Before we get too much further into 1 Corinthians 12, I think that it is appropriate to mention what a commentator [Oster] reminds his readers of: that this is a specific letter to a specific church with specific problems.
Now, this letter having been written to the church in Corinth doesn’t mean we can’t learn from what Paul told them. But, as the same commentator wrote, “The Corinthian church of God had enough of its own problems and demons without our foisting others on them.” [Oster, p.281 footnote].
Per Oster, for the Christians in Corinth, sorting through a lot of the noise in their culture could be a challenge, but this simple test – in verse 3 – could help separate a lot of good from bad.
There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone it is the same God at work.
1 Corinthians 12:4-6 NIV
A previous pastor (i.e., of the congregation where I’ve been a member for many years) referred to these spiritual gifts as something more like manifestations of the Spirit, or “spiritualities”. If you peek down at verse 7, you will find support for this interpretation. This pastor’s point was that, whether we are proclaiming that Jesus is our Lord, or working and serving with special capabilities that can only come from God, these are less about having “superpowers”, and more about:
- The power, grace, and love of God…
- Flowing out from Him, through us, to other people who He loves,…
- By the work of the Holy Spirit.
In this sense, spiritual gifts are less about God adding arbitrary capabilities to us (i.e., for us to do with as we please), and more about Him sharing His own love for humanity – along with His power – through us.
There are various things listed in these three verses, creating a parallel structure: The topics are “gifts”, “service” [NIV] or “ministries” [NASB], and “working” [NIV] or “effects” [NASB].
If we just focus on what gifts God gives us, we might think that they are about us: “What can I do?”, “What did God give me?”, “What makes me better – or different – from other Christians?”. On the other hand, what if we thought of these gifts as ways that we can serve, minister, work, or have an effect on the world for the kingdom of God? Would spiritual gifts become less about “perks” and more about our responsibilities and opportunities to make a difference?
In this three-part parallel structure, the results of these topics all trace back to the same Spirit, the same Lord, and the same God. If these three verses are each referring to one of the persons of God, we might summarize their results like this:
- The Holy Spirit decides how these spiritual gifts are allocated (and He is the one who gives them to those who He chooses, and who actually does the work of them, per verse 11).
- Jesus Christ is the Lord of all who receive these spiritual gifts. (See also verse 3.)
- God the Father works through all who are provided these gifts (maybe even including regular work, outside of these gifts, per Oster, p.283).
Apparently, this idea was contrary to the polytheistic Greek and Roman beliefs of first-century Corinth, which surrounded the recipients of this letter. According to the commentator (who I see that I’ve quoted multiple times in this article), they believed that each god or goddess granted different gifts. [Oster, p.279-283] In fact, though, Paul makes it clear that gifts in the church are all from the same God. We don’t need to go to different sources for safe travels, a good harvest, or a military victory, for instance. (Nor are we in the driver’s seat when it comes to deciding what answers to our prayers are best for us.)
Based on this passage, inspecting whether or not something comes from God is a good check to see whether or not it is the right thing to pursue. When we seek what merely comes from ourselves, other human beings, or false gods, we should expect to be disappointed early and often.
So, don’t rely upon your own efforts: whether to obtain spiritual gifts, to work for the kingdom of God, or to serve others. Instead, seek guidance, power, and opportunities from God, and work to glorify Him!
We may not be in exactly the same environment as the first-century Corinthian Christians, but we can still find all that we need in one place (and in the one true God), rather than searching for it in vain elsewhere. In fact, whether or not something aligns with God’s will, His word, and His work is a good test of whether or not it is God-honoring in the first place.
From Sunday School lesson prepared for April 14, 2024
References:
- The Lookout, April 14, 2024, © 2024 Christian Standard Media.
- Scripture taken from the Holy Bible, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
- Scripture quotations taken from the NASB. Copyright by The Lockman Foundation.
- The College Press NIV Commentary – 1 Corinthians, by Richard E. Oster, Jr. © 1995 College Press Publishing Co.
Those Who Sin Differently 