1 Corinthians 12:1

Now concerning. This chapter marks the beginning of a new subject, which continues through ch. 14. The subject is spiritual gifts, concerning which there was doubtless considerable misunderstanding. It is also clear that there was some abuse of the gifts, as well as unfortunate rivalry between possessors of various gifts.

Spiritual gifts. The word “gifts” is supplied, but correctly, as the context seems clearly to indicate. These gifts were provided for the church in a special way when Jesus ascended to heaven (Eph. 4:8, 11). They were intended to operate for the purpose of bringing the church into unity and a fit condition to meet the Lord (see Eph. 4:12-15). It would appear that the Corinthian believers had asked a question concerning the relative greatness of these gifts of the Spirit, and that some of them had been boasting that the gifts they had were greater and more important than those granted to other members (see 1 Cor. 12:18-23). Paul took the opportunity thus presented him, to give them instruction in the subject of the work of the Spirit in Christ’s mystical body, His church. The Holy Spirit of God has been in the church from the beginning (see AA 37, 53; PP 593, 594; COL 218). Hence the gifts of the Spirit were not confined to NT times. This is evident from the fact that many prophets existed in ancient times. It is God’s will and plan that His church shall be empowered by gifts till the end of time (Eph. 4:8, 11-13; AA 54, 55). The gifts are all from God; therefore there can be no possible ground for the human agent to boast over his fellows because he has been favored of Heaven as an instrument for the manifestation of the power of God in a special way for the benefit of the church as a whole (see 1 Cor. 12:11).

It should be noted that the gifts of the Spirit are not the same as the fruit of the Spirit (Gal. 5:22, 23). The former comprise endowments of divine power upon individuals in the church for the accomplishment of God’s purpose in bringing about the perfection of His church. The fruits of the Spirit are qualities of character that appear in church members who surrender themselves wholly to the guidance of the Holy Spirit and are actuated by the supreme attribute of the Spirit, which is love (see 1 Cor. 13:13; Gal. 5:22, 23; AA 388; COL 68, 69; 5T 169; 4T 355).

Ignorant. Paul was anxious that the Corinthians should be under no delusions regarding the true nature of the spiritual gifts, and the right use of these gifts in the church. The need for a clarification of this subject doubtless arose from the fact that the Corinthians had but recently separated from heathenism (see v. 2). In that state they had been without knowledge of the revelation of the true God, and of the influence of the Holy Spirit. They were thus unqualified to form correct opinions concerning these new experiences, unless they were carefully instructed and accepted that instruction without reserve. The power that once influenced them had been broken when they accepted the Saviour, and the power of God had been specially confirmed in them by the gifts of the Spirit.