1 Corinthianschapter 12
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Speaks with:1 Corinthians 12×15Romans 12×101 Corinthians 14×5Ephesians 4×51 Peter 4×31 John 4×2
Summary
Chapter summary
Now concerning spiritual gifts, Paul will not have them ignorant. There are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. For as the body is one and hath many members, so also is Christ. God hath tempered the body together, that the members should have the same care one for another. Whether one member suffer, all suffer with it. Covet earnestly the best gifts. And yet shew I unto you a more excellent way. Calvin marks the chapter as the charter of Christian community under gift-diversity.
Context
Epistle · Paul — 1 Corinthians overview
- A. 1–3 The Test of a Spirit: What It Says About Jesus
- B. 4–11 Many Gifts, One Spirit, Distributed as He Wills
- C. 12–26 The Eye Cannot Say to the Hand, I Have No Need of You
- D. 27–31 Apostles First — and a Still More Excellent Way
The outline
A.The Test of a Spirit: What It Says About Jesusvv. 1 to 3
Read vv. 1 to 3 →B.Many Gifts, One Spirit, Distributed as He Willsvv. 4 to 11
Read vv. 4 to 11 →C.The Eye Cannot Say to the Hand, I Have No Need of Youvv. 12 to 26
Read vv. 12 to 26 →D.Apostles First — and a Still More Excellent Wayvv. 27 to 31
Read vv. 27 to 31 →
The world behind this chapter
1 Corinthians 12The history
Paul begins by reminding them that when they were pagans they were led astray to mute idols. Ecstatic experience was familiar in their old religion — oracles, frenzied rites, possession — so the mere presence of an overwhelming experience proved nothing. The test he gives is confessional: no one speaking by the Spirit of God says Jesus is accursed, and no one says Jesus is Lord except by the Holy Spirit.
The body-and-members image was well worn in Roman political speech, where it was used to tell each class to stay in its place and be content. Paul flips its purpose. The parts that seem weaker are indispensable, and the less presentable ones get the greater honour.
That was a direct hit on Corinth. In a city organized by visible rank, a congregation was sorting itself by which gifts looked most impressive, with tongues at the top.
The lists of gifts are not identical to each other in this chapter, and the ordering varies — a sign that Paul is illustrating variety rather than publishing a fixed hierarchy.
What it meant to them
The first hearers were told that every gift came from one Spirit, distributing as he wills, and that each manifestation was given for the common good rather than for personal standing.
They were also told they could not opt out or expel one another. The foot cannot resign from the body, and the eye cannot tell the hand it is unnecessary. If one member suffers, all suffer; if one is honoured, all rejoice.
Sources cited
- Craig S. Keener, The IVP Bible Background Commentary: New Testament
- Bruce W. Winter, After Paul Left Corinth
The text of this chapter
This page carries no textual note on 1 Corinthians 12. Where this site has examined a place the manuscripts differ, the examination is in the manuscripts room. Every place this site examines →
This page draws on Jamieson, Fausset & Brown, Commentary Critical and Explanatory; John Calvin, Commentaries; John Wesley, Explanatory Notes Upon the New Testament and Matthew Henry, Complete Commentary.