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Biblion Bible Commentary

Read the introduction to 1 Corinthians · About this commentary

The Same Spirit Distributing to Each

1 Corinthians 12:4-11

4 Now there are various kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit. · WEB

Variety of gifts, one source — and the list is bracketed at both ends by the Spirit's sovereign choice and the profit of everybody.

Now there are various kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit. There are various kinds of service, and the same Lord. There are various kinds of workings, but the same God who works all things in all 1 Corinthians 12:4–6.

Three parallel sentences, each pairing diversity with unity, and the three divine names appear in turn — Spirit, Lord, God. The structure carries the argument before any gift is named: difference among the gifts is not evidence of competing sources, and sameness of source is not an argument for uniformity of gift.

The three words for the gifts are also worth noting. They are gifts, freely given, which forecloses boasting 1 Corinthians 4:7; they are service, which makes them jobs rather than honors; and they are workings, God's own activity rather than the possessor's ability.

But to each one is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the profit of all 1 Corinthians 12:7.

The governing sentence of the chapter, and both halves are aimed at Corinth. To each one — nobody is without something, so no member may consider himself unequipped, as the foot and the ear will shortly complain 1 Corinthians 12:15–16. And for the profit of all — the gift is given to a person for other people, which is the same principle that settled the argument about idol food 1 Corinthians 10:24 1 Corinthians 10:33. A gift used to establish the giftedness of its holder has been turned to a purpose it was not given for.

For to one is given through the Spirit the word of wisdom, and to another the word of knowledge... to another faith... and to another gifts of healings... workings of miracles... prophecy... discerning of spirits... different kinds of languages... the interpretation of languages 1 Corinthians 12:8–10.

Nine items, and the list is not a system. It is not exhaustive — other lists in Scripture name different things, including service, teaching, encouragement, giving, mercy and administration Romans 12:6–8 Ephesians 4:11 1 Peter 4:10–11 — and no ranking is offered here, though one is given later 1 Corinthians 12:28. What the list does is set spectacular items beside unremarkable ones in the same series, with the same phrase attached: by the same Spirit.

But the one and the same Spirit produces all of these, distributing to each one separately as he desires 1 Corinthians 12:11.

The paragraph closes where it opened, on the single source, and adds the decisive clause: as he desires. The distribution is the Spirit's choice, not the recipient's achievement or request. That removes the ground from under both the proud and the disappointed — a person cannot take credit for a gift he was assigned, and cannot resent an assignment that was made by someone who sees the whole body.

settled What this mark means