April 30, 2010 Lesson 9 of 1 Corinthians 12

List the different kinds of gift and of service that Paul mentions in this chapter. On what principle are they given, and for what purpose? What responsibility does the possession of such a gift put on the person who has it? Answer: The big one that sticks out is speaking in tongues. I can see how this can be interpreted in several different ways. I would be interested to go back and study it in its original text and language (not that if I would be able to do that now). The other gifts include wisdom, knowledge, healing, faith, prophecy, and miraculous powers. They are given by the Spirit for us to help and support on another as the parts of the body help the whole.


Consider how the character of the human body illustrates both the unity and the diversity of the church. What other lessons does the apostle draw from this illustration? Answer: He is telling us that we each have a purpose as set forth by the Spirit so that the body of Christ can work for the Glory of God. We should work together by each doing our “assigned job,” not looking to do something that God does not want us to do (i.e. don’t try to be a rocket scientist when you can’t even understand aeronautics, no matter how much you may love to be a rocket scientist).


Note: V1-3. The necessary and decisive test of the presence of the Spirit of God in those exercising spiritual gifts is loyalty to Jesus as Lord. Cf. 1 John 4:1-3.