Summary
In 1 Corinthians 12 Paul addresses confusion about spiritual gifts, arguing that the root problem is ignorance and misplaced valuation of who is doing the 'real' work; true spiritual standing is marked by confessing Jesus as Lord, and those who possess the Spirit faithfully serve Christ and build the church. Envy, minimizing one’s gifts, persistent idolatry, or anger at God demonstrate continued spiritual ignorance, so believers must pursue growing knowledge of God through Scripture to faithfully use their gifts for the church.
Key Points
- 1 Corinthians 12 begins a three-chapter teaching on speaking gifts and church function.
- The Corinthian problem: envy and minimizing others’ gifts undermined the church’s work.
- Paul’s measure of who is truly spiritual: those who confess Jesus as Lord and are filled with the Spirit.
- He warns they are ignorant about spiritual matters and need correction in that context.
- Former pagan idolatry and ongoing idol worship reveal continued spiritual ignorance.
- Christians who harbor anger or bitterness at God cannot build for Christ.
- The remedy is growing knowledge of God through Scripture and faithful use of Spirit-given gifts.
- Those who confess Jesus as Lord are the workers who accomplish God’s will in the church.
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