Scripture: 1 Corinthians 12
Spiritual Gifts
1 Corinthians 12:1-11 reads;
1. Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I would not have you ignorant.
2. Ye know that ye were Gentiles, carried away unto these dumb idols, even as ye were led.
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.
4. Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit.
5. And there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord.
6. And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all.
7. But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal.
8. For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit;
9. To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit;
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:
11. But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will. (KJV)
Now let look at the foot notes of the Spiro Zodhiates KJV of the Bible:
Key notes on 12:1-11 This is not a complete list of gifts of the Holy Spirit (cf. Romans 12:6-8 and Ephesians 4:11,12). These may have been specifically mentioned because they constituted a portion of the questions in the Corinthians letter to Paul (1 Corinthians 7:1).
In 1 Corinthians 1:4-7, Paul is telling the Corinthian's that the Grace of God was given unto them in Christ Jesus, so that they would not be lacking in any Spiritual Gifts.
Since every Christian has been given the Holy Spirit, he has the potential to demonstrate the particular gift which has been given to him. The intent of this passage is to first exhort the Corinthians to seek God's grace, then it will be revealed further through the manifestation of the gift that God will give to them.
Lets look at the notes in the Expositor's Word for Everyday:
1 Corinthians 12:1-11…..
Spiritual Gifts
1. Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren (in this case, this has to do with the 9 Gifts of the Spirit outlined in verses 8-10), I would not have you ignorant (proclaims the Spirit of God, through Paul, saying He wanted the entirety of the church to know about these Gifts).
2. Ye know that ye were Gentiles (meaning that, before their conversion, they had no knowledge of God), carried away unto these dumb idols, even as ye were led. (They were primarily led by superstition and witchcraft.)
3. Wherefore I give you to understand, that no man speaking by the Spirit of God calleth Jesus accursed (the True Spirit of God would never do such a thing; so those who did such, were not of God): and that no man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost (Spirit) (Any other manner will be incorrect. It is the Holy Spirit Alone, Who reveals the Lordship of Christ to the Believer.)
Diversities
4. Now there are diversities of Gifts (different types of Gifts), but the same Spirit (all of this means the Holy Spirit never contradicts Himself).
5. And there are differences of administrations ( different Services, Ministries, Offices), but the same Lord. (Christ is the One Who assigns the different Ministries, with the Holy Spirit then carrying out function. As well, Christ never contradicts Himself.)
6. And there are diversities of operations (different ways the Gifts work), but it is the same God which worketh all in all (has reference to the fact it is God the Father Who energizes all things and all ways).
Purpose
But the manifestation of the Spirit (pertains to that which the Gifts make manifest or reveal) is given to every man to profit withal. (If the Gifts are allowed to function properly, which they definitely will if the Holy Spirit has His Way, all will profit.)
Nine Gifts
8. For to one is given by the Spirit (proclaims the Holy Spirit as being the One Who carries out the instructions of Christ, relative to who gets what) Word of Wisdom (pertains to information concerning the future, whether of people, places, or things); to another the word of knowledge (concerns the past or the present, relative to persons, places, or things; it is to be noted that it's "the Word of," which means a small amount) by the same Spirit (it is the Holy Spirit Who functions in all of these Gifts);
9. To another faith (special Faith) by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing (prayer for the sick) by the same Spirit;
10. To another the working of miracles (extraordinary things); to another prophecy (this is for 'edification, exhortation, and comfort [1 Corinthians 14:3]"; this has nothing to do with the Office of the Prophet); to another discerning of spirits (whatever the Spirit of God, human spirit, or evil spirits); to another divers kinds of tongues (meant to be interpreted); to another the interpretation of tongues:
Distribution
11. But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit (refers to the fact that all the abilities and powers of the Gifts are produced and operated by the energy of the Spirit), dividing to every man severally as He (the Holy Spirit) will (All the distribution is within the discretion of the Holy Spirit, which means that men or women cannot impart Gifts to other individuals. That is the domain of the Spirit Alone!). (KJV) (ESB)
Commentary by Matthew Henry, 1710
The variety of use of spiritual gifts are shown. (1-11) In the human body every member has its place and use.
Easton's Bible Dictionary
Anathema:
anything laid up or suspended; hence anything laid up in a temple or set apart as sacred. In this sense the form of the word is anath(ee)ma, once in plural used in the Greek New Testament, in Lu 21:5, where it is rendered "gifts."
In the LXX. the form anathema is generally used as the rendering of the Hebrew word herem, derived from a verb which means (1) to consecrate or devote; and (2) to exterminate. Any object so devoted to the Lord could not be redeemed (Nu 18:14; Le 27:28-29); and hence the idea of exterminating connected with the word.
The Hebrew verb (haram) is frequently used of the extermination of idolatrous nations. It had a wide range of application. The anathema or herem was a person or thing irrevocably devoted to God (Le 27:21,28); and "none devoted shall be ransomed.
He shall surely be put to death" (Le 27:29). The word therefore carried the idea of devoted to destruction (Nu 21:2-3; Jos 6:17); and hence generally it meant a thing accursed. In De 7:26 an idol is called a herem = anathema, a thing accursed.
In the New Testament this word always implies execration. In some cases an individual denounces an anathema on himself unless certain conditions are fulfilled (Ac 23:12,14,21). "To call Jesus accursed" [anathema] (1Co 12:3) is to pronounce him execrated or accursed. If any one preached another gospel, the apostle says, "let him be accursed" (Ga 1:8-9); i.e., let his conduct in so doing be accounted accursed.
In Romans 9:3, the expression "accursed" (anathema) from Christ, i.e., excluded from fellowship or alliance with Christ, has occasioned much difficulty. The apostle here does not speak of his wish as a possible thing.
It is simply a vehement expression of feeling, showing how strong was his desire for the salvation of his people.
The anathema in 1Co 16:22 denotes simply that they who love not the Lord are rightly objects of loathing and execration to all holy beings; they are guilty of a crime that merits the severest condemnation; they are exposed to the just sentence of "everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord."
Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Now lets look at the reference scripture that has been given in 1 Corinthians 12:1-11
Romans 12:3-8
3. For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.
4. For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office:
5. So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another.
6. Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith;
7. Or ministry, let us wait on our ministering: or he that teacheth, on teaching;
8. Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness. (KJV) (ESB)
Commentary by Matthew Henry, 1710
3-8 Pride is a sin in us by nature; we need to be cautioned and armed against it. All the saints make up one body in Christ, who is the Head of the body, and the common Centre of their unity. In the spiritual body, some are fitted for and called to one sort of work; others for another sort of work. We are to do all the good we can, one to another, and for the common benefit. If we duly thought about the powers we have, and how far we fail properly to improve them, it would humble us. But as we must not be proud of our talents, so we must take heed lest, under a pretence of humility and self-denial, we are slothful in laying out ourselves for the good of others. We must not say, I am nothing, therefore I will sit still, and do nothing; but, I am nothing in myself, and therefore I will lay out myself to the utmost, in the strength of the grace of Christ. Whatever our gifts or situations may be, let us try to employ ourselves humbly, diligently, cheerfully, and in simplicity; not seeking our own credit or profit, but the good of many, for this world and that which is to come.
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