Read 1 Corinthians 12:1-11.

Note: The Greek word, γλωσσα, often translated, “tongues,” is the Greek word for “language.”

Introduction⤒🔗

If you were asked to list the great events of the New Testament dispensation, the events that are so significant that they are worthy of special commemoration, which events would you name? You would certainly mention Christmas, Good Friday, and Easter; and then you might stop. But there are two other very significant events that we tend to overlook, two events that are intimately related to one another.

Those two events are Ascension Day and Pentecost. Ascension Day, as the name indicates, is the day on which the Lord Jesus Christ ascended to the right hand of God His Father, having accomplished the work that the Father gave Him to do. Pentecost is the day on which Christ fulfilled His promise to bestow the Holy Spirit upon His church.

Sometimes we tend to think of the Holy Spirit as “the silent partner” in the Trinity. This is partly due to the nature of the ministry He performs on behalf of Christ. As our Lord Himself testifies of the Spirit,

...when he, the Spirit of truth, has come, he will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak of his own accord; on the contrary, he will [only] declare the things he hears, and he will reveal to you the things that are still to come. ¹⁴He will glorify me, because he will take what is mine and reveal it to you. Jn. 16:13-14

Nevertheless, the Apostle Paul is concerned that we should know something about the person and work of the Holy Spirit Himself. In 1 Corinthians 12:1 Paul writes, “Now with regard to spiritual [gifts]: brothers, I do not want you to be uninformed.” Or, perhaps Paul’s statement may be rendered, “Now concerning spiritual [things]: brothers, I do not want you to be uninformed;” “spiritual [things]” would be a reference to the ways and workings of the Holy Spirit.

Because the Lord Jesus has bestowed His Holy Spirit upon the church, it is important for us to understand how the Spirit works in Christ’s church.

The Holy Spirit Will Consistently Honor Christ←⤒🔗

When the Apostle Paul introduces his subject in verse one, he is referring to more than just spiritual gifts, he is speaking about the Holy Spirit and His ministry in the broadest terms. He is going to inform us as to how the Holy Spirit works in the church of Christ; especially in the first-century church before the completion of the New Testament Scriptures, but also how the Spirit works in the church throughout the centuries.

The apostle’s purpose is for the church to be informed concerning the working of the Holy Spirit, so that we may be able to appreciate the workings and the gifts of the Holy Spirit; and, be able to distinguish a genuine working of the Holy Spirit from a dangerous and demonic counterfeit. The Apostle John expresses a similar concern when he writes, “Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God” (1 Jn. 4:1).

In verse two, Paul reminds the Corinthian Christians of what characterized their past religious life, when they were still spiritual “Gentiles,” (i.e. as they were in their unconverted state, apart from the covenant of grace and still steeped in paganism). At that time, they were being “carried away to those dumb idols, in whatever way you were led.” They were under the influence of a capricious and demonic spiritual power. Note Ephesians 2:2, a passage in which Paul is referring to the devil as the demonic spirit that influences sinful mankind: “you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now working in those who are disobedient.”

According to the N.T. commentator, Charles Hodge, Paul is here contrasting the Corinthians’ former condition, when they were being ”carried away” by the demonic powers, with the Christian’s condition of being “led by the Spirit.”¹ The former was an irrational, coercing influence, leading them to perdition; the latter is the working of God, operating in and through a man’s rational and volitional faculties, leading him to God and into the life of godliness.

This demonic power, the nefarious spiritual power behind and resident within pagan religion, was leading the Corinthians astray; it was leading them away from the LORD and leading down the course that ultimately leads to damnation. Furthermore, this demonic power was inspiring them to worship “dumb [mute, silent, lifeless] idols.” Contrast this demonic activity to the working of the Holy Spirit as it is described in 1 Thessalonians 1:5,9, “our gospel came to you not simply with words, but also with power, with the Holy Spirit, and with great certainty, [consequently], ⁹you turned to God from idols, to serve a living and true God.” In this passage, Paul describes his preaching as being made dynamic and effective by the operation of the Holy Spirit, with the result being conversions unto Christ and a turning from idols unto God.

Prior to their conversion, the Corinthians were being led astray “as [they] were led by means of those dumb idols.” Paul seems to be indicating that there was a capriciousness about that demonic operation, it was like being blown about by the wind or tossed to and fro on the high seas. Their former religious experience under spiritually demonic forces was intensely emotional, irrational, and unpredictable.

In verse three, Paul contrasts that capricious demonic operation with the working of the Holy Spirit: “No one speaking by the Spirit of God can say, 'Jesus be cursed.’” The Holy Spirit will never inspire or influence a man to blaspheme the name of Jesus; such blasphemy is uttered under the influence of the devil, not that of the Holy Spirit. Likewise, “no one is able to say, 'Jesus is Lord,' except by the Holy Spirit.” Only by the inspiration and the operation of the Holy Spirit can a man truly recognize and confess that Jesus is the Lord of glory; a prime example of this truth is to be found in Peter's confession,

Simon Peter answered, 'You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.' ¹⁷Jesus replied, 'Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by man, but by my Father in heaven.' Matt. 16:16-17

The first thing we must know about the Holy Spirit is that He will consistently honor the Lord Jesus Christ. Speaking of the Holy Spirit, the Lord Jesus declares, “He will glorify me, because he will take what is mine and reveal it to you” (Jn. 16:14). Conversely, any teaching or guidance that dishonors Christ is not of God and is not inspired by the Holy Spirit. The Apostle John declares,

This is how you can recognize the Spirit of God: Every spirit that acknowledges that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God; ³but every spirit that does not acknowledge Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you have heard is coming and even now is already in the world. 1 Jn. 4:2-3

Note: When the Apostle John speaks of individual spirits (“every spirit”), he appears to be referring to the prophet’s human spirit as the true prophet is directed by the Holy Spirit, or the false prophet by unholy, demonic spirits in his prophetic utterance or teaching. This view is in keeping with the Apostle Paul’s comment about the N.T. prophets:

The spirits of the prophets are under the control of the prophets; ³³for God is not [a God] of confusion, but of peace. 1 Cor. 14:32-33a

The Holy Spirit Dispenses His Gifts for the Benefit of Christ’s Church←⤒🔗

In verses 4-6, the Apostle Paul emphasizes both the oneness of God as well as the diversity of His operations within the church. There is a wide diversity of spiritual gifts, (as will be considered in verses 8-10), but they all are given by the same Holy Spirit (vs. 4). Viewed from another perspective, there is a wide variety of ministries, but they are all provided by the same Lord Jesus Christ (vs. 5). Viewed from yet another perspective, there is a wide variety of ways in which God works within the church, but they are all the works of the one and only God (vs. 6).

In summary, spiritual gifts are dispensed by the Holy Spirit, they are intended by Christ to be used for ministry, and, as they are employed in ministry, they are nothing less than the divine workings of God in and through His people for our edification and His glory. According to the Apostle Peter, as we employ our various spiritual gifts, we are ministering to one another nothing less than the grace of God in all of its manifold forms: “Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering the manifold grace of God” (1 Pet. 4:10). The unity of purpose and operation exhibited by the triune God in His church is in contrast to the hosts of demonic beings who operate at cross purposes in many pagan religious settings unto the confusion and ultimate destruction of the worshipers, as had been true of the Corinthians prior to their conversion to Christ (vs. 2).

Again, in verse seven, Paul emphasizes that the Holy Spirit dispenses a wide variety of spiritual gifts, "for the common good.” The Spirit bestows His gifts upon the members of Christ’s body for the benefit of the church as a whole, not for the private enjoyment or benefit of individual believers apart from the body. Spiritual gifts enable each individual Christian to become useful and productive in the church and for the kingdom of God.

In verses 8-10, the apostle provides us with a list of some of the gifts the Holy Spirit dispenses to the church:

“a word of wisdom;” the ability to perceive how the Word of God applies to a given situation; the ability to give practical biblical counsel to a Christian confronted with a perplexing situation

“a word of knowledge;” the ability to understand the meaning of Scripture and convey that meaning and its application to others

“the gift of faith;” the ability to live one’s life in direct dependence upon God, so as to be at His disposal for a given task or for a lifetime of service. An example of this gift is found in Matthew 10:9-10. When the Lord Jesus sent out His disciples on their initial preaching mission, He gave them these instructions: “Do not take along any gold or silver or copper in your belts; ¹⁰take no bag for the journey, or extra tunic, or sandals or a staff, for the worker is worthy of his food.” Jesus was instructing His disciples to depend upon Him to supply their needs; since they were called by Christ, they could depend upon Christ to provide for their needs.

“gifts of healing;” this spiritual gift was especially given to the early disciples to be a testimony to the truth of the gospel and a demonstration of what life will be like in the fullness of health in the kingdom of God. When our Lord commissioned His disciples to go forth on their first preaching tour, proclaiming the gospel, He gave them this instruction: “Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy” (Matt. 10:8a). In the commissioning account given in the Gospel of Luke we read, “When Jesus had called the Twelve together, he gave them power and authority to drive out all demons and to cure diseases, ²and he sent them out to preach the kingdom of God and to heal the sick” (Lk. 9:1-2). The “gift of healing” was a spiritual gift that especially pertained to the formative period of the church during the first century. We may always pray that the Lord, if it be His will, would grant healing, but we should not expect to find the gift of healing present in the contemporary church.

“the ability to perform works of power;” miraculous displays of God’s power; again, for the purpose of attesting to the truth of the gospel, especially as it was proclaimed by the early disciples. When our Lord commissioned His disciples to go forth on their first preaching tour, proclaiming the gospel, He also gave them this instruction: “drive out demons” (Matt. 10:8b); note, also, Luke 9:1-2, referred to above. We may also take note of the testimony of the writer to the Hebrews, when he speaks of those messengers who first brought the gospel to those to whom he is writing: “God also [was] bearing witness both with signs and wonders, with various miracles and gifts of the Holy Spirit, according to his own will” (Heb. 2:4).

“the gift of prophecy;” receiving direct and immediate divine revelation, guidance, or understanding; this gift was especially necessary and prominent prior to the completion of the New Testament canon. Note, for example, 1 Corinthians 14:37, where Paul calls upon the prophets found within the Corinthian church to attest to the authenticity of his divine apostleship: “If anyone thinks he is a prophet or spiritually gifted, let him acknowledge that what I am writing to you is the Lord’s command.” From this passage it becomes evident that one of the purposes of the gift of prophecy was to ascertain and verify apostolic teaching; this was especially necessary during the time when the New Testament canon was being compiled and before the church possessed it in its completed form. We should also note that Ephesians 2:20 describes the church as being built “on the foundation of the apostles and prophets.” A foundation is only laid once; the office of apostle and the gift of prophecy were part of that foundational period in the establishment of the church.

“the ability to distinguish between spirits;” the ability to distinguish utterances and operations of the Holy Spirit from the counterfeit workings of demonic spirits

“the ability to speak in tongues [γλωσσα],” commonly called, “the gift of tongues;” the miraculous ability to speak in different languages, as was evident on the Day of Pentecost: “All of them [i.e. all of the apostles] were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other languages [γλωσσα] as the Spirit enabled them” (Acts 2:4).

The Epistle to the Romans (12:6-8) adds to this list such gifts as the following:

“ministry;” rendering acts of self-giving and self-denying service in the name of Christ; whereas every Christian is exhorted to practice such a ministry, those who possess the gift of ministry do so with special delight and ability

“teaching, exhortation, encouragement;” the ability to communicate and apply the Word of God in an effective way, in either a formal and public setting (“teaching”) or an informal and personal manner (“exhortation,” “encouragement”)

“giving;” the ministry of providing financial contributions to the church for the work of the kingdom of God above and beyond the giving of the tithe and the giving on special occasions of need that may arise in the church from time to time

“governing,” or, “administration;” the ability to give leadership or provide oversight for a local congregation or for a larger segment of Christ’s body, the church

“mercy;” the ability to render compassionate and practical care to those members of the body who are suffering; again, here is a ministry every Christian is expected to perform when the occasion arises, but those who have the gift of mercy exercise this ministry with special delight and ability

At this point the question may be asked, Should we expect to find all of these gifts present in the church at all times throughout church history?

As noted, the miraculous gifts were especially significant during the time when the church was being established. Such gifts served to testify to the truth of the gospel; note, again, the passage of Hebrews 2:3b-4, “This salvation, that was first announced by the Lord, was confirmed to us by those who heard him. ⁴God also testified to it by signs, wonders and various miracles, and gifts of the Holy Spirit distributed according to his will.” (Note: There is a difference between God working miracles and persons who have been entrusted with the gift of working miracles. While God continues to work miracles whenever He sees fit to do so, we would maintain that He no longer entrusts men with the gift of working miracles.)

The prophetic gifts served to support, guide and instruct the church during the time prior to the completion of the New Testament canon, giving insight into the meaning of the apostolic writings and serving to verify true apostolic teaching. Note, again, for example, 1 Corinthians 14:37, where Paul calls upon the prophets found within the Corinthian church to testify to the authenticity of his divine apostleship. Also, as previously stated, according to Ephesians 2:20, the church is built upon “the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone.” The apostles and prophets functioned as the “foundation” of the New Testament church, and the laying of the foundation is a one-time event. This indicates that such gifts and offices were limited to the time when the church was being established and were not meant to be ongoing.

When the church possesses the complete Scripture of both the Old and New Testaments, and where the church has become established in a particular society and part of the world, the miraculous gifts recede and become extinct or non-operative. However, in those parts of the world where the gospel is advancing for the first time and where the church is confronted with the powers of darkness in a direct and intense way, some of the more miraculous workings of the Holy Spirit may be displayed.

By way of example, consider the following report:

Many Uyghurs [an Islamic people living in northwest China] came to faith [in Christ] through experiences of miraculous healing, including a man named Ali...

Ali...had end-stage cancer, and he was desperate. When the front-line worker told Ali that God could heal his tumor, Ali bet him that He could not. But one week after the believers laid hands on Ali and prayed for him for about 30 minutes, he returned and said he wanted to place his faith in Christ. His tumor was gone.

The next time Ali came to the fellowship, he brought his doctor, who was so shocked at Ali’s healing that he wanted to know more about the God who healed. Ten days later, Ali’s doctor also came to faith.²

In verse eleven, Paul once more emphasizes that all of these spiritual gifts, no matter how diverse, have a common source: they are all the workings of the one Holy Spirit of God: “the one and the same Spirit does all these things, distributing [gifts] to each one individually just as he desires.” The gifts are all distributed in accordance with the Spirit’s sovereign good pleasure and for the purpose of building up the church of Christ.

The second thing to know about the Holy Spirit is that He dispenses His gifts as He sees fit for the good of Christ’s church. Each individual believer in Christ has the responsibility to discover his or her spiritual gift(s) and then to use that gift(s) in service to Christ and His church, and for the proclamation of the gospel.

How do you discover your spiritual gift(s)? Begin with prayer, asking the Lord for guidance and to show you what gift or gifts He has given you. In light of the lists of gifts presented in the New Testament (see especially 1 Cor. 12:8-10 and Rom. 12:6-8), take into account your natural inclinations and abilities. By way of example, if you enjoying teaching and are good at it, you evidently have the gift of teaching. Second, seek the advice and listen to the counsel of fellow Christians. Again, by way of example, if a fellow believer tells you how much he appreciates your generosity and willingness to meet the material needs of those who are destitute, and encourages you to continue to carry on such a ministry as the LORD enables you, his counsel may well be taken as instruction and confirmation that you have the gift of giving.

The use of our spiritual gifts gives us an active and useful part in the life of Christ’s church and His cause: the Christian life becomes more exciting and personally meaningful and fulfilling. Conversely, if we do not discern and employ our spiritual gift(s), the Christian life will tend to become boring and irrelevant. By way of illustration, having a position on the team and playing in the game is always more exciting and personally involving than merely sitting on the bench while the rest of the team participates in the game. If you “sit on the bench” in your Christian life, rather than become actively involved by the use of your spiritual gift(s), you will have a greater tendency to become critical of the ministries conducted by your brothers and sisters, and you will have the tendency to want something different rather than something deeper in your spiritual life.

Conclusion←⤒🔗

In one sense, the Holy Spirit is “the silent partner” in the Trinity, in that His task is to glorify Christ; as the Lord Jesus testified of Him, “He will glorify me, because he will take what is mine and reveal it to you” (Jn. 16: 14). But because the Lord Jesus has bestowed His Holy Spirit upon the church, it is important for us to understand how He works in Christ’s church; namely, that He consistently honors Christ, and that He dispenses His gifts for the good of Christ’s church and the glory of Christ's name.

Discussion Questions←⤒🔗

1. How does the Apostle Paul describe the pagan religion out of which the Corinthians had been converted? See 1 Cor. 12:2. Do you see the same irrational, highly emotional, feeling-directed element manifesting itself in modern-day “spirituality,” as well as in the secular culture of today?

You know that when you were Gentiles, you were carried away to those dumb idols, in whatever way you were led. 1 Cor. 12:2

2. Due to the irrationality and confusion to which they were accustomed while pagans, what does Paul want the Corinthians to know? See 1 Cor. 12:3. What do the Scriptures tell us about the nature of God? See 1 Cor. 14:33; 2 Tim. 2:13; Mal. 3:6a. What does 1 Corinthians 12:3c tell us about the need for spiritual regeneration, if one is to acknowledge Jesus as Lord? Note Matt. 16:16-17. Why is this necessary? See Eph. 2:4-5,

For this reason, I am informing you that no one speaking by the Spirit of God can say, 'Jesus be cursed;' and no one is able to say, 'Jesus is Lord,' except by the Holy Spirit. 1 Cor. 12:3

God is not [a God] of confusion, but of peace. 1 Cor. 14:33

If we are faithless, he remains faithful; he cannot deny himself. 2 Tim. 2:13

I am the LORD, I do not change... Mal. 3:6a

Simon Peter answered and said, 'You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.' ¹⁷Jesus answered and said to him, Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven. Matt. 16:16-17

But God, being rich in mercy, because of his great love with which he loved us, ⁵even when we were dead in transgressions made us alive with Christ, (by grace you have been saved)...Eph. 2:4-5

3. How does Paul describe the activity of the Triune God in the church of Christ? See 1 Cor. 12:4-6? How does His activity differ from the confusion and contradiction of the Corinthians’ former religious experience? How does the Lord Jesus describe the love and unity of purpose that exists within the Trinity? See Jn. 5:19-20; Jn. 16:13-15. Does not the Lord desire to see a unity patterned after that of the Trinity exhibited in His church?

Now there is a variety of gifts, but it is the same Spirit [who gives all of them]. ⁵And there is a variety of ministries, but it is the same Lord [who appoints all of them]. ⁶And there is a variety of works, but it is the same God who performs all things in all ways.1 Cor. 12:4-6

The Son can do nothing by himself, but [only] what he sees the Father doing; for whatever [the Father] does, the Son also does in the same way. ²⁰[This is so because] the Father loves the Son and [therefore] shows him everything that he is doing. Jn. 5:19-20

The reason the Son can do nothing other than what the Father shows Him is because, out of love for the Father and unity with the Father, it is utterly contrary to His nature to deviate from the Father’s will.

...when he, the Spirit of truth, has come, he will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak of his own accord; on the contrary, he will [only] declare the things he hears, and he will reveal to you the things that are still to come. ¹⁴He will glorify me, because he will take what is mine and reveal it to you. ¹⁵All that belongs to the Father is mine. That is why I said that he will take what is mine and will reveal it to you. Jn. 16:13-15

4. What is the Lord’s purpose in giving spiritual gifts to His church? See 1 Cor. 12:7. Are you using your spiritual gift(s) for the building up of the church and the spread of the gospel? If we become proud of our gift(s), what must we remember? See 1 Cor. 4:7. If we don’t like our gift, what must we remember? See 1 Cor. 12:11,

Now the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the common good...1 Cor. 12:7

What makes you superior? And what do you have that you did not receive? But if you received it, why do you boast as if it had not been given to you? 1 Cor. 4:7

...the one and the same Spirit does all these things, distributing [gifts] to each one individually just as he desires. 1 Cor. 12:11

5. How can you determine what gift(s) the Lord has given you? Pray for the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Familiarize yourself with the various lists of gifts presented in the Scriptures, such as 1 Cor. 12:8-10 and Rom. 12:6-8. Which gifts match up with your natural inclinations and interests; which match up with your natural God-given abilities? What gifts have other Christians observed in your Christian life and activity?