The Strand Study Bible

Written From Ephesus During Paul’s Third Missionary Journey

I CORINTHIANS 12:4 - 30

1898

The HOLY SPIRIT is in charge of the “distribution” of spiritual gifts 4 Now there are 1 diversities of gifts, but the same SPIRIT . CHRIST is in charge of the “ministries” of spiritual gifts 5 And there are 1 differences of 2 admin- istrations, but the same LORD . The FATHER is in charge of the “operation” of spiritual gifts 6 And there are 1 diversities of 3 opera- tions, but it is the same 4 GOD which worketh 5 all in all. 7 But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal. A list of some of the Spiritual gifts 8 6 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. 12 For 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. 13 For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gen- tiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit. 14 For the 7 body is not one member, but many. 15 If the foot shall say, Because I am not the hand, I am not of the body; is it there- fore not of the body? 16 And if the ear shall say, Because I am

not the eye, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body? 17 If the whole body were an eye, where were the hearing? If the whole were hear- ing, where were the smelling? 18 But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him. 19 And if they were all one member, where were the body? 20 But now are they many members, yet but one body. 21 And 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. 22 Nay, much more those members of the body, which seem to be more feeble, are necessary: 23 And 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. 24 For our comely parts have no need: but God hath tempered the body together, having given more abundant honour to that part which lacked: 25 That there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another. 26 And whether one member suffer, 8 all the members suffer with it; or one mem- ber be honoured, all the members rejoice with it. 27 Now 9 ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular. Spiritual gifts are ranked according to honor and importance 28 And God hath set 10 some in the church, first apostles, secondarily proph- ets, thirdly 11 teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of 12 tongues. 29 Are all apostles? are all prophets? are all teachers? are all workers of miracles? 30 Have all the gifts of healing? do all speak with tongues? do all interpret?

1. or, “different kinds” - Rom 12:5-8 2. or, “ministries” - I Tim 1:12 3. or, “levels of power” - Lk 11:9-13 4. II Cor 1:21 5. I Cor 15:28 & Eph 1:23 6. Rom 12:6-8 & I Pet 4:10 7. or, “the body of Christ” – vs. 27 8. Rom 12:15 9. I Cor 6:15 & 10:17 10. Eph 4:7,11-12 11. that is, “teaching pastors” - Eph 4:11-12 12. or, “languages of men; foreign”

12:4 According to verse 4, it is the SPIRIT who decides what gifts a believer receives, not the believer. 12:5 According to verse 5, it is CHRIST ( LORD ) who decides where a believer belongs within the work (ministry), not the believer (Eph 4:7-11). 12:6 According to verse 6, it is the FATHER ( GOD ) who decides how much power a believer receives in order to perform his spiritual gifts, not the believer. 12:8 a Wisdom is one of the six speaking gifts. It is the God-given ability (gift) to apply God’s truths to life (I Ki 3:5-12 and Jms 3:17). 12:8 b Knowledge is one of the six speaking gifts. It is the God-given ability to grasp God’s truths . 12:9 a Faith is one of the nine serving gifts. It is the God-given ability to go and do the difficult for God . Missionaries have this gift. 12:9 b Healing , according to Mk 16:15-20, is one of the three “sign” gifts used solely for the purpose of reaching unsaved Jews. 12:10 a Miracles , according to Mk 16:15-20, is one of the three “sign” gifts used solely for the purpose of reaching unsaved Jews. 12:10 b Prophecy is one of the six speaking gifts. It is the God-given ability to proclaim God’s truths without apology ( Rom 12:6 a ).