(1 Corinthians 14:26) “All of these must be done for the strengthening of the assembly”
1 Corinthians Chapter 12: A Commentary
Introduction
Today within wider Christendom in the west there are multitudes of assemblies where spiritual gifts are supposedly practiced when the local assembly of the Body of Messiah gathers together for mutual edification which is the purpose for the gathering (1 Corinthians 14:26). Having said this for the most part the “action” always seems to be happening at the front while the majority of the congregation just warm the pews apart from when they stand to sing a hymn or a chorus. Whether it is services being conducted in the mainstream denominations or in the Pentecostal and Charismatic assemblies for the most part it is the same thing happening.
The author of Hebrews wrote; “Let us hold resolutely to the hope we profess, for He who promised is faithful. And let us consider how to spur one another on to love and good deeds. Let us not neglect meeting together, as some have made a habit, but let us encourage one another, and all the more as you see the Day approaching” (Hebrews 10:23-25).
Hope in scripture is not “I hope so,” but “an abiding inner conviction of unseen spiritual realities as revealed by the Spirit of God in the Word of God” (Hebrews 11:6). As New Covenant believers in the Body of Messiah, when we gather to meet with our fellow brothers and sisters to strengthen each other’s faith, in light of God’s promises and faithfulness to us, we need to seek to strengthen our fellow believers using the gift we have from the Spirit to consider how we might spur them on to keep walking in love expressed in good deeds.
This is where the gifts of the Spirit need to operate so that mutual edification of others can be achieved. It is quite difficult to achieve when we are sitting in pews and looking at the back of the head of the brother or sister sitting in front of us.
Added to this, in larger congregations there will be those who sit week after week and who after some time just drift and leave the assembly. Some come and stay a while and then leave and no one seems to notice that they were even there. Others are just satisfied just to sit. In light of the coming day of the LORD, the coming judgements and our being gathered together to meet the Lord Jesus in the air as He returns to this earth, fellowship is vitally important and strengthened and sustained when the whole local Body of Messiah functions as every member exercises its function in the body as God designed it to do.
When you have hot briquettes together in the hearth they warm each other up, however when you take a burning briquette out of the fire and put it aside it will grow cold and loose its warmth. In most assemblies of believers today when they meet together the Body of Messiah is lopsided in that most of the parts do nothing and over time become subject to spiritual atrophy. Imagine the hand of your body doing everything while the other members of your body just lay dormant, the body would not function as it was designed by God to function with every member working. In this chapter we see Rabbi the Apostle Paul addressing this matter.
Firstly, he defines the gifts of the Spirit, and even there are others not listed, he clearly shows that they are to be used according to the will of the Spirit who gives them to each member just as He determines. Secondly, Paul speaks about how they function using the human anatomy to illustrate this principles which is seen throughout the New Testament. Thirdly; Paul clearly states that not everyone has the same gifts reaffirming what he has already mentioned in verse 11.
With these things in view let’s now look at our text…
Is it confusion or clarity?
(Vs.1-3) “Now about spiritual gifts, brothers, I do not want you to be ignorant. You know that when you were pagans, somehow or other you were influenced and led astray to mute idols. Therefore I tell you that no-one who is speaking by the Spirit of God says, “Jesus be cursed,” and no-one can say, “Jesus is Lord,” except by the Holy Spirit.
It is interesting to note that in the Greek text the word “gifts” does not appear; rather it can be translated as “spirituals” or as “spiritual manifestations.” However, in its context it is clear that these manifestations of the Spirit’s power are clearly defined and they are gifts.
Sadly there are many believers today within the wider Body for Messiah who do not understand the necessity of the gifts of the Spirit to strengthen and empower the local assembly meeting together to edify one another, which is the primary purpose of spiritual gifts. These are our spiritual weapons. An assembly that does away with the spiritual gifts are like soldiers enlisted in an army that have been trained to fight but have no weapons with which to fight.
Those who teach that the gifts of the Spirit have ceased, based on a misinterpretation of 1 Corinthians 13:10 have missed the whole context surrounding that verse. In its context it is speaking about that time after we have received our glorified bodies at the rapture and resurrection when these gifts will no longer be needed. Those who teach that the gifts of the Spirit passed away after the first century have no scriptural grounds on which to hold to that position. An examination of Church history will see the gifts operating, even though at times they were rare due to traditional religious structures and theological positions according to the doctrines of man.
Having said all of this, the assembly at Corinth was richly endowed by the Spirit with His gifts but some of the members were getting carried away with themselves in their use of them. In pagan religions of the time the adherents would often work themselves up into frenzies and uncontrollable mystical experiences of one sort or another. Self-control did not exist in these pagan religious practices and Corinth had them everywhere. At Corinth some were getting carried away, especially when it came to speaking in different kinds of languages. Confusion not clarity was the result. The gift of tongues is mentioned as one of the gifts and it is clear that it can be a gift that one can use privately for edification, however, when used in public meetings it must be interpreted so that everyone is edified by the message God is giving through that utterance.
When you have a gathering of believers all speaking aloud in tongues at the one time it causes confusion to an unsaved person attending the meeting or to one who is a believer but does not understand or been instructed on them and how they operate. Clarity not confusion is the will of the Holy Spirit (2 Timothy 1:7) (1 Corinthians 14:39-40).
Paul also mentions that no one who is really speaking by the Spirit of God will curse Jesus and no one can say Jesus is Lord except by the Holy Spirit. Ecstatic utterances and frenzied euphoric prophecies of one sort or another that were common in the pagan religions at Corinth, and even the Orthodox Jewish religious leaders claiming to hear from God while denying and cursing the Messiah our Lord Jesus most certainly did not have the Spirit of God on the inside of them.
In like manner one might be speaking aloud in an assembly in an unknown tongue and be cursing the Lord Jesus. This is why interpretation is absolutely vital, either by the speaker themselves or by one with the gift of interpretation.
Added to this, one with the spiritual gift of discernment of spirits will be able to know the real source of the utterance. One can be speaking by a demonic spirit, or by unsanctified soul power, for example the kind of ‘power’ we see operating in a stage performance in a theatre that moves people emotionally and evokes a response which has nothing to do with the Spirit of God. Multitudes of church services today in the preaching and in the music are operating by this soul power. It moves people emotionally but does not spiritually change them deep down on the inside.
Every prophetic utterance, whether in a plain language everyone understands or in an unknown tongue that is interpreted, will honour and uplift the Lord Jesus as Saviour and Lord and draw the attention of those listening to Him alone. The sure test today of all revelation is the unchanging Word of God. By this Word alone we test all things. Much more could be said about this, however, we need to move on…
God does not have preferences
(Vs.4-6) “There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working, but the same God works all of them in all men.
Every New Covenant born again believer has a specific gift of the Spirit, or by the Holy Spirit can exercise a spiritual gift in a meeting if moved by the Holy Spirit to do so when the local body of Messiah gathers together for mutual edification. Whether it is gifts for ministry or service, and they vary, they are all imparted by the will of the Holy Spirit. We do not decide which gift we will have. God is sovereign in this matter and works all of them when His people are gathered together to edify each other. For further study see the series on this website titled “The Gifts of the Holy Spirit.”
Always for the common good
(Vs.7-11) “Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. To one there is given through the Spirit the message of wisdom, to another the message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of tongues, and to still another the interpretation of tongues. All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and He gives them to each one, just as He determines.
Spiritual gifts are not for personal gratification. While one who is gifted will experience a sense of satisfaction from the Spirit in that they are ministering according to His will, they will not be seeking to draw attention to themselves or to their gifts. God has not given them that gift for that purpose. The Holy Spirit will always draw others to the Lord Jesus, not to Himself or His gifts or to the one exercising that gift (John 15:16, 13-15).
Now there are ascension gifts which are appointed roles within the wider Body of Messiah, some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists and some to be pastors and teachers. Their specific ministry is to equip or prepare God’s people for works of service, to build up the wider Body of Messiah until it reaches unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God, to become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of the Messiah, to become more like Him in every way (Ephesians 4:11-13).
The gifts Paul mentions here in 1 Corinthians chapter 12 are those manifestations that the Spirit imparts when the local body of Messiah is gathered together for mutual edification.
For example a believer may have a word of prophecy in the meeting however, it does not mean that they are a designated prophet according to the Ascension gifts. Another believer in the same meeting might bring a teaching from the Word of God but it does not mean that they are designated by the Spirit as a pastor or teacher.
The gifts mentioned are to be exercised when the local Body of Messiah meets to edify each other and to build one another up in their most holy faith by the power of the Spirit of God. Let’s very briefly look at these Paul mentions. These gifts are all given through the Holy Spirit supernaturally. Natural talent has nothing to do with it. One can have “the gift of the gab” and emotionally persuade people such as a salesman might do but it does not mean that they are a preacher or a teacher.
Now there is “the message of wisdom” which will often accompany “the message of knowledge,” manifestations that are separate but aligned. One may have God’s wisdom from the Spirit in a certain situation giving guidance. Another may have knowledge which would bring the practical way forward to accomplishing the task needed. Of course wisdom can also be given in a counselling situation. Knowledge can also operate in knowing what is in a person’s heart.
To another is given “faith by the same Spirit.” This is a gift from God that is not the common faith all believers have but the capacity to believe God for extraordinary things in situations or circumstances that need that kind of confidence in God that only this gift can impart. Then you have “gifts of healing” by the same Spirit. Some will have this gift.
However, the usual means of healing in the local assembly is to call for the elders to pray the prayer of faith to make the sick person well and God will raise them up, and if his sickness is because of sin, he will be forgiven by God. Confessing ones sins to fellow believers and praying for each other will also bring God’s healing power. Unconfessed sin and unbelief will hinder healing (James 5:14-16).
However, sometimes God allows sickness, not because of sin or unbelief, but because He in His perfect wisdom and foreknowledge of all things has a higher purpose in allowing that sickness or infirmity. A good example of this is when the Lord Jesus healed the paralytic at the pool of Siloam. Why did He heal that one man and not the others equally afflicted?
Then you have the gift of “miraculous powers,” which are not healings but deeds of supernatural power such as we see when the Messiah turned water into wine. Another example was when through Moses God parted the red Sea.
To another, the manifestation of “prophecy” being a direct word from the LORD for a specific situation needing direction or for an individual such as when being set aside for ministry (1 Timothy 4:14). It can also be a word or passage from scripture shared in the meeting. It also can involve foreseeing future events as we see in the ministry of Agabus, a designated prophet from Antioch (Acts 11:27-30). Then you have “distinguishing between spirits” knowing whether a message is being given by the Spirit, by fleshly generated soul power or even by a demonic spirit.
Then you have given to another the ability “to speak in different kinds of tongues” and we know that there are all sorts of tongues (languages) in the world, yet none of them is without meaning (1 Corinthians 14:10). In 1 Corinthians chapter 14 in its context Rabbi the Apostle Paul is speaking about public speaking which needs to be understood by the hearers. He allows for one speaking to himself and to God and by this that believer is edified. However, when a tongue is used publically it must be understood. This is tied in with one who has “the interpretation of tongues” that will interpret what is being said. See the study on this website “The Gift of Tongues.”
All of these are the work of the blessed Holy Spirit and are distributed by Him for the edification of the local body of Messiah gathered together to encourage and strengthen each other. The Holy Spirit is sovereign in this matter and He gives His gifts to each one according to His will. In a meeting of believers for mutual edification every member can be used by the Holy Spirit if they are open to Him to do what He wills among the assembly. Now let’s move on…
One body with many parts
(Vs.12-13) “The body is a unit, though it is made up of many parts; and though all its parts are many, they form one body. So it is with the Messiah. For we were all baptised by (or in) one Spirit into one body — whether Jews or Greeks, slave or free — and we were all given the one Spirit to drink.”
For the human body to function properly according to what it was created for every part of the body must be active. For example, while a foot has a different function to the hand, or the eye a different function from the tongue, they are all part of the one body and corporately function with each other as a corporate body. Likewise; when we were saved we received the same Spirit who made us one new spiritual creation in Messiah (2 Corinthians 5:17). We were baptised or immersed into the flowing stream of God’s Spirit. Just as the physical body was created to function properly with every part doing its work so the Body of Messiah has been created to function spiritually with every member exercising their gift.
(Vs.14-17) “Now the body is not made up of one part but of many. If the foot should say, “Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body,” it would not for that reason cease to be part of the body. And if the ear should say, “Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body,” it would not for that reason cease to be part of the body. If the whole body were an eye, where would the sense of hearing be? If the whole body were an ear, where would the sense of smell be?
Imagine a human body with only the hand working, what would happen to the other parts of the body? Over time because of a lack of use those parts would atrophy producing a lopsided body which could not function according to what it was designed by God to do. Each member has its role for that body to function properly.
In light of this illustration Paul uses from the human anatomy what do we see in most church gatherings today? We see a situation where most of the congregation just sit looking at the back of each other’s heads as observers and in some cases being ‘entertained’ by what is happening up at the front on the platform. They may stand to sing together when it’s time to sing, however, there is no edifying of one another. It becomes the same routine every week and the Body of Messiah does not function as it ought to function.
For spiritual gifts to operate time must be given in the meeting for this to happen. It is one thing “to bang the drum” about using spiritual gifts and something quite different to create the opportunity for this to happen. In most church gatherings the services are programmed. The sermon goes for 45 minutes, usually by the pastor, and then after singing the last song everyone goes out to have coffee and biscuits.
In the New Testament it is clear that when the Body of Messiah met together to edify each other using the gifts of the Spirit, that the gathering was exciting, edifying, encouraging, strengthening and challenging to the point where they met daily as every member fulfilled their function as directed by the blessed Holy Spirit. It was indeed a family affair! Every situation they faced they faced together as one spiritually united body (Acts 2:42-47) (Acts 4:32-35) (Romans 12:4-8) (Ephesians 5:17-21). The unity of the Spirit was maintained and undergirded by the apostle’s doctrine which we have today in the entire New Testament.
As for “sermons” you could have up to three speakers in any local meeting with each one taking it in turn to speak the word of God in order to edify the body corporately and there were no restrictions as to time limits for the meeting (1 Corinthians 14:29-33).
Can you imagine every week going to the local assembly of the Body of Messiah and experiencing the gifts of the Spirit functioning and being available to the blessed Holy Spirit to use you to participate in the meeting? Could you be content just to ‘sit’? You may not think you have anything to contribute, however, if you are open to the prompting of the Holy Spirit you may well be surprised at how He will use you in the meeting to edify your brothers and sisters in Messiah.
You can prophesy, speaking God’s Word, a manifestation by the Spirit to be greatly desired so that the Body might be spiritually edified and strengthened in their walk with the LORD. As Rabbi the Apostle Paul writes; “So it is with you. Since you are eager for gifts of the Spirit, try to excel in those that build up the assembly” (1 Corinthians 14:12). In fact he encouraged every member to prophesy. In fact prophecy is greater than speaking in an unknown tongue in a public gathering.
As Rabbi the Apostle Paul also writes; “The one who speaks in a tongue edifies himself (in his innermost spirit), but the one who prophesies (publicly) edifies the assembly. I wish that all of you could speak in tongues, but I would rather have you prophesy. He who prophesies is greater than one who speaks in tongues, unless he interprets so that the assembly may be edified” (1 Corinthians 14:4-5). So then for the local Body of Messiah to fully function by the power of the Holy Spirit every member must be engaged otherwise spiritual atrophy will come and the Spirit quenched! Let’s continue…
(Vs.18-21) “But in fact God has arranged the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be. If they were all one 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!” And the head cannot say to the feet, “I don’t need you!”
Pastors and elders cannot ‘cherry pick’ when seeking to open up the meeting to the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Every member must have the space and opportunity to exercise their spiritual gifting. Of course if they have not been taught about the gifts of the Spirit and have not had the opportunity to discover and to exercise them, then spiritual atrophy will be the result. For any local fellowship to move in the Holy Spirit’s gifting they must create the opportunity for open sharing.
Not everyone will be proficient as for gifts to develop they must be exercised. Pastors and elders cannot control what happens in the meetings unless there is unbiblical teaching. Yes they have a responsibility to make sure that the doctrines of the apostles is maintained, however, heavy shepherding is detrimental to the freedom of the Holy Spirit to work in the body of Messiah as He wills and not as the pastor wills. Every member of the Body must be given the freedom to edify others in the meeting with the grace given to them by God to do so and there needs to be time for this to happen during the gathering (Romans 12:6a). Paul continues…
(Vs.22-26) “On the contrary, those parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, and the parts that we think are less honourable we treat with special honour. And the parts that are unpresentable are treated with special modesty, while our presentable parts need no special treatment. But God has combined the members of the body and has given greater honour to the parts that lacked it, so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other. If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honoured, every part rejoices with it.
We live in a culture that focuses on those who exhibit persuasive and successful personalities, or are gifted in speaking or music, or academically competent, or hold positions of leadership in the corporate world and are successful in their chosen career path, and those that are “wheelers and dealers” in the business world. However, the office workers making the company a success work behind the scenes and support the ongoing stability of the company. These workers are unseen and many not acknowledged for their efforts, however, they are vitally important to the success of the company.
In the anatomy of the human body every part is indispensable. The hidden unpresentable parts we treat with greater honour. Likewise in the Body of Messiah we are to honour the hidden ministries and treat them with greater honour and recognition than those that are seen publicly. For example, you may well have a successful preacher in the pulpit; however, the real power comes from the three older ladies down in the prayer room unseen interceding for the souls of the congregation while he is out the front preaching.
Or take the man who works faithfully behind the scenes making sure that everything works in the meeting place, or the one who sits in the office sending out the mail. These we are instructed to treat with greater honour so that they feel they are a part of the body. They may feel they are somehow inferior to those who have the upfront ministry, however, God thinks differently. Indeed did our Lord Jesus say; “But many who are first will be last, and the last will be first” (Matthew 19:30). He also said; “For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted” (Matthew 23:12).
For the local assembly of believers to function every member must be actively involved and that through exercising their gift from the Spirit. Other spiritual gifts are also mentioned. You have serving, encouraging, contributing, leadership, showing mercy and administration ability and the gift of the psalmist being one who can compose music created by the Holy Spirit. Everything that is done whether publically or behind the scenes, they all are for the edification of the Body of the local assembly. In exercising any spiritual gifting we must be careful to humble ourselves continuously before God because He opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble (James 4:6).
And again we read; “And all of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, “God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.” Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, so that in due time He may exalt you. Cast all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you” (1 Peter 5:5b-7). It is always better to humble ourselves because if God humbles us then it will not go well for us.
When we are complemented for some successful ministry we can accept it but we must be quick to humble ourselves before the LORD and give Him the credit for the gift we have exercised in the assembly meeting. Another aspect we need to embrace is that when any member of our human body becomes sick it affects the rest of the body.
So in the spiritual body of Messiah when a member becomes incapacitated the body needs to empathise and support the one suffering whether it is physical sickness or a heaviness of spirit through manifold temptations and spiritual attacks from the evil one. Indeed does not the apostle James write; “Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective” (James 5:16).
As Jude also writes; “And indeed, have mercy on those who doubt; save others by snatching them from the fire; and to still others show mercy tempered with fear, hating even the clothing stained by the flesh” (Jude 1:22-23). James also writes; “My brothers, if one of you should wander from the truth and someone should bring him back, consider this: Whoever turns a sinner from the error of his way will save his soul from death and cover over a multitude of sins” (James 5:19-20). Let’s continue…
Those whom God has appointed
(Vs.27-31) “Now you are the body of the Messiah, and each one of you is a part of it, and in the wider body of Messiah corporately, God has appointed first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then workers of miracles, also those having gifts of healing, those able to help others, those with gifts of administration, and those speaking in different kinds of tongues. Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles? Do all have gifts of healing? Do all speak in tongues? Do all interpret? But eagerly desire the greater gifts. And now I will show you the most excellent way.
In closing this study which is an overview of the chapter we have seen spiritual gifts that function when the local body of Messiah gathers together for mutual edification. We have also touched on how the human body functions with every part doing its work physically which Paul uses as an example of how the corporate Body of Messiah is to function spiritually when meeting together for mutual edification. Every member must be involved when meeting together so that the whole Body will edify itself in love as each member does his or hers Holy Spirit appointed task (Ephesians 4:15-16).
In these last verses Rabbi the apostle Paul affirms again that the gifts of the Spirit differ and that not every believer will have the same gifting. He clearly has in mind the ascension gifts as well as those that operate within the local assemblies.
He is reminding the assembly at Corinth that every member of the wider Body of Messiah are part of the body and that God has appointed these gifts, not those who have appointed themselves. When Paul asks questions in the way he does the implication is that not all will have the same gifts, also implying that there is no point in one getting upset if they do not have the same gift as a fellow believer in the assembly. The Holy Spirit cannot be controlled by man and He gives the gifts according to His infinitely wise, divine, benevolent, kind and perfectly loving will. He does not need man’s permission. As God the Holy Spirit He gives them to each believer just as He determines (Vs.11).
It is interesting to note that in the list he mentions in order that the gift of speaking in other languages (tongues) and interpretation of tongues is last on the list. Clearly when you read 1 Corinthians speaking in tongues was an issue that needed to be clarified in how this gift operates. Of course there were other problems at Corinth such as divisiveness, litigation, food offered to idols, and class divisions at the communal meal. There was even immoral activity also happening. However in this chapter and in chapter 14 Paul was primarily dealing with spiritual gifts and orderly fellowship when the believers met together to edify one another.
As to the manifestation of the gifts Paul was not seeking to stop the believers from operating in them, in fact he was encouraging them to use them to edify and to build each other up (1 Corinthians 14:26). The problem was that they were being misused. Prophecy was the chief gift in that it edified the whole Body when they met together. Paul said that every believer should be eager to prophesy if moved by the Spirit to do so as this gift edified the Body corporately, and that speaking in other tongues, whether privately or publically accompanied by interpretation of course, was not to be forbidden and that everything should be done in a fitting and orderly way (1 Corinthians 14:39-40).
While desiring the greater gifts the members of the Corinthian assembly were to be shown the most excellent way which is the way of love as we see set out in chapter 13. In passing it is also interesting to note that chapter 13 is centred between chapters 12 and 14.
We can have gifts according to the grace of God and be using them; however, if they are not undergirded by love with an eagerness to edify others then they achieve nothing spiritually speaking. Faith, hope and love are to be the main supports for sustaining the spiritual effectiveness of all spiritual gifts in the Body of Messiah; however, the greatest of these is love! (1 Corinthians 13:13) Selah.
