Chapter 12
The
variety of use of spiritual gifts are shown
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1–11
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In
the human body every member has its place and use
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12–26
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This
is applied to the church of Christ
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27–30
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And
there is something more excellent than spiritual gifts
|
31
|
Verses 1–11
Spiritual
gifts were extraordinary powers bestowed in the first ages, to convince
unbelievers, and to spread the gospel. Gifts and graces greatly differ. Both
were freely given of God. But where grace is given, it is for the salvation of
those who have it. Gifts are for the advantage and salvation of others; and
there may be great gifts where there is no grace. The extraordinary gifts of
the Holy Spirit were chiefly exercised in the public assemblies, where the
Corinthians seem to have made displays of them, wanting in the spirit of piety,
and of Christian love. While heathens, they had not been influenced by the
Spirit of Christ. No man can call Christ Lord, with believing dependence upon
him, unless that faith is wrought by the Holy Ghost. No man could believe with
his heart, or prove by a miracle, that Jesus was Christ, unless by the Holy
Ghost. There are various gifts, and various offices to perform, but all proceed
from one God, one Lord, one Spirit; that is, from the Father, Son, and Holy
Ghost, the origin of all spiritual blessings. No man has them merely for
himself. The more he profits others, the more will they turn to his own
account. The gifts mentioned appear to mean exact understanding, and uttering
the doctrines of the Christian religion; the knowledge of mysteries, and skill
to give advice and counsel. Also the gift of healing the sick, the working of
miracles, and to explain Scripture by a peculiar gift of the Spirit, and
ability to speak and interpret languages. If we have any knowledge of the
truth, or any power to make it known, we must give all the glory of God. The
greater the gifts are, the more the possessor is exposed to temptations, and
the larger is the measure of grace needed to keep him humble and spiritual; and
he will meet with more painful experiences and humbling dispensations. We have
little cause to glory in any gifts bestowed on us, or to despise those who have
them not.
Verses 12–26
Christ and
his church form one body, as Head and members. Christians become members of
this body by baptism. The outward rite is of Divine institution; it is a sign
of the new birth, and is called therefore the washing of regeneration, Tit 3:5.
But it is by the Spirit, only by the renewing of the Holy Ghost, that we are
made members of Christ’s body. And by communion with Christ at the Lord’s
supper, we are strengthened, not by drinking the wine, but by drinking into one
Spirit. Each member has its form, place, and use. The meanest makes a part of
the body. There must be a distinction of members in the body. So Christ’s
members have different powers and different places. We should do the duties of
our own place, and not murmur, or quarrel with others. All the members of the
body are useful and necessary to each other. Nor is there a member of the body
of Christ, but may and ought to be useful to fellow-members. As in the natural
body of man, the members should be closely united by the strongest bonds of
love; the good of the whole should be the object of all. All Christians are
dependent one upon another; each is to expect and receive help from the rest.
Let us then have more of the spirit of union in our religion.
Verses 27–31
Contempt,
hatred, envy, and strife, are very unnatural in Christians. It is like the
members of the same body being without concern for one another, or quarrelling
with each other. The proud, contentious spirit that prevailed, as to spiritual
gifts, was thus condemned. The offices and gifts, or favours, dispensed by the
Holy Spirit, are noticed. Chief ministers; persons enabled to interpret
Scripture; those who laboured in word and doctrine; those who had power to heal
diseases; such as helped the sick and weak; such as disposed of the money given
in charity by the church, and managed the affairs of the church; and such as
could speak divers languages. What holds the last and lowest rank in this list,
is the power to speak languages; how vain, if a man does so merely to amuse or
to exalt himself! See the distribution of these gifts, not to every one alike,
ver. (29, 30). This were to make the church all one, as if the body were all
ear, or all eye. The Spirit distributes to every one as he will. We must be
content though we are lower and less than others. We must not despise others,
if we have greater gifts. How blessed the Christian church, if all the members
did their duty! Instead of coveting the highest stations, or the most splendid
gifts, let us leave the appointment of his instruments to God, and those in
whom he works by his providence. Remember, those will not be approved hereafter
who seek the chief places, but those who are most faithful to the trust placed
in them, and most diligent in their Master’s work.
Excerpt from:
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary on the Bible
Matthew Henry (1662 - 1714)
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