1 Corinthians 12

1 Corinthians 12:1

In italics, the word “gifts” does not appear in the original Greek manuscripts. Paul actually said, “Now concerning pneumatikos"or “spirituals"referring to the entire realm of the manifestations of the Spirit. “I would not have you ignorant.” Paul voices this same desire concerning Old Testament typology in 1 Corinthians 10, the Rapture in 1 Thessalonians 4, the tactics of Satan in 2 Corinthians 3, and the future of Israel in Romans 11. The areas about which Paul wanted believers to be knowledgeable are the very ones about which believers throughout history have had the most questions. Thus, his concern was inspired indeed.

1 Corinthians 12:2

A rumor circulating in Paul’s day said, “If you pray in the Spirit, you can actually unknowingly curse Jesus.” And such a rumor is heard to this day. Paul, however, makes it clear that it is impossible for a person praying in the Spirit to say Jesus is accursed. Do you believe that Jesus is Lord, that He died for your sins, that He rose again, that He is God Incarnate? The ability to believe these things comes only one waythrough the Holy Ghost who dwells within us. Therefore, if you can truly say Jesus is Lord, you can be assured that the Holy Spirit is residing in you and working through you.

1 Corinthians 12:4

Here is where the word “gifts,” or charisma, appears in the original text. I find it not coincidental that charisma is a form of the word charis, or “grace"that which is undeserved and unearned.

1 Corinthians 12:5

Newer translations correctly render the word “administrations” as “ministries.”

1 Corinthians 12:6

The Greek word translated “operations” is energema, from which we get our word “energize.” In verse 1Co_12:4, we see different gifts, but the same Spirit. In verse 1Co_12:5, we see different ministries, but the same Lord Jesus. In verse 1Co_12:6, we see different energies, but the same God. The gifts are linked to the Spirit. The ministries are linked to the Son. The operations are linked to the Father. It is my personal conviction that these three verses unlock the mystery of chapter 12. You see, although the word of wisdom, tongues and interpretation, healings, miracles, and faith are often referred to as the gifts of the Spirit, I believe the gifts of the Spirit are technically found in only one place: Romans 12. That is the only time the word “gifts” is actually used. It is in Romans 12 that we see the gifts of prophecy, ministry, teaching, exhortation, giving, ruling, and mercy. I believe every brother and sister has one of the primarily motivational gifts seen in Romans 12. The Lord then opens up a ministry for this gift. The word “ministry” is used in Ephesians 4, wherein we see five ministries listed: apostle, prophet, evangelist, pastor, teacher. “But I’m none of those things,” you say. Think with me. Suppose someone with the motivational gift of mercy says to the brother or sister who’s going through all kinds of struggles in balancing their checkbook, paying their bills, and working out a budget, “Let me meet with you one day a month. I want to share with you what I have learned in this area.” At that point the person with the gift of mercy would be fulfilling the role of pastor as he shepherds people to financial stability. You see, the ministries are supernaturally natural. When an older lady helps a younger woman learn how to navigate marriage and childrearing based upon insights she’s found in the Word, she is actually functioning as a teacher. And although she’s not teaching predestination, pneumatology, or eschatologyshe’s employing the gift of teaching to the very same degree as one who stands behind a pulpit. Those who exercise their Romans 12 gift (1Co_12:4) will find a ministry opened to them (1Co_12:5) either as an apostleone sent out into some area or situation to share the reality of Jesus Christ; as a prophetone who shares words of edification, exhortation, and comfort at precisely the right time in exactly the right way; as an evangelistone who simply shares the Lord wherever he goes; as a pastorone who comes alongside people to partner with them in their spiritual growth; or as a teacherone who shares truth with others. The ministry of the Spirit is supernaturally natural when we get away from the titles and organizations, and simply respond to the Lord’s leading. Gifts are given by the Spirit (Romans 12). Ministries are opened by the Son (Ephesians 4). Everything is energized by the Father (1 Corinthians 12). In addition to my motivational gift and opportunity for ministry, God wants to energize what I’m doing in a supernaturally natural way. This is what Paul will address in the remainder of the chapter before us. He will talk about the discerning operationsthe power to knowwhich includes the word of knowledge, the word of wisdom, and the discerning of spirits (verses 1Co_12:8-9). He will talk about the dynamic operationsthe power to do. This includes faith, miracles, and gifts of healing (verses 1Co_12:9-10). And he will talk about the declaring operationsthe power to speak. This includes prophecy, tongues and interpretation (verse 1Co_12:10).

1 Corinthians 12:7

The word “manifestation” means “to make known.” The gifts, ministries, and operations are made known through our lives not so we can write them down in our diaries, but so we can bless others.

1 Corinthians 12:8

The word of wisdom doesn’t come from one’s ability to figure out a situation. It is supernaturally given to answer a question or solve a problem. “Master,” they said, bringing with them a woman caught in the act of adultery, “Moses declared she should be stoned. What say Ye?” If Jesus said, “Stone her,” He would no longer be thought of as a Friend of Sinners. On the other hand, if He said, “Let her go,” He would be in violation of the very law He came to fulfill. So what did He say? He spoke a word of wisdom when He said, “Let him who is without sin cast the first stone” (see Joh_8:7). Even as it flowed in Jesus Christ, we see the word of wisdom flowing in His body of believers… Should the new Gentile converts be circumcised? Many said, “Yes.” But, concerned about this, Paul said, “We’re going to Jerusalem and hash this out.” And so they went. The early church fathers had a big meeting. They debated back and forthwhen suddenly James stood up and shared with them a perspective that settled the dust and answered the question perfectly (Act_15:13-22). If you have the gift of ruling, or overseeing, pray that the Lord would give you the operation of the word of wisdom in order that you could express that which is right in the sight of the Lord, and that which others recognize as wisdom. Because He laid aside all of His power when He came to earth (Php_2:7-8), Jesus was a Man just like you and mebut without sin. So when He moved in the arena of the miraculous and operated in the realm of the supernatural, it was not because He was Jesus. Rather, it was because He was walking with the Father and was empowered by the Spiritjust as we can be. “Go call your husband,” Jesus said to the woman at the well. “I don’t have a husband,” she answered. And I believe He smiled when He said, “You’ve said well you have no husband. You’ve had five husbands, and the one you’re living with now is not your husband at all” (see Joh_4:17-18). Was this the result of undercover investigative work? Had the disciples been sent out to get the scoop on this lady? No. At that moment, inspired by the Spirit, Jesus knew what could not have been known apart from revelation. He spoke a word of knowledge. How we need this operation functioning in our homes and in the church today… “Why have you lied to the Holy Ghost, Ananias? You’re deceiving yourself,” said Peter (see Act_5:3-4). How did Peter know Ananias was lying? It was the word of knowledge. These operations aren’t ours to use whenever we wish, but only as the Holy Spirit willsbe that once every ten years, or ten times a day. I believe the word of knowledge most readily manifests itself in the teaching of the Wordwhether through those who are teaching third graders in Sunday school or those who are teaching adults in Bible study. When you read through the Word and you hear yourself saying, “I can see how this really works,” it’s very likely that the word of knowledge is functioning in conjunction with your ministry of teaching.

1 Corinthians 12:9

“Let no more fruit dwell on thee forever,” Jesus said to the fig tree. The next day when His disciples walked by the tree and saw it dried up from the roots, they were amazed. “Have faith in God,” Jesus said (Mar_11:22). Such is the potency of faith. Every believer has a measure of faith. If he didn’t, he wouldn’t be saved. There are those, however, who move in the supernatural arena of faith, where, because of an exercise of faith, things happen that wouldn’t happen otherwise… “In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk,” said Peter and John to the lame man. The people who watched this exercise of faith marveled. “Why do you marvel at this?” Peter asked. “It is faith in His name that has made this man strong; the faith which is by Him hath given him this perfect soundness” (see Act_3:16). In other words, Peter said, “It’s not our faith, our fasting, our praying, or our holiness. It’s by Him. God gave us the faith at this moment to take this man by the hand and tell him in Jesus’ name to stand.” The operation of faith is the ability to step out in response to the leading of the Spirit and do something you would never have done otherwise. The word “gifts” is plural. I do not believe that anyone has a singular gift of healing whereby he can line people up and heal them all. I do believe, however, that there are individual gifts of healing distributed through a person or through a group of people.

1 Corinthians 12:10

When Jesus talked about the miraculousdrinking poisons that would not hurt, handling deadly serpents that would not harm, speaking with new tongues, laying hands on the sick and seeing them recoverit’s important to see that these wonderful, miraculous operations and expressions were all in connection with the Great Commission (Mar_16:15). Therefore, I believe one of the best ways to see the miraculous happen to a greater degree is to be involved in radical evangelism. The miracles of Mark 16 are not intended for us to huddle together in the sanctuary so we can see a miracle. No, it’s as we’re going into the jungles, into the inner city, throughout the community sharing the Lord that He will confirm our message with miracles. As you study the Book of Acts, you see the operation of miracles most closely linked with the office of evangelism because the operation of miracles is primarily for the unbeliever. Why? Because the believer’s faith is not increased by seeing miracles. In fact, it’s stunted. The Lord dedicated an entire segment of history to prove this point. Read Exodus and Numbers, and you will see God continually performing signs and wonders for His people.

The Red Sea parted before them. Manna came down from heaven to them. They were directed by a huge cloud each day and a pillar of fire every night. They were bitten by poisonous snakes and miraculously preserved. The earth opened up and swallowed the rebellious among them. They were a people who witnessed miracle after miracle daily.

And yet what was the end of the story? They couldn’t enter the Promised Land because of unbelief. People think if they could just see a miracle or two, their faith would soar. Not so. Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God (Rom_10:17). For the believer, the way to grow in faith is not to see the miraculous, but to take in the Scriptures. It is for the unbeliever that God will confirm His Word with signs and wonders. That is why it’s as we’re involved in missions, in evangelism, in service to the unbeliever and the skeptic that the Lord will most often confirm His Word through the arena of the miraculous. The operation of prophecy is not to foretell the future, but to “forth-tell” God’s heart. Prophecy consists of words of edification, exhortation, or comfort spoken at the very time they’re most needed. Paul will deal with the operation of prophecy in conjunction with tongues and interpretation in chapter 14. “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God,” said Peter. “Blessed art thou, Simon bar Jonas,” Jesus answered. “Flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father in heaven” (see Mat_16:17). But then, as recorded only a few verses later, in response to the denial of His Crucifixion, Jesus said to this same Peter, “Get behind me, Satan.” At one moment, Jesus discerned the Spirit flowing through Peter. At another moment, He discerned the work of Satan. Especially as we’re involved in pastoringcaring about people, sharing with people, and helping peoplewe need to discern if what they’re saying is coming from the Lord, the influence of demons, or simply the result of their own human wisdom. “Listen to these men. They’re speaking about the most High God,” a girl said of Paul and the apostolic band. Discerning she was under demonic influence, however, Paul demanded the demon leave her (see Act_16:18). Yes, she was saying the right words, but Paul was given the discernment to sense a demonic spirit behind them. Paul will discuss tongues and interpretation of tongues with the third declaring operationthat of prophecyin chapter 14.

1 Corinthians 12:11

If we move in the operation of the gifts of healing, if we speak prophetically, or if we see miracles flowing from our ministry, Paul is very careful to say it’s because of God’s sovereignty rather than according to anything we earn or deserve. “Your money perish with you,” said Peter to Simon the sorcerer when asked if he could purchase the gift of the Holy Spirit (see Act_8:20). The ministry and gifts of the Holy Spirit cannot be earned either through spirituality or through money. They’re gifts that are given sovereignly. “You rebels, must we fetch water from the rock?” Moses cried as he smote the rock. “Wait a minute, Moses,” said God as He barred him from the Promised Land. “It is not you who fetch water, but I who give it” (see Num_20:10-12). Once we begin to say, “Look what I’m doing intellectually, monetarily, musically, or athletically"once we start taking the credit, we bar ourselves from moving into the Promised Land of blessings the Lord would otherwise have for us.

1 Corinthians 12:12

In chapter 1, Paul had rebuked the Corinthian believers for their carnal divisions. Here in chapter 12, he touches the same subject once again. Only this time he reminds them of a cardinal doctrine as he teaches them that they are the body of Christ. Although each of them had different ministries, operations, and gifts, they were still one entity, one body.

1 Corinthians 12:13

Those who use this verse as proof that all Christians are baptized in the Spirit fail to understand that there are many baptisms seen in Scripture… John’s baptism is the baptism of repentance (Luk_7:29). The baptism of Moses refers to those who followed him through the Red Sea (1Co_10:2). Jesus told His disciples they would be baptized with the Holy Ghost (Act_1:5). Paul speaks of being baptized into Jesus Christ (Rom_6:3). What baptism is being talked about here? It’s the Spirit baptizing us into the body of Christ. Jesus baptizes us into the Holy Spirit (Mat_3:11). And, as seen here, the Spirit baptizes us into one body.

1 Corinthians 12:14

Because we’re all part of the body, everyone has a function and a role to play. Because God has placed us where it pleases Him, it’s not up to us to try to change our position, but to rest in the place God has us… If, growing tired of being at the bottom of the body, in a dark, unseen, smelly shoe, my big toe climbed up and planted himself on my kneecap, not only would I look weird, but it would definitely affect the way I walk. So. too, although our fleshly tendency is to want to be seen, Paul tells us the Lord has planted each of us where we need to be and where we’ll function most effectively.

1 Corinthians 12:19

The seemingly feeblest members are indeed sometimes the most necessary members… An above-ground pool was donated to Applegate Christian Fellowship’s mission for handicapped orphans in Mexico. But, because it arrived in what seemed to be a million pieces, try as they might, the Mission staff was unable to assemble it. It wasn’t more than a few days later, however, that my brother, Jimmy, who runs the mission got a call from a man at Twin Peaks Bible College. “I just feel like the Lord would have me come and spend some time at the mission,” he said. “I can’t do much. I’m not a Bible teacher. I’m not a children’s worker. I’m not a cook. I’m not a gardener. But I just feel I should come.” “Come on down,” said Jimmy. “By the way, what did you do before you were in Bible school?” “I spent twenty years installing above-ground pools,” he said. Within four hours of his arrival, the kids were swimming. Without exception, whatever you do, whatever gifts God has embedded in you, whatever the operations flowing through you, whatever the ministries opened to youyou are needed in the body.

1 Corinthians 12:23

Which parts of your body do you spend extra time concealing and camouflaging? The parts you want to hide. So, too, in the body of Christ, who gets the extra attention, the spotlight? The uncomely parts. We think just the opposite. We think the spiritual superstars are the ones who get the attention. In reality, however, when we get to heaven, there will be some real shocks. The people who were not seen, not known, not up in front; the people who were worshiping and praying, loving and sharing, cutting firewood or visiting rest homes will be honored in heaven. Conversely, those of us who have been “center stage” on earth will be in the back row somewhere in heaven.

1 Corinthians 12:25

There is no hierarchy in the body of Christ.

1 Corinthians 12:26

If you have a headache, do your legs say, “That’s tough. We’re going hiking anyway”? No. If one part of your body hurts, your whole body rests. If you throw a touchdown pass and win the game, does your left arm get upset because your right arm threw the ball? No, your whole body celebrates. So, too, as believers, we both suffer and celebrate together because we’re all members of the same body.

1 Corinthians 12:29

The answer to all these questions is obviously “No” because there’s wonderful, needful diversity in the body.

1 Corinthians 12:31

As important as it is to covet earnestly the best gifts and to be all that we can be in the Lord, something is more essential still, to which Paul will devote the next chapterperhaps the most beautiful in all of Scripture.