1Cor 12-14 | TNotes | STEP | Summary for 1Cor 12:1-14:40: 12:1–14:40 The church at Corinth had placed too much emphasis on the gift of tongues (see 14:1-25 , 27 ; cp. the lists in 12:8-10 , 28 , where Paul places tongues last), so Paul gives corrective advice regarding the value and use of spiritual gifts. Summary for 1Cor 12:1-3: 12:1-3 Paul introduces the topic, emphasizing the active presence of the Holy Spirit in believers.

Summary for 1Cor 12:1-14:40: 12:1–14:40 ^a The church at Corinth had placed too much emphasis on the gift of tongues (see 14:1-25 ^b, 27 ^c; cp. the lists in 12:8-10 ^d, 28 ^e, where Paul places tongues last), so Paul gives corrective advice regarding the value and use of spiritual gifts.
Summary for 1Cor 12:1-3: 12:1-3 ^f Paul introduces the topic, emphasizing the active presence of the Holy Spirit in believers.
12:2 ^g pagans: Gentile unbelievers.
12:3 ^h Paul gives two criteria for discerning the presence of the Spirit in worship. (1) Those who curse Jesus thereby express their rejection of Jesus and his message and thus cannot be speaking by the Spirit of God. (2) The presence of the Holy Spirit in believers’ lives is shown by their sincere confession that Jesus is Lord. This is perhaps the earliest Christian creed (cp. Rom 10:9 ⁱ, 13 ^j; 2 Cor 4:5 ^k; Phil 2:11 ^l; 1 Jn 4:2-3 ^m).
Summary for 1Cor 12:4-11: 12:4-11 ⁿ Though believers are united in the Lord and his Spirit, God gives different kinds of spiritual gifts to different people so that they can fulfill different kinds of service to the same Lord (see also 7:7 ^o; 12:7-11 ^p, 28-31 ^q; Rom 12:6-8 ^r; Eph 4:11 ^s).
12:6 ^t All the work believers do for God is in fact God working through them (see 15:10 ^u; 2 Cor 4:7 ^v; Gal 2:8 ^w; Phil 2:13 ^x; cp. Gal 2:20 ^y).
12:7 ^z Spiritual gifts are not given for the individual recipients’ benefit but to help each other (cp. 1 Pet 4:10-11 ^aa).
Summary for 1Cor 12:8-10: 12:8-10 ^ab This list of nine spiritual gifts is a representative rather than complete list (cp. 12:28-30 ^ac; Rom 12:6-8 ^ad; Eph 4:11 ^ae). 12:8 ^af God’s Spirit gives supernatural wisdom or knowledge to some believers.

• gives a message of special knowledge: cp. 1:5 ^ag; 8:1 ^ah; 13:2 ^ai, 8 ^aj.
12:9 ^ak The spiritual gift of great faith is not the faith required for salvation but an unusual ability to trust God for special needs (see 13:2 ^al; Matt 17:19-20 ^am; cp. Acts 6:5 ^an; 11:24 ^ao).
12:10 ^ap The ability to prophesy does not refer primarily to predicting the future, but to speaking a special message directly from God (see 11:4-5 ^aq; 13:2 ^ar, 8 ^as; 14:1-25 ^at, 29-33 ^au; 1 Thes 5:20 ^av; cp. Acts 13:1-2 ^aw; 21:4 ^ax, 10-11 ^ay).

• The ability to discern whether a message is from the Spirit of God or from another spirit is a necessary gift for any Christian community that is open to hearing a word directly from God (see 1 Cor 14:29 ^az; 1 Thes 5:19-21 ^ba; cp. Acts 16:16-18 ^bb; 1 Jn 4:1-3 ^bc).

• For Paul, the ability to speak in unknown languages here refers to spiritual language that requires the spiritual gift of interpretation in order to be understood. By placing this gift near the bottom of the list (both here and in 1 Cor 12:28 ^bd), Paul shows the lesser priority to be attached to the gift of tongues, with which the Corinthian church had become over-enamored (cp. 13:1 ^be, 8 ^bf; 14:1-25 ^bg, 27 ^bh).

• The ability to interpret does not refer to natural intellectual ability to translate, but to a spiritual ability to understand the meaning of the Spirit’s message communicated through the gift of tongues (see 14:5 ^bi, 13 ^bj, 26-28 ^bk).
12:11 ^bl The Spirit ... decides which gift each person should have: See 12:4 ^bm, 6 ^bn, 18 ^bo, 28 ^bp. Paul paradoxically affirms both the sovereign choice of God in giving spiritual gifts and the human responsibility to “earnestly desire the most helpful gifts” (12:31 ^bq).
Summary for 1Cor 12:12-31: 12:12-31 ^br The church is like a body (see 12:27 ^bs) composed of many different parts, each with its own function as determined by God (see 12:11 ^bt, 18 ^bu, 28 ^bv; Rom 12:4-5 ^bw).
12:13 ^bx Ethnic and social distinctions have no significance in the church (see Gal 3:28 ^by; Col 3:11 ^bz).

• baptized into one body by one Spirit: Water baptism symbolizes a spiritual baptism in which the believer is united with Christ and the church by the work of the Holy Spirit.
Summary for 1Cor 12:14-21: 12:14-21 ^ca These verses move from the image of a physical body to the image of the church as a spiritual body. Every part of the body is important and essential to its proper functioning. Believers should neither boast of their spiritual ministry nor belittle it in comparison to the ministries of other believers. God, who made the body, has put each part just where he wants it (12:18 ^cb).
Summary for 1Cor 12:22-26: 12:22-26 ^cc The seemingly weaker and less significant parts of the body are the most necessary and should be given special attention and respect so that the whole body will function well.
Summary for 1Cor 12:25-26: 12:25-26 ^cd The church is a unified body, so harmony and care for each other in the church is essential.
Summary for 1Cor 12:28-31: 12:28-31 ^ce Paul lists some of the different individual roles given to people in the church (see also the list in 12:8-10 ^cf; cp. Rom 12:6-8 ^cg; Eph 4:11 ^ch). 12:28 ^ci Apostles are specially commissioned emissaries of Christ in the world (see also Eph 4:11 ^cj).

• Prophets speak a word from God (see 12:10 ^ck and corresponding study note; Eph 4:11 ^cl; cp. Acts 13:1-2 ^cm).

• Teachers instruct others in the faith (Rom 12:7 ^cn; Eph 4:11 ^co; cp. Acts 13:1 ^cp).

• those who speak in unknown languages: See study note on 12:10.
Summary for 1Cor 12:29-30: 12:29-30 ^cq These rhetorical questions all expect the answer, Of course not! Paul gently rebukes those who are jealous of others. Believers are to gratefully accept the gifts God has given them, and not to envy other gifts or elevate any gifts as more important than others (but see 12:31 ^cr).
12:31 ^cs Believers are to earnestly desire the most helpful gifts, those that have the greatest potential to build up the church (see 14:12 ^ct), while realizing that God is the one who distributes gifts as he chooses (12:11 ^cu, 18 ^cv, 28 ^cw). Paul encourages the Corinthians to move beyond their desire for the gift of tongues (cp. 14:1-25 ^cx, 27 ^cy; see 12:10 ^cz) because it has the least potential, of all the gifts, to build up the church.

• But now let me show you: This statement transitions to Paul’s description of love in 13:1-13 ^da. Love is a way of life that is best of all.

‏ 1 Corinthians 13

Summary for 1Cor 13:1-13: 13:1-13 ^db Paul interrupts his discussion of spiritual gifts (resumed in ch 14 ^dc) to emphasize that love is more important than any spiritual gift (cp. 8:1-3 ^dd). The most important thing for Christians is to become deeply and consistently loving people.
Summary for 1Cor 13:1-3: 13:1-3 ^de Spiritual gifts in themselves do not define our worth to God or to the church. In fact, apart from the expression of love, spiritual gifts are of no value. 13:1 ^df all the languages of earth (literally the tongues of men) and of angels: Tongues was the spiritual gift most highly prized by the Corinthians (see also 12:10 ^dg, 28 ^dh; 14:1-25 ^di, 27 ^dj). Some may have thought tongues to be the language of angels; in Acts, Luke uses the same term to refer to natural human languages (see Acts 2:4-13 ^dk).
13:2 ^dl If I ... possessed all knowledge possibly refers to the gift of “special knowledge” (12:8 ^dm).
13:3 ^dn sacrificed my body, I could boast about it: Some manuscripts read sacrificed my body to be burned; it would have been easy for a copyist to change the text accidentally, because in Greek the two readings differ only by one letter. It is unclear which reading is to be preferred; however, the manuscripts supporting the reading I could boast are generally better.

• I would have gained nothing: Even the most impressive sacrificial acts mean nothing if not motivated by love.
Summary for 1Cor 13:4-7: 13:4-7 ^do This description of Christian love emphasizes the willingness to give up one’s own desires for the good of others (see also 8:1–10:33 ^dp; Rom 5:6-8 ^dq; 15:3 ^dr; 2 Cor 8:9 ^ds; Phil 2:4-8 ^dt).
13:5 ^du It does not demand its own way: Love is not self-centered, not concerned simply with its own interests (see Phil 2:4-8 ^dv).
Summary for 1Cor 13:8-13: 13:8-13 ^dw Love, in contrast to spiritual gifts, will last forever. 13:8 ^dx Love will last forever, because God is love (cp. 1 Jn 4:7-12 ^dy, 16 ^dz).
13:9 ^ea None of the spiritual gifts gives us full understanding; unlike love, they are all limited in their benefits.
13:12 ^eb The contrast between now and then is between this age and the coming age.

• Now we see things imperfectly, like puzzling reflections in a mirror: In Paul’s day, mirrors were usually made of polished bronze, so the view was imperfect. Our perception in this life is limited and our understanding is partial and incomplete.

• then: When the end comes and Christ establishes his eternal kingdom, we will see everything with perfect clarity. Then the spiritual gifts that give knowledge will be unnecessary.
13:13 ^ec Faith, hope, and love are more important than spiritual gifts because they last forever (see also Rom 5:1-5 ^ed; Gal 5:5-6 ^ee; Col 1:4-5 ^ef; 1 Thes 1:3 ^eg; 5:8 ^eh). Of the three, the greatest ... is love, because love is the quintessential nature of God himself (see 1 Jn 4:7-12 ^ei, 16-21 ^ej). So love should epitomize our relationship with him and others.

‏ 1 Corinthians 14

Summary for 1Cor 14:1-25: 14:1-25 ^ek Having emphasized the supreme importance of love (ch 13 ^el), Paul returns to the subject of spiritual gifts. Their relative value is defined by the benefit they give to others, which is characteristic of love (ch 13 ^em). In that light, Paul contrasts the over-valued gift of tongues with the more beneficial gift of prophecy. 14:1 ^en Of all the special abilities the Spirit gives (see study note on 12:1–14:40), Paul encourages the Corinthians to seek the ability to prophesy (see 12:10 ^eo) because of its greater benefit to the church.
Summary for 1Cor 14:2-4: 14:2-4 ^ep The problem with the gift of speaking in tongues is that hearers cannot readily understand the message; the gift of prophecy, however, is immediately intelligible and beneficial as a word from God that strengthens ... encourages ... and comforts those who hear.
14:4 ^eq The primary purpose of spiritual gifts is not self-edification, but the strengthening of the entire church (see 12:7 ^er; cp. 8:1 ^es; 14:12 ^et).
Summary for 1Cor 14:7-12: 14:7-12 ^eu A message needs to be clearly intelligible if it is to communicate effectively.
14:12 ^ev Special abilities from the Spirit are given to strengthen the whole church (see 12:7 ^ew; 14:4 ^ex; cp. Eph 4:15-16 ^ey).
14:13 ^ez Paul does not forbid speaking in tongues (see 14:39 ^fa), but the ability to interpret is crucial, especially in public worship (see 14:27-28 ^fb).
14:14 ^fc Speaking in tongues engages the spirit of the speaker (because the Holy Spirit is speaking through the person) but not his mind (because the message is not rationally intelligible).
Summary for 1Cor 14:15-17: 14:15-17 ^fd It is preferable both to worship in the spirit and to use words I understand in worship and ministry because public worship should always bless both God and others. Speaking in tongues without interpretation, though it gives glory to God and edification to the speaker (14:4 ^fe), fails to benefit others who are present.

• praise God along with you (literally say “amen” to your thanksgiving): Amen was the traditional congregational response to a prayer.
Summary for 1Cor 14:18-19: 14:18-19 ^ff Paul affirmed the personal value of speaking in tongues, but speaking in a church meeting should help others, not only the speaker.
14:20 ^fg To be mature in understanding such matters, one must consider the purpose of spiritual gifts and not treat them as ends in themselves for one’s own enjoyment.
Summary for 1Cor 14:21-25: 14:21-25 ^fh Paul used this quotation from Isa 28:11-12 ^fi to show that speaking in tongues is a sign, not for believers, but for unbelievers. However, in 1 Cor 14:23-25 ^fj, Paul argues that even unbelievers are more likely to be convicted by a word of prophecy than by speaking in tongues. His point is that, in public worship, the gift of prophecy is of greater usefulness than the gift of tongues.
14:25 ^fk “God is truly here among you.” Paul is alluding to Isa 45:14 ^fl.
Summary for 1Cor 14:26-40: 14:26-40 ^fm Paul gives specific procedures for the use of spiritual gifts in the church and emphasizes that they are to be expressed in an orderly way. Among the early Christians, church meetings were not led by professional pastors or priests. Instead, everyone shared with the others what God had given them for strengthening the church. 14:26 ^fn will sing: Literally has a psalm, either to be sung alone or for the fellowship to sing together (cp. Eph 5:19 ^fo; Col 3:16 ^fp).

• Everything that is done in public worship is to be for the purpose of strengthening the church (see 1 Cor 12:7 ^fq; 14:4 ^fr, 6 ^fs, 12 ^ft, 26 ^fu; cp. 8:1 ^fv).
Summary for 1Cor 14:27-28: 14:27-28 ^fw For a church overly eager for the gift of tongues (see 12:10 ^fx), Paul places limits on its public expression so it would be most helpful to the church: no more than two or three, ... one at a time, and only if there is someone present who can interpret the message.
Summary for 1Cor 14:29-32: 14:29-32 ^fy Public prophesying is to be expressed in an orderly way, sensitive to the guidance of the Spirit, so that everyone may benefit from it. The others are then to evaluate what is said to assess whether it is indeed a word from God (1 Thes 5:19-21 ^fz). Those with a word of prophecy are to take turns—prophecy is a divinely given word, but it is still subject to the control of the speaker.
Summary for 1Cor 14:34-35: 14:34-35 ^ga This aside in the discussion on using spiritual gifts reflects a perspective on women’s roles similar to that of the Pastoral Letters (see 1 Tim 2:11-15 ^gb).

• Paul advises women to be silent and submissive in church meetings. This instruction is to be understood in light of 1 Cor 11:5 ^gc, which clearly implies that women are permitted to pray and prophesy publicly.

• just as the law says: Possibly referring to Gen 3:16 ^gd.
Summary for 1Cor 14:36-37: 14:36-37 ^ge Paul expected the Corinthians to take his apostolic word seriously, as a command from the Lord himself.

• What I am saying probably refers to all of his teaching, especially as it relates to spiritual gifts.
Summary for 1Cor 14:39-40: 14:39-40 ^gf Paul summarizes his discussion of spiritual gifts (chs 12–14 ^gg).