Senior Class Notes – November 3, 2019

Fall 2019 Unit 2 Session 4 – God’s Will and The Church. 1 Corinthians 12:1-11 PSG p. 120 – 129.

November 3, 2019

The Point: God often reveals His plans for us through His Church.

Inspirational verse: “But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ. Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men. And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers” (Ephesians 4:7-8, 11).

1 Corinthians 12:1 Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I would not have you ignorant. Concerning Spiritual Gifts: Different gifts function diversely in the church. The Greek can also be translated as gifts of the Spirit (NIVZSB). The Greek word translated gifts is “charismata”, the source of our word charismatic. The word could also be interpreted as “gifts of grace.” Paul says that the church is to be a charismatic, Spirit-gifted community (KJVCRSB). Spiritual gifts (Greek pneumatikon, “spiritual”): This term may be either masculine or neuter, referring to either men or gifts. The context is determinative. Here it is better understood as neuter, denoting “spiritual gifts” (cf. v.4 and 14:1, where the neuter term is used). I would not have you ignorant: This is a common Pauline expression to denote a subject of importance (cf. 1 Cor. 10:1; 14:38; Rom. 1:13; 10:3; 11:25; 2 Cor. 1:8; 2:11; 1Thess. 4:13) (KJSB). The verb ignorant (Greek agnoeō) is a joining of a negative participle with a word that means “to understand” – thus the literal meaning is “to not understand” or “to be ignorant” (to not know). In Hebrews 5:2, the word is rendered “those who are ignorant” and carries the sense of erring or sinning through mistake (ignorance of the proper behavior), as opposed to willful disobedience (KJVWSB). The Corinthian church was divided. A misunderstanding of spiritual gifts was obviously part of that division. Spiritual gifts were vital, providing clear communication from God, unlike the silence of dumb (mute) idols of paganism. But believers must recognize the Spirit’s voice. The Holy Spirit will never inspire anyone to say anything false about Jesus (KJVTSB). Paul proceeded to list some spiritual gifts, but this is not an exhaustive list. Paul listed other spiritual gifts in Romans 12:6-8; 1 Corinthians 12:27-30; and Ephesians 4:11-12. Peter briefly discussed spiritual gifts in 1 Peter 4:9-11. Some spiritual gifts have equivalents on two or more lists, but others only appear on one list. Over the years, people have attempted to group the gifts in various ways, but perhaps the simplest way to put them in four broad categories: (PSG p. 127).

Gifts that support. Gifts such as helping and managing guide the work of the church and help get it done (1 Cor. 12:28)
Gifts that share. Gifts such as showing mercy and hospitality are tangible ways of communicating God’s love – both inside and outside the church family (Rom. 12:8; 1 Peter 4:9)
Gifts that speak. Gifts such as teaching and prophecy ground the church in God’s Word (Rom. 12:8)
Gifts that supplement. Gifts such as wisdom, knowledge, and faith support the other gifts.

How we choose to categorize the gifts is not important. Paul never categorized the gifts, nor did he create one exhaustive list of all the spiritual gifts. Paul focused on the purpose of the gifts (PSG p. 127). They are given by the Spirit of God to accomplish God’s purpose in the world and for the edification of the church, the body of Christ. Every believer has been given spiritual gifts (Rom. 12:5-6; 1 Cor. 12:7; 1 Pet 4:10). The gifts belong to God and are given for the believer to use for the glory of God (1 Pet. 4:11) (KJVFSB).

1 Corinthians 12:2 Ye know that ye were Gentiles, carried away unto these dumb idols, even as ye were led. Pagan Gentiles carried away in ceremonial procession could profess Jesus as one of many deities or else curse Him as a fraud, but never could they abandon their false gods and devote themselves to Jesus unless the Spirit of God made it possible (KJV). Dumb idols: The pagan worship at Corinth involved a pagan exercise of “tongues.” The practice of “ecstatic utterances” (ecstatic or apparently ecstatic utterance of usually unintelligible speech like sounds, as in a religious assembly, viewed by some as a manifestation of deep religious experience.) was common in the cults and in the worship of various Greek gods and goddesses (KJSB). The reference to “tongues [languages]. . . of angels” in 13:1 leaves open the possibility that non-human utterances are in view as well (NIVZSB).

1 Corinthians 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. Allegiance to Jesus as “exclusive Lord” is made possible only through the working of the Holy Ghost (KJV). Many of the Corinthians came from pagan backgrounds. But the idols they once worshipped were mute and offered no help or direction. The Holy Spirit of God, in contrast, would provide them with knowledge and spiritual substance (KJVCRSB). A person speaking by the Holy Spirit will never curse Jesus; by the same token, no one can genuinely proclaim the lordship of Jesus without the enabling of the Spirit (KJVFSB). The Corinthians may have been afraid that those speaking in tongues were blaspheming the Lord. Paul reassured them that a person who was truly regenerated and indwelt by the Holy Spirit was incapable of cursing God (JSB). Jews who did not believe that Jesus was the Messiah thought he was cursed by God, applying Deuteronomy 21:23 to Jesus’s crucifixion. “His body shall not remain all night upon the tree, but thou shalt In any wise bury him that day; (for he that is hanged is accursed of God:) that thy land be not defiled, which the LORD thy God giveth thee for an inheritance” (Deut. 21:23). Jesus is Lord: Christians confess Jesus as Lord – they accept that Jesus, a crucified Jew, is Lord; They accept this “by the Holy Spirit,” i.e., as a result of the power of the Spirit of God, who causes Jews and Gentiles to abandon their verdicts concerning Jesus and His death (1 Cor. 1:22-23) and accept Jesus and His death as the wisdom of God (1 Cor. 2:1-5) (NIVZSB).

1 Corinthians 12:4 Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. The Spirit according to His will distributes a diversity of gifts to the body (the church) for its common benefit (KJV). These gifts are spiritual capacities that God gives to individual Christians, through which He may strengthen His people (KJVFSB). Verses 4-6 and the beginning of verse 11 have a variety of wordplays that frame this section (NKJVSB). The same triune God brings about a variety of gifts and manifests diverse ministries and activities within the unified corporate body. They reflect the essential unity and unified work of the persons of the Godhead (vv. 6, 11, 24, 27-28) – The same Spirit, the same Lord, the same God (KJV). There is a diversity of gifts, a diversity of purposes for the gifts, and a diversity of activities linked with the gifts (NIVZSB). Unfortunately, people who confessed Jesus as Lord used their gifts in ways that glorified themselves rather than Him. All gifts proceed from a common source, and as such they should all work together in harmony for God’s purposes. These verses (12:4-7) contain one of the most direct statements about the Trinity found anywhere in the Bible. The three different personalities of the Trinity – Spirit, Lord (Christ), and God (the father) – work together in complete harmony. So should Christians, in a sense, be unified in their use of differing spiritual gifts (KJVTSB). The doctrine of the Trinity is the bedrock upon which all other doctrines are built. Paul here uses the beautiful mystery of the Trinity to demonstrate to the Corinthians that there is diversity within the Godhead (Father/Son/Spirit) yet only one God, there is also diversity in spiritual gifts but only one church. The diversity of gifts should serve to promote unity within the church, not division and competition (JSB). There is great diversity in the body of Christ (the church). There are many parts and roles, but they all come together in unity through the guidance of the Holy Spirit. God never contradicts himself as he gives each member of His body commands, so when everyone is faithfully submitted to His will, we are all working towards the same goal – to glorify Him and lead others to salvation (CFSLPB).

1 Corinthians 12:5 And there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord. Beginning new clauses the same way is called anaphora. Paul, like a good orator, emphasizes his point here (in vv. 4, 5, 6) by repeating it in three parallel ways – in this case including the Spirit, Jesus and God the Father. Administration is a translation of the Greek word diakonion. The term was originally used to indicate any kind of service that was given. Paul used it to denote various types of ministries in the church and the world that are done in the name of the Lord Jesus and for His glory. God gives every believer at least one gift for ministry. God also gives every believer a unique ministry area in which to express and fulfill his or her giftedness. He also provides the strength to energize the believer to accomplish the exercising of the gift or gifts. The overall purpose of every believer’s ministry is in serving the church, whether that be within the church body or through bringing new believers into the church (for example, through evangelism) (LG p. 124).

1 Corinthians 12:6 And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all. God gets the credit for all the gifts, so no one can boast over their gift versus another’s (NIVCBSB). In the specific case of the Corinthian church, Paul had been made aware that there were certain misuses of the spiritual gifts by the church members, which led to some gifts (and those who possessed them) being more highly exalted than others. Paul emphasized that individual spiritual gifts are not for personal pride and exaltation, but rather meant to proclaim the name of Jesus to the world and build up His body the church, all for God’s glory. (See 1 Cor. 12:12-26 for Paul’s response to this issue.) Operations translates the Greek word energematon. This term was used to denote any kind of human activity, action, or performance. Paul used it to indicate the power of God operating in the believer to bring about what is clearly from Him (LG p. 124-125).

1 Corinthians 12:7 But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal. The manifestation of the spirit refers to gifts, ministries and activities (vv. 4-6) made possible by the Spirit’s enabling power. Each is given by God for the mutual benefit of the whole body of believers (KJV). All spiritual gifts are given for the benefit of the church at large, not for the private edification of the person who is gifted. The individual is the vessel through whom God administers the needed skill (KJVTSB). At the time we come to faith in Christ, every believer receives at least one spiritual gift – not merely to encourage and build up our own relationship with the Lord, but to edify the entire church. God makes the church interdependent because he never meant for believers to “go it alone” in their walk of faith, but to enjoy the amazing blessings of fellowship with Him and others (CFSLPB). Any believer not exercising his or her spiritual gifts for the good of the church is depriving other believers of what God intends for the body of Christ. We all benefit from one another when we exercise our spiritual gifts within the body of Christ. For a believer to hold back from exercising one’s spiritual gifts is to be negligent and a poor steward of what God has blessed him or her with (LG p. 126). Speakers sometimes emphasized a matter by bracketing it; v. 7 and v.11 together reinforce the dependence on God’s Spirit to empower the activities in vv. 8-10 (NIVCBSB). To profit withal is also translated for the common good. The general purpose of all spiritual gifts is to benefit all Christians in a local congregation (NIVZSB). Do all Christian congregations receive the same gifts? Some perhaps, but with greater or lesser strengths. Remember: Now there are diversities of gifts, diversities of operations, and there are differences of administrations all based upon the needs of the congregation as seen by the same triune God who brings about a variety of gifts and manifests diverse ministries and activities within the unified corporate body. They reflect the essential unity and unified work of the persons of the Godhead (vv. 6, 11, 24, 27-28) – The same Spirit, the same Lord, the same God (IMO).

1 Corinthians 12:8 For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom: to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit; Ancient orators liked to use lists (as also in vv. 28-30; 14:26), as well as repetition (here, to another seven times, most of them the same Greek term) Corinthian culture valued speaking (in rhetoric), wisdom (in Philosophy) and knowledge (NIVCBSB). Repeating the phrase by the same spirit, Paul listed ways in which the Spirit manifests himself in the church. The first listed was word of wisdom, the ability to apply godly principles to problems of everyday life. Word of knowledge is the ability to communicate spiritual and doctrinal issues to others (KJVTSB). Knowledge is used here to speak of truths already revealed. It is the ability to effectively apply what the Bible teaches about how to live one’s life (Key Words PSG p. 126).

1 Corinthians 12:9 To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit; Faith, or faithfulness, may refer to a special gift of patience and perseverance to endure hardship and even martyrdom as a witness to Christ. The gifts of healing (are expressed in the plural) refers to the ability to miraculously cure people of illness as a testimony to God’s power. Paul did not always seem to have the gift of healing as he did in Acts 14:8-10; 28:7-9. Paul had to leave his sick friend Trophimus behind on one occasion (2 Timothy 4:20), And Timothy was plagued by a persistent stomach problem (1 Timothy 5:23) (KJVTSB). Gifts of Healing: This has in mind gifts whereby the sick are healed (cf. Acts 4:30). The emphasis is on the results, not the process. The gift does not produce divine “healers” but divine healing (cf. James 5:14-15) (KJSB). Gentiles in Corinth could seek healing at local shrines (especially that of Asclepius – In Greek mythology Asclepius [or Asklepios ] was the ancient Greek god of medicine, a demi-god hero as he was the son of divine Apollo, and his mother was the mortal Koronis from Thessaly.), but the Spirit provided healing gifts from the true God among the believers (NIVCBSB). In ancient times, before all of scripture was written, God would give a sign gift – healing, miraculous powers, tongues, or interpretation of tongues – to validate the word of his spokesman (Heb. 2:3-4). But once the Word of God was completed, there was no further need for a word of revelation because God had said all that He intended to say. So today, if someone announces, “I have a word from God,” ignore it; the canon of Scripture is closed. The last chapter of Revelation pronounces a curse on anyone who would add to or subtract from Scripture ( please read Rev. 22:18-19). People do receive further illumination about the word God has already given, but no one receives any additional, prophetic revelation (JSB).

1 Corinthians 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: Paul ended with five types of revelatory gifts (KJVTSB).

The working of miracles. These seemed to cause the most trouble in Corinth and continue to spark controversy (KJVTSB). Miracles translates the Greek term dynameon and literally means “works of power.” The term is often used in association with the miracles of Jesus (LG p. 127).
Refers to the ability to speak on behalf of God, not necessarily predictions of the future (KJVTSB). A good definition might be that through the gift of prophecy a person receives and proclaims revelation from God through the Holy Spirit. It is the ability to give insights into and convey the deeper meanings of God’s redemptive program through Jesus Christ, which is contained in His Word (LG p. 127).
Discerning of spirits. Is the ability to determine whether words and actions are from God or from human or demonic influences (KJVTSB).
Tongues is the ability to speak in a languages that one has not studied. These require the fifth gift (KJVTSB).
Interpretation of tongues. Translating a spoken, unlearned tongue (KJVTSB).

Prophecy is the gift of receiving and declaring a word from God through the Holy Spirit. The gift of tongues refers to the ability to speak various languages (Key Words PSG p. 126). Prophecy is the communication of special revelation from God. It could have been in the sense of foretelling (Acts 11:28) or simply forth telling – Forth–Telling is to utter forth, declare, a thing which can only be known by divine revelation; declare the divine will, to interpret the purposes of God, or to make known in any way the truth of God which is designed to influence people. It can only be uncovered and revealed through prophets. Most of the New Testament epistles fall into this latter category. This was a temporary gift, no longer needed after the canon of the New Testament was completed. Its major counterpart today is preaching. Tongues: The gift of speaking in tongues in the book of Acts appears to have been limited to speaking in “known (foreign) languages” (cf. Acts 2:4; 10:46; and 19:6). Paul uses the expression in precisely the same way (KJSB). The miracle at Pentecost was that the speaking of one apostle was understood by those who spoke in different languages without the need of a translator (Acts 2:6-8). “And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance” (Acts 2:4). The purpose here for the sign – gift of tongues – was not to make possible the hearing of the gospel but to seize the attention of all, so they would listen. The hearers were not pilgrims, but foreign born inhabitants (v. 8). Also when the gospel is preached, Peter speaks to them all in one language (KJSB).

1 Corinthians 12:11 But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will. The spirit works supernaturally through a diversity of gifted people to produce one cohesive relationship (cp. V.7 “to profit withal”) (KJV). The primary means of supernatural living, manifested through the power of the Holy Spirit, are the gifts of the Spirit and the fruit of the spirit. The fruit of the spirit enumerated in Galatians 5:22-23 are those gracious habits that the Holy Spirit produces in the Christian (TNUBD). The purpose of the gifts of the Spirit – given to every Christian by the Spirit’s determination (12:11) – is that the church of Jesus Christ might look and work like the body of Jesus on this earth. Every Christian is a part of his spiritual body. Just as every part of the human body is important and divinely appointed, so every Christian is divinely gifted to serve as part of Christ’s body – the hands and heart of Jesus (JSB). God distributes spiritual gifts as He sees fit. While a church can and should “eagerly desire gifts of the Spirit” (1 Co. 14:1), individual believers are never encouraged to request specific gifts. Rather, the Spirit gives us the talents that are necessary for the tasks He wants us to accomplish. And God always assumes the responsibility of enabling us to do whatever he has called us to do (CFSLPB). Whatever gifts believers have received, they all come from the same Spirit, who sovereignly distributes them all. There is no reason for Christians to feel superior because they have a particular gift (NIVZSB). Believers in Corinth were not to become conceited over the ability, or abilities, graciously given the by God; rather, each member of the Corinthian church was to use his or her gifts for the benefit of the church body. The same is true for believers today. Regardless of which spiritual gifts a Christian possesses, the Holy Spirit has distributed them according to His sovereign will and divine plan to produce spiritual results in the church. The Spirit wants us to use our gifts (as well as our natural abilities) to help others learn about the Lord Jesus and grow stronger in their walk with Him (LG p. 128).

References: Fall 2019

(CWB) – Commentary on the Whole Bible by Matthew Henry Copyright © 1960 by Zondervan Publishing House – Grand Rapids, Michigan.
(ETB) – Explore The Book by J. Sidlow Baxter. Copyright © 1960 by J. Sidlow Baxter. Published 1960 by Zondervan Publishing House – Grand Rapids, Michigan.
(IMO) – On occasion, with the prayerful guidance of the Holy Spirit, I will make comments of my own, based on my understanding of the events. I will indicate such times with In My Opinion.
(JSB) – The Jeremiah Study Bible, Copyright © 2016 by David Jeremiah, Inc. Using The Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan.
(LG) – Bible Studies For Life – KJV Adults Leader Guide Summer 2019 Unit 2 Session 5
(NIVMEB) – The Ministry Essentials Bible, Copyright © 2014 by Hendrickson Publishers Marketing, LLC. Based on The Holy Bible, New International Version NIV Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.
(NCBD) – Nelson’s Compact Bible Dictionary Copyright © 2004 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. with Scripture Quotations from the New King James Version of the Bible Copyright © 1979, 1980, 1982, 1990 by Thomas Nelson, Inc.
(NIVBTSB) – The New International Version Biblical Theology Study Bible © 2018 by The Zondervan Corporation. Text from The Holy Bible, New International Version Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. previously published as The New International Version Zondervan Study B
(NIVCBSB) – The NIV Cultural Backgrounds Study Bible Copyright © 2016 by The Zondervan Corporation Text from The Holy Bible, New International Version Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. published by The Zondervan Corporation.
(NIVSB) – The New International Version Study Bible Copyright © 1985 by The Zondervan Corporation Text from The Holy Bible, New International Version Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by the New York International Bible Society.
(NIVZSB) – The New International Version Zondervan Study Bible © 2015 by the Zondervan Corporation. Text from The Holy Bible, New International Version Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.
(PSG) – Bible Studies For Life – KJV Adults Personal Study Guide Spring 2019 Vol. 6, No. 3.
(SEC) – Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible with Dictionaries of the Hebrew Bible and the Greek Testament words. Copyright © 1890 by James Strong. Based on the King James Version of the Bible
(TDNT) – Theological Dictionary of the New Testament, Grand Rapids: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Co.