@blake_levrets: Gifts of the Spirit

Today our reading was 1 Corinthians 12. This is one of the most misrepresented chapters in the entire Bible. I’d like to explain to you how I believe. Now, I’ll put 2 disclaimers on it, one, this in now way represents whatever organization I’m apart of. This is where I land while reading this chapter. There are a few key things that are important to the gospel and salvation and this is not one of them. This is what you would call a gray area, I’m ok with that. Are you? Two, I’m not perfect, my interpretation is not perfect, so if you run into me in 20 years and you want to talk about it, God might have showed me something else in this passage that caused me to adjust my view. Once again, I’m ok with that. Gray Area. Cool?

Also, I’m going to bust out my Greek New Testament Word Study. If you want to read my disclaimer about using Greek stuff check out my post It’s All Greek to Me.

Now to get down to it. I do believe in the gifts of the Spirit. 1 Corinthians is such a crazy book (letter) because Paul was dealing with a SUPER jacked up church. You have to remember that, it’s called context. The church at Corinth was so crazy they were excited that a guy was sleeping with his mom. Seriously, check out Chapter 5, verse 1. Along with that they were out of control in their worship time. They had carried over a bunch of their pagan practices into the worship of Christ. Paul was desperately trying to right the ship because he knew what a huge impact the Church could have in that region. Because this is such a unique book I’m going to stay within it. I’m not going to quote other books of the Bible to prove a point.

So, as Paul is starting this section he gives us a key passage. Verse 7: But to each one is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. (NASB) When concerning gifts you have to remember that it’s not about you! It’s not about your ability or how cool you are. It’s not even about God! You heard me. Paul says the Spirit gives gifts for the common good of other humans. It’s for others. The word that’s translated ‘common good’ is Sumphero (storng’s #4851). Sumphero literally means to bring together. If it is a true gift of the Spirit it will always bring people together.

The gifts that Paul mentions in verses 8-10 is not a complete list. Once again I refer back to the fact that Paul was trying to fix something. It’s the same reason he told them not to marry in 7:27. Not because getting married is wrong, but he wants them to build a foundation before they move forward. Paul doesn’t want to expose them to other gifts until they have a good belief of what they are for. Paul again tries to explain to them the importance of unity within the church. He uses a body as a great illustration in verses 12-27. In verse 20 he says, “But now there are many members, but one body.” The word ‘one’ is Heis (strong’s #1520). There’s no distinction of different parts. Even though he says ‘many members’ that’s not how we look at each other. We are one. At base level, every day of our lives I am the same as you, God chooses to show up, or gives us gifts that are different. Not because of who we are or what we’ve done, but because God choose to do it that way.

Then in verse 31 things get muddy. Paul says, “But earnestly desire the greater gifts. And I show you a still more excellent way.” That’s a curveball at first read. He just spent the last 30 verses explaining how we’re all the same and God chooses to give us gifts and we should just take what we get and use it to build the kingdom. There are three keys to why this verse is in there. One, remember context. He’s not promoting gifts he’s promoting unity. He’s righting the ship. Two, ‘greater’ is not what we think of in our western mindset. It’s not a competitive thing. It’s not a ‘I kicked that ball further’ or ‘I can run higher’ or ‘I scored better on that test’ thing. The word is Kreisson (strong’s #2909) and it means benevolently good. Paul wants you to desire the gifts that have the most impact on peoples lives. The ones that help you help others.

If you’re still reading you’re about to get the most important thing about gifts. I said there are three reasons verse 31 is in there. Want to know the third one? It’s the best. Paul tells them you think gifts are cool, there’s something even cooler that will help you reach out and unite people all over the world. It’s the ‘more excellent way’ he’s talking about. It’s called Love. Did you ever think 1 Corinthians 13 was weird in the middle of all this gift stuff? I mean, you read that at weddings right? Love is patient, love is kind, etc…we’ll talk about that tomorrow, but it boils down to this: Gifts are cool but love is better. You can be the best speaker, healer, administrator, apostle, teacher, linguist, interpreter, etc…that has ever walked the face of the earth but NOTHING brings people to Christ like love. Nothing unites people like love. Nothing heals people or teaches people like love. If you want to desire something, desire that God gives you love for your fellow human beings.

To quote Martin Smith, one of the greatest worship song writers ever, “Your love. It is the compass of my heart. Your love. It is the thing that let me start.”

Thanks for sticking around for all this. I’ll do in depth stuff for Chapters 13 & 14 too. Love you (seriously)!

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