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1 Corinthians 12:2

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Chapter 12

Spiritual Gifts

1Now about spiritual gifts, brothers, I do not want you to be ignorant.

2You know that when you were pagans, somehow or other you were influenced and led astray to mute idols.

3Therefore 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.

4There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit.5There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord.6There are different kinds of working, but the same God works all of them in all men.

7Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good.8To one there is given through the Spirit the message of wisdom, to another the message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit,9to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit,10to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of tongues,Or languages; also in verse 28 and to still another the interpretation of tongues.Or languages; also in verse 2811All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he gives them to each one, just as he determines.

12The 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 Christ.13For we were all baptized byOr with; or in one Spirit into one body–whether Jews or Greeks, slave or free–and we were all given the one Spirit to drink.

14Now the body is not made up of one part but of many.15If 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.16And 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.17If 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?18But in fact God has arranged the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be.19If they were all one part, where would the body be?20As it is, there are many parts, but one body.

21The eye cannot say to the hand, “I don't need you!” And the head cannot say to the feet, “I don't need you!”22On the contrary, those parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable,23and the parts that we think are less honorable we treat with special honor. And the parts that are unpresentable are treated with special modesty,24while our presentable parts need no special treatment. But God has combined the members of the body and has given greater honor to the parts that lacked it,25so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other.26If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it.

27Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it.28And in the church 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.29Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles?30Do all have gifts of healing? Do all speak in tonguesOr other languages? Do all interpret?31But eagerly desireOr But you are eagerly desiring the greater gifts.
And now I will show you the most excellent way.

Topics: worship idolatry holiness gentiles apostasy spirituality paganism

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paulwhelms - (eBible Mentor) 3 months ago.

The Corinthians had been led astray in their prior walks of life, presumably under the blinding power of the one who strives with all of his might to darken the minds of unbelievers from seeing the light of Christ (2 Corinthians 4:3-4). Yet even as the Church gathered to worship Christ, she was exhibiting the same idolatries of the surrounding culture. Earlier in the letter Paul has written against (a) seeking secret and mysterious spiritual knowledge that does not center on Christ, (b) a fixation upon the individual teachings of Christian ministers, though there is only one Gospel (c) the following of false apostles and teachers who do not exhibit the life of Christ, (d) sexual immorality, (e) selfish lawsuits, (f) denigration of marriage in favor of supposed holiness via chastity, (g) various questions about the power of idols over individual Christians living in a pagan world. Clearly, the spiritual enemies of God had already found plenty of inroads in the Corinthian church through these means, but spiritual pride seems to be Corinth's number one sin. Through this, the church had already become pagan although they believed themselves to be advancing rapidly in the faith. In contrast, Paul's humility and suffering for the sake of the Gospel and the love of Christ are true signs to the church that while she shares in the spiritual gifts of Christ's church, she does not share in the image of Christ as she ought.