Online Resource Library
Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.com | DownloadBob Utley You Can Understand the Bible - 1 Corinthians 12
Verse Commentaries:
Chapter Level Commentary:
FOLLOWING THE ORIGINAL AUTHOR'S INTENT AT THE PARAGRAPH LEVEL
This is a study guide commentary, which means that you are responsible for your own interpretation of the Bible. Each of us must walk in the light we have. You, the Bible, and the Holy Spirit are priority in interpretation. You must not relinquish this to a commentator.
Read the chapter in one sitting. Identify the subjects. Compare your subject divisions with the five modern translations. Paragraphing is not inspired, but it is the key to following the original author's intent, which is the heart of interpretation. Every paragraph has one and only one main subject.
1. First paragraph
2. Second paragraph
3. Third paragraph
4. Etc.
CONTEXTUAL INSIGHTS TO 1Co_12:1-31
A. Chapters 11-14 form one literary unit which deals with gathered worship. There were many problems in the Corinthian house churches. Paul addresses many of these issues, which apparently the church had written to him about (cf. 1Co_7:1; 1Co_7:25; 1Co_8:1; 1Co_12:1; 1Co_16:1; 1Co_16:12). The issues related to gathered worship were:
1. how to pray and prophesy
a. man uncovered
b. woman covered
2. pride and abuse related to spiritual gifts
3. how to implement gifts into worship
a. tongue speakers and interpreters
b. singers
c. prophets
B. There are three tests related to spiritual gifts.
1. chapter 12 - do they motivate Christocentric unity?
2. chapter 13 - do they motivate love?
3. chapter 14 - do they build the body?
C. There are several lists of spiritual gifts in the NT (cf. Romans 12; 1 Corinthians 12-14; Eph_4:11; and 1Pe_4:10-11). The lists are not the same, nor is the order of gifts the same. They are representative samples, not definitive lists. Some of the gifts function in gathered worship, but others focus outside corporate worship meetings.
The emphasis which Paul places on spiritual giftedness is surprising, but he says little about how one finds or identifies his/her gift. I am reluctant to affirm many of the "spiritual tests" that have been developed in our day. They test only for the gifts listed in the NT. Many of the gifts listed are not clearly defined (i.e., the gifts of leadership in Eph_4:11). The most helpful guide I have found in this area is the IVP booklet entitled Affirming the Will of God by Paul Little. The same Christian wisdom that helps us find God's will also helps us identify our effective gift for ministry.
1. pray specifically
2. ask mature Christians who know you what strengths they see in you
3. look for open doors of opportunity to try different areas
4. follow the desires of your heart
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
This is a study guide commentary, which means that you are responsible for your own interpretation of the Bible. Each of us must walk in the light we have. You, the Bible, and the Holy Spirit are priority in interpretation. You must not relinquish this to a commentator.
These discussion questions are provided to help you think through the major issues of this section of the book. They are meant to be thought-provoking, not definitive.
1. Why was there such a problem over spiritual gifts at Corinth?
2. When does the believer receive his/her spiritual gift? Does everyone have one?
Can one have more than one spiritual gift? Can one ever choose his/her gift?
3. What is the purpose of spiritual gifts?