The use of it was this: that they might not be imposed upon by masks, of mere pretences, (743) but might by that spiritual judgment distinguish, as by a particular mark, the true ministers of Christ from the false. discerning of spirits--discerning between the operation of God's Spirit, and the evil spirit, or unaided human spirit ( 1 Corinthians 14:29 ; compare 1 Timothy 4:1 , 1 John 4:1 ). — Ed. But as the Holy Spirit, through all the law and the prophets gave Testimony to the Messiah, and as Jesus proved himself to be the Christ both by his miracles and doctrines, no man under the inspiration of the Divine Spirit could say to him anathema - thou art a deceiver, and a person worthy of death, etc., as the Jews did: therefore the Jews were no longer under the inspiration of the Spirit of God. of God . . same God . all made to drink into one Spirit--The oldest manuscripts read, "Made to drink of one Spirit," omitting "into" ( John 7:37 ). The former means because — assigning a reason: the latter means when; and this latter reading suits much better. https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/cal/1-corinthians-12.html. are . In both passages, he brings forward the similitude of the human body, but, as may be observed, on different accounts. Let us then takeknowledge as meaning ordinary information, and wisdom, as including revelations that are of a more secret and sublime order. (752) Thus he mentioned above in the tenth chapter (1 Corinthians 10:17) simply the bread, making no mention of the cup. Now that we have the whole written New Testament (which they had not) and Christianity established as the result of the miracles, we need no further miracle to attest the truth. Those that are perpetual, are such as are necessary for the government of the Church; those that are temporary, are such as were appointed at the beginning for the founding of the Church, and the raising up of Christ’s kingdom; and these, in a short time afterwards, ceased. Besides recommending your zealous desire for the greatest gifts, I am about to show you a something still more excellent (literally, "a way most way-like") to desire, "the way of love" (compare 1 Corinthians 14:1 ). 4. diversities of gifts--that is, varieties of spiritual endowments peculiar to the several members of the Church: compare "dividing to every man severally" ( 1 Corinthians 12:11 ). Not one is useless; not one unnecessary. . Each church is in miniature what the whole aggregate of churches is collectively, "the body of Christ" (compare 1 Corinthians 3:16 ): and its individual components are members, every one in his assigned place. For there is mention made here of the Spirit, secondly of the Lord, and lastly of God, and to these Three, one and the same operation is ascribed.
The foot planted on the ground to support the whole fabric, and the hands that swing at liberty, and the eye that is continually taking in near and distant prospects, are all equally serviceable to the whole, and mutually helpful to and dependent on each other. As to the other ecclesiastical officers with which the Romish Church teems, they may seek them who are determined to find them, any where out of the New Testament.
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Thus the first class includes “the word of wisdom,” and “the word of knowledge.
helps, governments--lower and higher departments of "ministrations" ( 1 Corinthians 12:5 ); as instances of the former, deacons whose office it was to help in the relief of the poor, and in baptizing and preaching, subordinate to higher ministers ( Acts 6:1-10 , 8:5-17 ); also, others who helped with their time and means, in the Lord's cause (compare 1 Corinthians 13:13 , Numbers 11:17 ). Lest any one, however, should imagine, that this is effected by the outward symbol, he adds that it is the work of the Holy Spirit. 2 . Their very feebleness, so far from doing away with the need for them, calls forth our greater care for their preservation, as being felt "necessary.".
In the three preceding verses we find more than an indirect reference to the doctrine of the sacred Trinity. What madness, then, would it be, should one member, instead of giving way to another, (755) conspire for its own ruin and that of the body!”, 18.But now God hath placed. bestow .
Hence every one, that would remain in the Church of Christ, must necessarily cultivate this fellowship.” He speaks, however, of the baptism of believers, which is efficacious through the grace of the Spirit, for, in the case of many, baptism is merely in the letter — the symbol without the reality; but believers, along with the sacrament, receive the reality.
That to prophecy, signifying preaching, which it frequently does, helps is a parallel. Members severally. On the 8th, 9th, and 10th verses ( 1 Corinthians 12:8-10;), much may be seen in Lightfoot, Whitby, Pearce, and others.
word of knowledge--ready utterance supernaturally imparted of truths ALREADY REVEALED (in this it is distinguished from "the word of wisdom," which related to NEW revelations).
If the foot shall say, etc. And that no man can say that Jesus is the Lord - Nor can we demonstrate this person to be the Messiah and the Savior of men, but by the Holy Ghost, enabling us to speak with divers tongues, to work miracles; he attesting the truth of our doctrines to them that hear, by enlightening their minds, changing their hearts, and filling them with the peace and love of God. In three several places in this chapter the apostle sums up the gifts of the Spirit. Ye were at one time Gentiles, says he, without God, Hence the members have the same care one for another. Paul sets forth in order: (1).