Sermon Tone Analysis

*1 Corinthians 12:1-3…* Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I do not want you to be unaware.

2 You know that when you were pagans, you were led astray to the dumb idols, however you were led. 3 Therefore I make known to you, that no one speaking by the Spirit of God says, "Jesus is accursed"; and no one can say, "Jesus is Lord," except by the Holy Spirit.

*Commentary*

            When one thinks of the worst possible church that ever existed one need go no further than the church in Corinth in the 1st century.

There were divisions, sexual escapades, law suits among believers, rampant divorce, racial~/social distinctions, and an abuse of the spiritual gifts given by God to all believers.

On top of all their immoralities they were an out-of-control group of charismatics who left their minds, wits, and logic outside the church doors.

They had abandoned proper doctrine found only in the Scriptures for the occultic ecstasy found in the mystery religions of their day – religions that promoted the speaking in ecstatic utterances, shouting prophecies while calling attention to themselves, and “worshipping” in utter confusion.

So now Paul addresses the next concern on his agenda – that of “spiritual things [gifts].”

Since this was another abuse in their church Paul did not want them to be “unaware” (Greek /agnostic/) – a word that refers to ignorance.

This is the quest of any pastor~/Bible teacher, for it is their passion to keep those under their pastoral care informed and educated in the Scriptures.

In v. 2 Paul refers back to the former state of the Corinthian believers prior to their conversion to Christ.

Back when they were “pagans” they were led astray to “dumb” idols.

The word for “pagan” in Greek is “Gentile” referring to those who believe in many “gods” as opposed to the Christian and Jewish singular “God” (Yahweh; Jehovah).

These pagan “gods” (idols) were “dumb” (Greek /aphonos/) – a word that doesn’t refer to intelligence but rather to muteness.

These “gods” couldn’t answer prayer, heal, save, or even speak.

They were “dumb,” but they were the gods the Corinthians formerly worshipped and were “led astray” by – used in reference to prisoners being taken away for execution.

So it was that the Corinthians were also “led astray” by the deceptions of Satan into believing in false gods.

It was that life they were saved from.

It’s ironic that non-Christians (pagans) actually believe they are free and~/or have a freewill when in fact they are bound in spiritual chains with one destination: /eternal destruction/.

It appears from Paul’s words in v. 3 that there were professed believers in the Corinthian church who were cursing Jesus while at the same time manifesting gifts of the Spirit.

Of course anyone who did such was not speaking from God, but the Corinthians were so far from God they couldn’t tell the difference.

It is very likely that they were judging the validity of the spiritual gifts based upon how spectacular they were as opposed to the content they espoused.

The more hyped and euphoric the message was at the “worship” gathering the more they were convinced it was from God.

But no can say from the heart that “Jesus is Lord” without having the Spirit, and no one could “curse” Jesus by that same Spirit.

To admit that Jesus is “Lord” is simply to admit that Jesus is God Almighty.

Those who can’t do that are not speaking by the Holy Spirit.

*Food for Thought*

            Don’t be duped by some of today’s churches that boast about their magnificent worship apart from the preaching of God’s Word.

Many today, without actually knowing it, are cursing the name of Jesus Christ through their ecstatic utterances they call tongues.

Even in the music of many churches today Christ’s name is slandered by well-meaning people through unorthodox lyrics.

Make no mistake, there is a right and a wrong way to worship God.

Preaching and teaching from the Bible and obeying the doctrines it espouses is what true worship really is.

*1 Corinthians12:4-7…* Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit.

5 And there are varieties of ministries, and the same Lord.

6 And there are varieties of effects, but the same God who works all things in all persons.

7 But to each one is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good.

*Commentary*

            In v. 1 Paul turned his attention to “spiritual things,” and in v. 4 the “things” are clearly in reference to spiritual “gifts.”

The word for “gifts” in the Greek text is “charisma” – referring to “a gift of grace.”

Of the 17 uses of this word in the New Testament 16 of them are connected to God as the giver (gifts of salvation, blessings, etc.).

Not to be confused with talents, of which even pagans possess, spiritual gifts come to ALL Christians, supernaturally given by the Holy Spirit for the purpose of equipping them to minister to others, especially to other Christians.

If they go unused by even one believer then God’s work is often hindered.

Each believer makes up the body of Jesus Christ (who is the “head”), and all gifts are intended to come together to do just that.

The spiritual gifts are the focal point of 1 Cor.

12-14, and Paul addresses their abuse.

In v. 4 Paul says, first of all, that there are a “variety” of gifts.

This word refers to “division; distribution.”

In other words there are many gifts (“charismata”), but they all come from the “same Spirit” – that is, the Holy Spirit.

So, spiritual gifts are given by the third member of the Trinity – the Holy Spirit.

He distributes different gifts to different Christians.

In v. 5 Paul continues by saying, “there are a variety of ministries.”

The word for “ministry” (Greek “diakonia”) is the same word used for “deacon; service; servant” in the Bible.

Jesus came to earth to do ministry, for he said, “The Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve” (Mark 10:45).

Now the “variety” of ministries as they relate to the spiritual gifts means that there are variations within the spiritual gifts.

For instance, one who possesses the gift of teaching may be real good at teaching adults and not-so-good at teaching children.

The converse is true as well where one person may have the gift of teaching children while not being so good at teaching adults.

One person may have a heart and a passion for encouraging prisoners (the gift of exhortation) while another has the same gift of exhortation and desires to encourage pastors.

The point being that ministries are many, but all of them derive from “the Lord.”

In v. 6 there is also a “variety of effects, but the same God.”

The word for “effects” is literally “energema” from whence we get “energy.”

The word refers to “deeds; working; activity.”

It is God the Father who provides the “deeds” of the spiritual gifts and the ministries of the Lord, and it is He “who causes the growth” (1 Cor.

3:7).

And v. 7 shows that each Christian is given the “manifestation” of the Spirit “for the common good.”

In other words, God’s Holy Spirit has set forth plainly His gifts to Christians “to be beneficial” – for the good of the body.

*Food for Thought*

            Notice that the Godhead, the Trinity, comprised of God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit, deals out and controls the gifts of the Spirit, the “charismata.”

These gifts derive from the Spirit, the ministries from the Lord (Jesus), and the effects of them derive from the Father.

The Triune God works cohesively as a unit.

Now in the same way that God works, so too must the church work – as a cohesive unit.

Each member of Christ’s church also has a function.

When we come together and share our gifts to work as one cohesive unit only then do we fulfill God’s purpose.

When we stand apart from other Christians, failing to come together for the better of each member, we stand divided.

Let us share our gifts with one another, and let us bless each other with our gift(s) God has given to us for that very reason.

Let us glorify Him in that.

*1 Corinthians 12:8…* For to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, and to another the word of knowledge according to the same Spirit; to another faith by the same Spirit.

*Commentary*

            Paul explains a handful of the spiritual gifts given by the Holy Spirit in vv.

8-10 (see also 14:28; Rom.

12:6-8; Eph.

4:11).

This list shows the varieties of gifts – all from the same Spirit.

First, the “word of wisdom” in v. 8 (/logos sophia/).

Wisdom was readily sought by the Corinthians, and Paul clarified what true wisdom was in relation to their corruption of the term in 1:17-2:16.

They believed wisdom came from worldly knowledge, but Paul said that true wisdom comes from the Holy Spirit – from understanding “Christ crucified.”

So, on one hand, the gift of wisdom is given to all true Christians because only they understand the message of salvation.

But wisdom also refers to a speaking gift – such as when a prophet received direct revelation from God.

Now today with the written Word given to us that particular ability has ceased.

It does manifest itself, however, as a unique ability of pastors~/teachers who possess a knack to apply truths gained from the Word and who can make skillful and practical application of those truths.

Second, the “word of knowledge” is a spiritual gift.

Knowledge is one of three gifts in 1 Cor.

13:8 that Paul says will end along with tongues and prophecy.

“Knowledge” (Greek “gnosis”) refers to things known.

Since knowledge can be attained through study of the written Word (as opposed to just “attaining it”), and since it will “pass away” in 1 Cor.

13:8, knowledge as a true spiritual gift has likely ceased.

What it referred to in the apostolic era was the ability of the apostles and prophets to impart God’s “gnosis” through His divine revelation to them and its relation to Jesus Christ to the masses.

They heard Jesus teach, but after his death~/resurrection it all came clear to them, and their message changed the world.

God gave them the necessary knowledge, they imparted it, wrote it down (the Bible), and the gift “passed away.”

Today true knowledge is attained through study of the Scriptures and grasping their meaning which stems from true wisdom given to those who have wisdom – a gift itself not earned but granted.

The third gift is “faith.”

This is not to be confused with /saving/ faith, of which a measure has been given to all Christians (Rom.

12:3).

This gift has to do with the ability to trust God in ALL situations and manifests itself in unusual deeds of trust (i.e., moving mountains in 13:2).