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Dave Burnette's Commentary

1 Corinthians Chapter 12 

Written By: God through Inspiration
Penned By: Paul
Date Penned: (55 AD)
Overview: Paul Answers Church Questions (c 7-16)
Theme: Instructions on Public Worship (c 11-14)
Message: The Body of Christ (v 1-31)

1 Corinthians 12 Commentary

(12:1-12) Spiritual Gifts - Spiritual gifts had become symbols of spiritual power, causing rivalries in the church because some people thought they were more “spiritual” than others because of their gifts. This was a terrible misuse of spiritual gifts because their purpose is always to help the church function more effectively, not to divide it. We can be divisive if we insist on using our gift our own way without being sensitive to others. We must never use gifts as a means of manipulating others or promoting our own self-interest.

(12:12-31) One Body with Many Parts - Using the analogy of the body, Paul emphasized the importance of each church member. If a seemingly insignificant part is taken away, the whole body becomes less effective. Thinking that one’s gift is more important than someone else’s is an expression of spiritual pride. Devaluing the gift offends the Giver. We should not look down on those who seem unimportant, and we should not be jealous of others who have impressive gifts. Instead, we should use the gifts we have been given and encourage others to use theirs. If we don’t, the body of believers will be less effective.

 

 


Dave Burnette's Life Application

The Body of Christ

Each day we walk through the Bible chapter by chapter making an application of our text to help us grow in the Lord. Many applications can be made from each day's text. Today we continue the book of 1st Corinthians with Chapter 12 and in our text we see Paul teaching about Spiritual Gifts and the Believers are the Body of Christ and each having a different function just as a hand or foot. In making application we see that we need each other in our Churches today as we all have something to give being members of the this Body as we use the gifts and talents the Lord has given us. How about you? Do you see that you are an important part of the body of Christ? Let us learn from our text today and the illustration of Paul to see that we are the Body of Christ, each having a purpose and a valuable function as a member, so let us seek the Lord as we serve Him in the body of Christ.

 

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1 Corinthians 12

1 Corinthians 12

 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.