Spiritual Gifts: Unity in Diversity 1 Corinthians 12:1 Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I do not want you to be ignorant: He does not want the saints at Corinth to be ignorant in the matter of spiritual manifestations or gifts. The literal reading here is “Now concerning ‘spirituals,’ brethren, I do not want you to be ignorant.” Most versions supply the word gifts to complete the sense. However, the next verse suggests that Paul might have been thinking not only of manifestations of the Holy Spirit but of evil spirits as well. 1 Corinthians 12:2 You know that you were Gentiles, carried away to these dumb idols, however you were led. Before conversion the Corinthians had been idolaters, enslaved by evil spirits. They lived in fear of the spirits and were led about by these diabolical influences. They witnessed supernatural manifestations of the spirit world and heard spirit-inspired utterances. Under the influence of evil spirits, they sometimes surrendered self-control, and said and did things beyond their own conscious powers. 1 Corinthians 12:3 Therefore I make known to you that no one speaking by the Spirit of God calls Jesus accursed, and no one can say that Jesus is Lord except by the Holy Spirit. Now that they are saved, the believers must know how to judge all spirit-manifestations, that is, how to discern between the voice of evil spirits and the authentic voice of the Holy Spirit. The crucial test is the testimony that is given concerning the Lord Jesus. If a man says, “Jesus is accursed,” you can be sure that he is demon-inspired, because evil spirits characteristically blaspheme and curse the name of Jesus. The Spirit of God would never lead anyone to speak of the Savior in this way; His ministry is to exalt the Lord Jesus. He leads people to say that Jesus is Lord, not just with their lips, but with the warm, full confession of their hearts and lives.Notice that the three Persons of the Trinity are mentioned in verse 3 and also in verses 4–6. 1 Corinthians 12:4 There are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. These categories of giftedness are not natural talents, skills, or abilities, such as are possessed by believers and unbelievers alike. They are sovereignly and supernaturally bestowed by the Holy Spirit on all believers (vv. 7, 11), enabling them to spiritually edify each other effectively and thus honor the Lord. The varieties of gifts fall into two general types, speaking and serving (see vv. 8–10; cf. Ro 12:6–8; 1Pe 4:10, 11). The speaking, or verbal, gifts (prophecy, knowledge, wisdom, teaching, and exhortation) and the serving, nonverbal gifts (leadership, helps, giving, mercy, faith, and discernment) operate throughout the church age. Their purpose is to edify the church and glorify God. 1 Corinthians 12:5 There are differences of ministries, but the same Lord. Next the apostle points out that there are differences of ministries or services in the church. We don’t all have the same work. But what we have in common is that whatever we do is done for the same Lord and with a view to serving others (not self). 1 Corinthians 12:6 And there are diversities of activities, but it is the same God who works all in all. Then again, though there are diversities of activities as far as spiritual gifts are concerned, it is the same God who empowers each believer. If one gift seems more successful or spectacular or powerful than another, it is not because of any superiority in the person possessing it. It is God who supplies the power. 1 Corinthians 12:7 But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all: The Spirit manifests Himself in the life of each believer by imparting some gift. There is no believer who does not have a function to perform. And the gifts are given for the profit of the entire body. They are not given for self-display or even for self-gratification but in order to help others. 1 Corinthians 12:8 for to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, to another the word of knowledge through the same Spirit, The word of wisdom is the supernatural power to speak with divine insight, whether in solving difficult problems, defending the faith, resolving conflicts, giving practical advice, or pleading one’s case before hostile authorities. Stephen so demonstrated the word of wisdom that his adversaries “were not able to resist the wisdom and the Spirit by which he spoke” (Acts 6:10). The word of knowledge is the power to communicate information that has been divinely revealed. This is illustrated in Paul’s use of such expressions as “Behold, I tell you a mystery” (1 Cor. 15:51) and “For this we say to you by the word of the Lord”.