Bible Commentaries
1 Corinthians 12

Verse 1

Spiritual gifts. The charismata, or special endowments of supernatural energy, such as prophecy and speaking with tongues.

"Before this consciousness of a higher power than their own, the ordinary and natural faculties of the human mind seemed to retire, to make way for loftier aspirations, more immediate intimations of the divine will, more visible manifestations of the divine power.... It resembled in some degree the inspiration of the Jewish judges, psalmists, and prophets; it may be illustrated by the ecstasies and visions of prophets in all religions; but in its energy and universality it was peculiar to the christian society of the apostolic age" (Stanley).

Verse 2

Ye were carried away [απαγομενοι] . Blindly hurried. Rev., led.

Dumb idols. Compare Psalms 115:5, Psalms 115:7. And Milton :

"The oracles are dumb, No voice or hideous hum Runs through the arched roof in words deceiving." " Hymn on the Nativity "

The contrast is implied with the living vocal spirit, which dwells and works in Christ 's people, and responds to their prayers.

Even as ye were led [ως αν ηγεσθε] . Rev., howsoever ye might be led. Better, Ellicott : "As from time to time ye might be led. The imperfect tense with the indefinite particle signifies habitually, whenever the occasion might arise. Compare Greek of Mark 6:56." Now the fatal storm carried the blinded gentile, with a whole procession, to the temple of Jupiter; again it was to the altars of Mars or Venus, always to give them over to one or other of their deified passions " (Godet).

Verse 3

Calleth Jesus accursed [λεγει αναθεμα ιησους] . Lit., saith Anathema Jesus. Rev., preserving the formula, saith Jesus is Anathema. Compare Acts 18:6, and see on offerings, Luke 21:5. Paul uses only the form ajnaqema, and always in the sense of accursed.

Verse 4

Diversities [διαιρεσεις] . Only here in the New Testament. It may also be rendered distributions. There is no objection to combining both meanings, a distribution of gifts implying a diversity. Ver. 11, however, seems to favor distributions.

Gifts [χαρισματων] . See on Romans 1:11.

Administrations [διακονιων] . Rev., better, ministrations. Compare Ephesians 4:12. In the New Testament commonly of spiritual service of an official character. See Acts 1:25; Acts 6:4; Acts 20:24; Romans 11:13; 1 Timothy 1:12; and on minister, Matthew 20:26.

Verse 6

Operations [ενεργηματα] . Rev., workings. Outward manifestations and results of spiritual gifts. The kindred word ejnergeia energy is used only by Paul : and only of superhuman good or evil. Compare Ephesians 1:19; Ephesians 3:7; Colossians 2:12. See on Mark 6:14.

Worketh [ενεργων] . Etymologically akin to operations. See on Mark 6:14; James 5:16.

All [τα παντα] . Or them all. The article shows that they are regarded collectively.

Verse 9

Faith. Not saving faith in general, which is the common endowment of all Christians, but wonder - working faith.

Verse 10

Prophecy. Not mere foretelling of the future. Quite probably very little of this element is contemplated; but utterance under immediate divine inspiration : delivering inspired exhortations, instructions, or warnings. See on prophet, Luke 7:26. The fact of direct inspiration distinguished prophecy from "teaching."

Discerning of spirits. Rev., correctly, discernings. Distinguishing between the different prophetic utterances, whether they proceed from true or false spirits. See 1 Timothy 4:1; 1 John 4:1, 1 John 4:2.

Divers kinds of tongues [γενη γλωσσων] .

PASSAGES RELATING TO THE GIFT OF TONGUES. Mark 16:17; Acts 2:3-21; Acts 10:46; Acts 19:6; 1 Corinthians 12:10, 1 Corinthians 12:28; 1 Corinthians 13:1; 1 Corinthians 14:0. Possibly Ephesians 5:18; 1 Peter 4:11.

TERMS EMPLOYED. New tongues (Mark 16:17) : other or different tongues (eterai, Acts 2:4) : kinds [γενη] of tongues (1 Corinthians 12:10) : simply tongues or tongue (glwssai glwssa, 1 Corinthians

1 Corinthians 12:14to speak with tongues or a tongue (glwssaiv or glwssh lalein, Acts 2:4; Acts 10:46; Acts 19:6; 1 Corinthians 14:2, 1 Corinthians 14:4, 1 Corinthians 14:13, 1 Corinthians 14:14, 1 Corinthians 14:19, 1 Corinthians 14:27) : to pray in a tongue (proseucesqai glwssh, 1 Corinthians 14:14, 1 Corinthians 14:15), equivalent to praying in the spirit as distinguished from praying with the understanding : tongues of men and angels (1 Corinthians 13:1).

III. RECORDED FACTS IN THE NEW TESTAMENT.

(1.) The first recorded bestowment of the gift was at Pentecost (Acts 2:0.). The question arises whether the speakers were miraculously endowed to speak with other tongues, or whether the Spirit interpreted the apostle 's words to each in his own tongue.

Probably the latter was the case, since there is no subsequent notice of the apostles preaching in foreign tongues; there is no allusion to foreign tongues by Peter, nor by Joel, whom he quotes. This fact, moreover, would go to explain the opposite effects on the hearers.

(2.) Under the power of the Spirit, the company addressed by Peter in the house of Cornelius at Caesarea spake with tongues. Acts 10:44-46.

(3.) Certain disciples at Ephesus, who received the Holy Spirit in the laying on of Paul 's hands, spake with tongues and prophesied, Acts 19:6.

MEANING OF THE TERM "TONGUE." The various explanations are : the tongue alone, inarticulately : rare, provincial, poetic, or archaic words : language or dialect. The last is the correct definition. It does not necessarily mean any of the known languages of men, but may mean the speaker's own tongue, shaped in a peculiar manner by the Spirit's influence; or an entirely new spiritual language.

NATURE OF THE GIFT IN THE CORINTHIAN CHURCH.

(1.) The gift itself was identical with that at Pentecost, at Caesarea, and at Ephesus, but differed in its manifestations, in that it required an interpreter. 1 Corinthians 12:10, 1 Corinthians 12:30; 1 Corinthians 14:5, 1 Corinthians 14:13, 1 Corinthians 14:26, 1 Corinthians 14:27. (2.) It was closely connected with prophesying : 1 Corinthians 14:1-6, 1 Corinthians 14:22, 1 Corinthians 14:25; Acts 2:16-18; Acts 19:6. Compare 1 Thessalonians 5:19, 1 Thessalonians 5:20. It was distinguished from prophesying as an inferior gift, 1 Corinthians 14:4, 1 Corinthians 14:5; and as consisting in expressions of praise or devotion rather than of exhortation, warning, or prediction, 1 Corinthians 14:14-16.

(3.) It was an ecstatic utterance, unintelligible to the hearers, and requiring interpretation, or a corresponding ecstatic condition on the part of the hearer in order to understand it. It was not for the edification of the hearer but of the speaker, and even the speaker did not always understand it, 1 Corinthians 14:2, 1 Corinthians 14:19. It therefore impressed unchristian bystanders as a barbarous utterance, the effect of madness or drunkenness, Acts 2:13, Acts 2:15; 1 Corinthians 14:11, 1 Corinthians 14:23. Hence it is distinguished from the utterance of the understanding, 1 Corinthians 14:4, 1 Corinthians 14:14-16, 1 Corinthians 14:19, 1 Corinthians 14:27.

PAUL?ESTIMATE OF THE GIFT. He himself was a master of the gift (1 Corinthians 14:18), but he assigned it an inferior position (1 Corinthians 14:4, 1 Corinthians 14:5), and distinctly gave prophesying and speaking with the understanding the preference (1 Corinthians 14:2, 1 Corinthians 14:3, 1 Corinthians 14:5, 1 Corinthians 14:19, 1 Corinthians 14:22). VII. RESULTS AND PERMANENCE. Being recognized distinctly as a gift of the Spirit, it must be inferred that it contributed in some way to the edification of the Church; but it led to occasional disorderly outbreaks (1 Corinthians 14:9, 1 Corinthians 14:11, 1 Corinthians 14:17, 1 Corinthians 14:20-23, 1 Corinthians 14:26-28, 1 Corinthians 14:3 1 Corinthians 14:3, 1 Corinthians 14:40). As a fact it soon passed away from the Church. It is not mentioned in the Catholic or Pastoral Epistles. A few allusions to it occur in the writings of the fathers of the second century. Ecstatic conditions and manifestations marked the Montanists at the close of the second century, and an account of such a case, in which a woman was the subject, is given by Tertullian. Similar phenomena have emerged at intervals in various sects, at times of great religious excitement, as among the Camisards in France, the early Quakers and Methodists, and especially the Irvingites. 121

Verse 13

Made to drink [εποτισθημεν] . The verb means originally to give to drink, from which comes the sense of to water or irrigate. The former is invariably the sense in the gospels and Revelation; the latter in 1 Corinthians 3:6-8, and by some here. The reference is to the reception of the Spirit in baptism. Omit into before one Spirit.

Verse 14

The body. The student will naturally recall the fable of the body and the members uttered by Menenius Agrippa, and related by Livy, 2, 32; but the illustration seems to have been a favorite one, and occurs in Seneca, Marcus Antoninus, and others. 122

Verse 18

Set [εθετο] . See on John 14:16, where the same word is used by Christ of appointing His followers.

Verse 22

Seem to be [δοκουντα - υπαρχειν] . The allusion is probably to those which seem to be weaker in their original structure, naturally. This may be indicated by the use of uJparcein to be (see on James 2:15); compare einai to be, in ver. 23. Others explain of those which on occasion seem to be weaker, as when a member is diseased.

Verse 23

We bestow [περιτιθεμεν] . Elsewhere in the New Testament the word is used, without exception, of encircling with something; either putting on clothing, as Matthew 27:28; or surrounding with a fence, as Matthew 21:33; or of the sponge placed round the reed, as Mark 14:36; John 19:29. So evidently here. Rev., in margin, put on. The more abundant honor is shown by the care in clothing.

Uncomely - comeliness [ασχημονα - ευσχημοσυνην] . See on honorable, Mark 14:43; shame, Revelation 16:15. Compare ajschmonein behaveth uncomely, ch. 7 36. The comeliness is outward, as is shown by the verb we put on, and by the compounds of ochma fashion. See on transfigured, Matthew 17:2.

Verse 24

Tempered together [συνεκρασεν] . Only here and Hebrews 4:2. Lit., mixed together. Here the idea of mutual adjustment is added to that of mingling. Compare Plato on God 's creating the soul and body. "He made her out of the following elements, and on this manner. Of the unchangeable and indivisible, and also of the divisible and corporeal He made (xunekerasato compounded) a third sort of intermediate essence, partaking of the same and of the other, or diverse" (see the whole passage, "Timaeus," 35).

Verse 26

Suffer with it. Compare Plutarch of Solon's Laws : "If any one was beaten or maimed or suffered any violence, any man that would and was able might prosecute the wrongdoer; intending by this to accustom the citizens, like members of the same body, to resent and be sensible of one another's injuries" (Solon). And Plato : "As in the body, when but a finger is hurt, the whole frame, drawn towards the soul and forming one realm under the ruling power therein, feels the hurt and sympathizes all together with the part affected" (" Republic, " 5, 462).

Is honored [δοξαζεται] . Or glorified. Receives anything which contributes to its soundness or comeliness. So Chrysostom : "The head is crowned, and all the members have a share in the honor; the eyes laugh when the mouth speaks."

Verse 27

In particular [εκ μερους] . Rev., better, severally. Each according to his own place and function. See on part, Romans 11:25.

Verse 28

Hath set [εθετο] . See on ver. 18. The middle voice implies for His own use.

Miracles. Note the change from endowed persons to abstract gifts, and compare the reverse order, Romans 12:6-8.

Helps [αντιλημψεις] . Rendered to the poor and sick as by the deacons. See on hath holpen, Luke 1:54.

Governments [κυβερνησεις] . Only here in the New Testament. From kubernaw to steer. The kindred kubernhthv shipmaster or steersman, occurs Acts 27:11; Revelation 18:17. Referring probably to administrators of church government, as presbyters. The marginal wise counsels (Rev.) is based on Septuagint usage, as Proverbs 1:5; Proverbs 20:21. Compare Proverbs 11:14; Proverbs 24:6. Ignatius, in his letter to Polycarp says : "The occasion demands thee, as pilots [κυβερνηται] the winds." The reading is disputed, but the sense seems to be that the crisis demands Polycarp as a pilot. Lightfoot says that this is the earliest example of a simile which was afterward used largely by christian writers - the comparison of the Church to a ship. Hippolytus represents the mast as the cross; the two rudders the two covenants; the undergirding ropes the love of Christ. The ship is one of the ornaments which Clement of Alexandria allows a Christian to wear (" Apostolic Fathers, " Part 2, Ignatius to Polycarp, 2.).

Verse 31

The best [τα κρειττονα] . The correct reading is ta meizona the greater. So Rev.

Yet [ετι] . Some construe with more excellent, rendering yet more excellent. So Rev. Others render moreover, and give the succeeding words a superlative force : "and moreover a most excellent way," etc. See on with excellency, ch. 2 1.

Way. To attain the higher gifts. The way of love as described in ch. 13. "Love is the fairest and best in himself, and the cause of what is fairest and best in all other things" (Plato, "Symposium," 197). ===1 Corinthians 13:0

CHAPTER XIII

"Love is our Lord - supplying kindness and banishing unkindness; giving friendship and forgiving enmity; the joy of the good, the wonder of the wise, the amazement of the gods; desired by those who have no part in him, and precious to those who have the better part in him.... In every word, work, wish, fear - pilot (kubernhthv, compare governments, 1 Corinthians 12:28), comrade, helper, savior; glory of gods and men, leader best and brightest; in whose footsteps let every man follow, sweetly singing in his honor that sweet strain with which love charms the souls of gods and men" (Plato, "Symposium," 197). "He interprets between gods and men, conveying to the gods the prayers and sacrifices of men, and to men the commands and replies of the gods : he is the mediator who spans the chasm which divides them, and in him all is bound together.... Through love all the intercourse and speech of God with man, whether awake or asleep, is carried on. The wisdom which understands this is spiritual" (Id., 202 - 3).

Trench cites the following Italian proverbs : "He who has love in his heart has spurs in his sides." " Love rules without law. "" Love rules his kingdom without a sword." " Love is the master of all arts. "See, also, Stanley's essay on" The Apostolic Doctrine of Love; " Commentary, p. 237.