Chapter 12:
| Darby
| Geneva
| Gill
| Jamieson Faussett Brown
| Johnson
| Matthew Henry
| Matthew Henry Concise
| Wesley
| Index
| Bible Gateway |
Introduction 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 Romans 2 Corinthians
1 Corinthians 12
Concise Complete
The variety of use of spiritual gifts are shown.
(1-11) In the human body every member has its place and use. (12-26) This is
applied to the church of Christ. (27-30) And there is something more excellent
than spiritual gifts. (31)
Verses
1-11 Spiritual gifts were extraordinary powers bestowed in the first ages,
to convince unbelievers, and to spread the gospel. Gifts and graces greatly
differ. Both were freely given of God. But where grace is given, it is for the
salvation of those who have it. Gifts are for the advantage and salvation of
others; and there may be great gifts where there is no grace. The extraordinary
gifts of the Holy Spirit were chiefly exercised in the public assemblies, where
the Corinthians seem to have made displays of them, wanting in the spirit of
piety, and of Christian love. While heathens, they had not been influenced by
the Spirit of Christ. No man can call Christ Lord, with believing dependence
upon him, unless that faith is wrought by the Holy Ghost. No man could believe
with his heart, or prove by a miracle, that Jesus was Christ, unless by the Holy
Ghost. There are various gifts, and various offices to perform, but all proceed
from one God, one Lord, one Spirit; that is, from the Father, Son, and Holy
Ghost, the origin of all spiritual blessings. No man has them merely for
himself. The more he profits others, the more will they turn to his own account.
The gifts mentioned appear to mean exact understanding, and uttering the
doctrines of the Christian religion; the knowledge of mysteries, and skill to
give advice and counsel. Also the gift of healing the sick, the working of
miracles, and to explain Scripture by a peculiar gift of the Spirit, and ability
to speak and interpret languages. If we have any knowledge of the truth, or any
power to make it known, we must give all the glory of God. The greater the gifts
are, the more the possessor is exposed to temptations, and the larger is the
measure of grace needed to keep him humble and spiritual; and he will meet with
more painful experiences and humbling dispensations. We have little cause to
glory in any gifts bestowed on us, or to despise those who have them not.
Verses
12-26 Christ and his church form one body, as Head and members. Christians
become members of this body by baptism. The outward rite is of Divine
institution; it is a sign of the new birth, and is called therefore the washing
of regeneration,
titus
3:5 . But it is by the Spirit, only by the renewing of the Holy Ghost, that
we are made members of Christ's body. And by communion with Christ at the Lord's
supper, we are strengthened, not by drinking the wine, but by drinking into one
Spirit. Each member has its form, place, and use. The meanest makes a part of
the body. There must be a distinction of members in the body. So Christ's
members have different powers and different places. We should do the duties of
our own place, and not murmur, or quarrel with others. All the members of the
body are useful and necessary to each other. Nor is there a member of the body
of Christ, but may and ought to be useful to fellow-members. As in the natural
body of man, the members should be closely united by the strongest bonds of
love; the good of the whole should be the object of all. All Christians are
dependent one upon another; each is to expect and receive help from the rest.
Let us then have more of the spirit of union in our religion.
Verses
27-31 Contempt, hatred, envy, and strife, are very unnatural in Christians.
It is like the members of the same body being without concern for one another,
or quarrelling with each other. The proud, contentious spirit that prevailed, as
to spiritual gifts, was thus condemned. The offices and gifts, or favours,
dispensed by the Holy Spirit, are noticed. Chief ministers; persons enabled to
interpret Scripture; those who laboured in word and doctrine; those who had
power to heal diseases; such as helped the sick and weak; such as disposed of
the money given in charity by the church, and managed the affairs of the church;
and such as could speak divers languages. What holds the last and lowest rank in
this list, is the power to speak languages; how vain, if a man does so merely to
amuse or to exalt himself! See the distribution of these gifts, not to every one
alike,
body
were all ear, or all eye. The Spirit distributes to every one as he will. We
must be content though we are lower and less than others. We must not despise
others, if we have greater gifts. How blessed the Christian church, if all the
members did their duty! Instead of coveting the highest stations, or the most
splendid gifts, let us leave the appointment of his instruments to God, and
those in whom he works by his providence. Remember, those will not be approved
hereafter who seek the chief places, but those who are most faithful to the
trust placed in them, and most diligent in their Master's work.
Chapter 12:
| Darby
| Geneva
| Gill
| Jamieson Faussett Brown
| Johnson
| Matthew Henry
| Matthew Henry Concise
| Wesley
| Index
| Bible Gateway |
Introduction 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 Romans 2 Corinthians
Genesis
Exodus
Leviticus
Numbers
Deuteronomy
Joshua
Judges
Ruth
1 Samuel
2 Samuel
1 Kings
2 Kings
1 Chronicles
2 Chronicles
Ezra
Nehemiah
Esther
Job
Psalm
Proverbs
Ecclesiastes
Song of Solomon
Isaiah
Jeremiah
Lamentations
Ezekiel
Daniel
Hosea
Joel
Amos
Obadiah
Jonah
Micah
Nahum
Habakkuk
Zephaniah
Haggai
Zechariah
Malachi
Matthew
Mark
Luke
John
Acts
Romans
1 Corinthians
2 Corinthians
Galatians
Ephesians
Philippians
Colossians
1 Thessalonians
2 Thessalonians
1 Timothy
2 Timothy
Titus
Philemon
Hebrews
James
1 Peter
2 Peter
1 John
2 John
3 John
Jude
Revelation
