition to the study of Scripture, the best way to discover and confirm which spiritual gift is yours is through serving. (Donald S. Whitney, Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life, 124)
B. The challenge to deploy.
God’s gifts are not given capriciously; neither are they given in such a way that the option for their use is left with us. As the gifts are discovered they are to be developed and used to the full in His service and to His glory. God distributes His gifts for His purposes and for the good of His people. His sovereign administration of these gifts must be acknowledged as right and proper by His people, even when they cannot see the good. (Jay Adams, Christian Living in the Home, 60)
Not to use our gift is an affront to God’s wisdom, a rebuff of His love and grace, and a loss to His church. We did not determine our gift, deserve it, or earn it. But we all have a gift from the Lord, and if we do not use it, His work is weakened and His heart is grieved. (John MacArthur, Ephesians, 137)
In a land still heavily influenced by a heritage of rugged individualism, believers need to work ever harder to demonstrate that Christianity is not a merely personal religion but fundamentally corporate. Even evangelical language for conversion betrays this bias: a “personal relationship with Jesus Christ.” That is the necessary starting point, but we dare not stop until that relationship leads to intimate interpersonal relationships with other Christians. (Blomberg, 339)
Gospel Connection…
In Christ, you are not merely saved, but gifted; gifted to serve Christ, His people, and His purposes.
(Acts 1:8; Rom. 12:4-8; Ephesians 4:11-13; 2 Timothy 1:6-7; 1 Peter 4:10-11)
In our battles with sin, we need a team of people. We need teachers to help us understand Scripture, prophets to help us apply it, interceders to pray for us, preachers to focus our eyes on Christ, encouragers to remind us of God’s grace when we feel like failures, wise men and women to discern when we are making foolish decisions, and people of faith to tell us that everything God has said is true in Christ. In other words, God’s gifts to us are people – not just one person, but the church. This is how Christ meets us. The reason we need so many people is that we need Christ Himself. (Edward Welch, Addictions: A Banquet in the Grave, 252)
Spiritual Challenge Questions…
Reflect on these questions in your time with the Lord this week, or discuss with a Christian family member or Life Group.
- What costs might arise if Christians remain uninformed about spiritual gifts?
- Why is exercising a spiritual gift no guarantee of spiritual maturity nor an indicator that one belongs to a great church?
- What is the difference between a used gift and an abused gift?
- Can someone abuse his or her gifts while appearing to use them faithfully? If so, how?
- Why is it significant that no one Christian has every spiritual gift?
- What are your gifts? How are you using them?
Quotes to note…
Our reading of these two preliminary chapters should always keep in mind the particular pastoral goal toward which Paul is working: He is seeking to bring the disorderly and self-centered worship practices of the Corinthians under control so that the church as a whole may be built up (14:5, 12, 26, 40). (Richard B. Hays, First Corinthians, 206)
God has made us different that he might make us one. (Daniel L. Akin, Exalting Jesus in 1 Corinthians, 242)
We should not be so fascinated by the individual gifts that we forget the main reason why Paul listed them: to remind us that they unite us in our ministries to the one body. (Warren W. Wiersbe, Be Wise, 138)
The Holy Spirit gives “different kinds of spiritual gifts” (12:4) to be used in serving the church and building up the body of Christ. This chapter does not give an exhaustive list of spiritual gifts (for other lists, see Romans 12:4-8; Ephesians 4:11-13; 1 Peter 4:10-11). Believers have different gifts, and some believers have more than one gift. All spiritual gifts come from God, and their purpose is to build up Christ’s body, the church. (Grant R. Osborne, 1 & 2 Corinthians, 165)
This section of 1 Corinthians goes on to 14.40, and the inclusion in it of the exhortation to love (13.1-13) is essential to Paul’s argument. The argument of 12.1-14.40 might be summed up thus in one sentence: “The primary token of the indwelling Spirit, the indispensable evidence that one is truly “‘spiritual’’, is not glossolalia, but love.’ (Gordon D. Fee, The New International Commentary on the New Testament: 1 Corinthians, 117)
Anyone can claim to speak for God, and the world is full of false teachers. Paul gives a test to help believers discern whether or not a messenger is really from God: Does he or she confess Jesus Christ as Lord? Does the confession ring genuine with detail, and is it backed up with action? Don’t naively accept the words of all who claim to speak for God; test their credentials by finding out what they teach about Christ. (Grant R. Osborne, Life Application Bible Commentary: 1 & 2 Corinthians, 167)
The use of spectacular gifts has its place. Paul does not deny it. But he insists that the important thing is the manifestation of ethical qualities, especially love, which the presence of the Spirit in the heart of the believer makes possible (cf. Gal. v. 22ff.). (Leon Morris, Tyndale New Testament Commentaries: 1 Corinthians, 166)
Ecstasy or enthusiasm is no criterion of spirituality: attention must be paid to the words spoken. In particular, their testimony to Jesus is of supreme importance. (Gordon D. Fee, The New International Commentary on the New Testament: 1 Corinthians, 118)
For an in-depth study on each spiritual gift, head over to… hillsdalefmc.net/spiritual-gifts/
