1 But concerning spiritual [manifestations], brethren, I do not wish you to be ignorant.
2 Ye know that when ye were [of the] nations [ye were] led away to dumb idols, in whatever way ye might be led.
3 I give you therefore to know, that no one, speaking in [the power of the] Spirit of God, says, Curse [on] Jesus; and no one can say, Lord Jesus, unless in [the power of the] Holy Spirit.
4 But there are distinctions of gifts, but the same Spirit;
5 and there are distinctions of services, and the same Lord;
6 and there are distinctions of operations, but the same God who operates all things in all.
7 But to each the manifestation of the Spirit is given for profit.
8 For to one, by the Spirit, is given [the] word of wisdom; and to another [the] word of knowledge, according to the same Spirit;
9 and to a different one faith, in [the power of] the same Spirit; and to another gifts of healing in [the power of] the same Spirit;
10 and to another operations of miracles; and to another prophecy; and to another discerning of spirits; and to a different one kinds of tongues; and to another interpretation of tongues.
11 But all these things operates the one and the same Spirit, dividing to each in particular according as he pleases.
12 For even as the body is one and has many members, but all the members of the body, being many, are one body, so also [is] the Christ.
13 For also in [the power of] one Spirit *we* have all been baptised into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, whether bondmen or free, and have all been given to drink of one Spirit.
14 For also the body is not one member but many.
15 If the foot say, Because I am not a hand I am not of the body, is it on account of this not indeed of the body?
16 And if the ear say, Because I am not an eye I am not of the body, is it on account of this not indeed of the body?
17 If the whole body [were] an eye, where the hearing? if all hearing, where the smelling?
18 But now God has set the members, each one of them in the body, according as it has pleased [him].
19 But if all were one member, where the body?
20 But now the members [are] many, and the body one.
21 The eye cannot say to the hand, I have not need of thee; or again, the head to the feet, I have not need of you.
22 But much rather, the members of the body which seem to be weaker are necessary;
23 and those [parts] of the body which we esteem to be the more void of honour, these we clothe with more abundant honour; and our uncomely [parts] have more abundant comeliness;
24 but our comely [parts] have not need. But God has tempered the body together, having given more abundant honour to [the part] that lacked;
25 that there might be no division in the body, but that the members might have the same concern one for another.
26 And if one member suffer, all the members suffer with [it]; and if one member be glorified, all the members rejoice with [it].
27 Now *ye* are Christ's body, and members in particular.
28 And God has set certain in the assembly: first, apostles; secondly, prophets; thirdly, teachers; then miraculous powers; then gifts of healings; helps; governments; kinds of tongues.
29 [Are] all apostles? [are] all prophets? [are] all teachers? [are] all [in possession of] miraculous powers?
30 have all gifts of healings? do all speak with tongues? do all interpret?
31 But desire earnestly the greater gifts, and yet shew I unto you a way of more surpassing excellence.
Worthy.Bible » Commentaries » Matthew Henry Commentary » Commentary on 1 Corinthians 12
Commentary on 1 Corinthians 12 Matthew Henry Commentary
Chapter 12
In this chapter the apostle,
1Cr 12:1-11
The apostle comes now to treat of spiritual gifts, which abounded in the church of Corinth, but were greatly abused. What these gifts were is at large told us in the body of the chapter; namely, extraordinary offices and powers, bestowed on ministers and Christians in the first ages, for conviction of unbelievers, and propagation of the gospel. Gifts and graces, charismata and charis, greatly differ. Both indeed were freely given of God. But where grace is given it is for the salvation of those who have it. Gifts are bestowed for the advantage and salvation of others. And there may be great gifts where there is not a dram of grace, but persons possessed of them are utterly out of the divine favour. They are great instances of divine benignity to men, but do not by themselves prove those who have them to be the objects of divine complacency. This church was rich in gifts, but there were many things scandalously out of order in it. Now concerning these spiritual gifts, that is, the extraordinary powers they had received from the Spirit,
1Cr 12:12-26
The apostle here makes out the truth of what was above asserted, and puts the gifted men among the Corinthians in mind of their duty, by comparing the church of Christ to a human body.
1Cr 12:27-31