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Summary

1 Corinthians 12:1–3 – The Spirit Confesses Jesus as Lord

What happens: Paul teaches about spiritual gifts and starts with the test of confession: no one speaking by God’s Spirit says “Jesus is accursed,” and no one can say “Jesus is Lord” except by the Holy Spirit.

What it means: The Spirit’s primary work is to exalt Jesus. God anchors all gifts in loyal worship. Discernment begins with a Christ-centered confession.


1 Corinthians 12:4–11 – Many Gifts, One Spirit

What happens: There are varieties of gifts, service, and activities, but the same Spirit, Lord, and God. The Spirit gives each one a manifestation for the common good. Paul lists several gifts and says the Spirit apportions as he wills.

What it means: God is generous and sovereign in gifting his people. Gifts exist to serve the body, not to exalt the gifted. Unity and diversity both display God’s wisdom.


1 Corinthians 12:12–26 – One Body, Many Members

What happens: By one Spirit all are baptized into one body. No member can say, “I don’t belong,” or “I don’t need you.” God arranges the body so that weaker parts are indispensable and honored.

What it means: God creates interdependence in his church. Love values every member, especially the overlooked. Unity with care reflects God’s compassionate design.


1 Corinthians 12:27–31 – God’s Appointments and a Better Way

What happens: They are Christ’s body and individually members. God appoints various roles. Paul urges them to desire the higher gifts, and he shows them a still more excellent way.

What it means: God orders ministry for the body’s health. Ambition is good when aimed at building others. Love is the supreme path that gives gifts their worth.


Application

  • Confess Jesus as Lord and measure gifts by how they honor him.
  • Use your gifts for the common good, not personal status.
  • Honor each member; prioritize the weak and overlooked.
  • Seek gifts that build up, and pursue the better way of love.

Bible

1Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I would not have you ignorant.

2Ye know that ye were Gentiles, carried away unto these dumb idols, even as ye were led.

3Wherefore 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.

4Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit.

5And there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord.

6And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all.

7But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal.

8For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit;

9To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit;

10To 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:

11But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will.

12For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ.

13For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.

14For the body is not one member, but many.

15If the foot shall say, Because I am not the hand, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body?

16And if the ear shall say, Because I am not the eye, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body?

17If the whole body were an eye, where were the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where were the smelling?

18But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him.

19And if they were all one member, where were the body?

20But now are they many members, yet but one body.

21And the eye cannot say unto the hand, I have no need of thee: nor again the head to the feet, I have no need of you.

22Nay, much more those members of the body, which seem to be more feeble, are necessary:

23And those members of the body, which we think to be less honourable, upon these we bestow more abundant honour; and our uncomely parts have more abundant comeliness.

24For our comely parts have no need: but God hath tempered the body together, having given more abundant honour to that part which lacked:

25That there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another.

26And whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it; or one member be honoured, all the members rejoice with it.

27Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular.

28And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues.

29Are all apostles? are all prophets? are all teachers? are all workers of miracles?

30Have all the gifts of healing? do all speak with tongues? do all interpret?

31But covet earnestly the best gifts: and yet shew I unto you a more excellent way.

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