1VonG4012 den geistlichenG4152 Gaben aberG1161 willG2309 ich euchG5209, liebe BrüderG80, nichtG3756 verhaltenG50. 2Ihr wissetG1492, daßG3754 ihrG2258 HeidenG1484 seidG2258 gewesen und hingegangenG520 zuG4314 den stummenG880 GötzenG1497, wie G5613 G302 ihr geführtG71 wurdet. 3DarumG1352 tueG1107 ich euchG5213 kundG1107, daßG3754 niemandG3762 JesumG2424 verfluchtG331 G3004, der durchG1722 den GeistG4151 GottesG2316 redetG2980; undG2532 niemandG3762 kannG1410 JesumG2424 einen HERRNG2962 heißenG2036 außerG1508 durchG1722 den heiligenG40 GeistG4151. 4EsG1161 sindG1526 mancherleiG1243 GabenG5486; aberG1161 es ist einG846 GeistG4151. 5UndG2532 es sindG1526 mancherleiG1243 ÄmterG1248; aberG2532 es ist einG846 HERRG2962. 6UndG2532 es sindG1526 mancherleiG1243 KräfteG1755; aberG1161 es istG2076 einG846 GottG2316, derG3588 da wirketG1754 allesG3956 inG1722 allenG3956. 7InG1161 einem jeglichenG1538 erzeigenG1325 sich die GabenG5321 des GeistesG4151 zumG4314 gemeinen NutzenG4851. 8 Einem G1063 G3739 G3303 wird gegebenG1325 durchG1223 den GeistG4151, zu redenG3056 von der WeisheitG4678;G1161 dem andernG243 wird gegeben, zu redenG3056 von der ErkenntnisG1108 nachG2596 demselbenG846 GeistG4151; 9einemG1161 andernG2087 der GlaubeG4102 inG1722 demselbenG846 GeistG4151;G1161 einem andernG243 die GabeG5486, gesund zu machenG2386 inG1722 demselbenG846 GeistG4151; 10einemG1161 andernG243, WunderG1411 zu tunG1755;G1161 einem andernG243 WeissagungG4394;G1161 einem andernG243, GeisterG4151 zu unterscheidenG1253;G1161 einem andernG2087 mancherleiG1085 SprachenG1100;G1161 einem andernG243, die SprachenG1100 auszulegenG2058. 11DiesG5023 aberG1161 allesG3956 wirktG1754 derselbeG846 eineG1520 GeistG4151 undG2532 teiltG1244 einem jeglichenG1538 seinesG2398 zuG1244, nachG2531 dem er willG1014. 12DennG1063 gleichwieG2509 einG1520 LeibG4983 istG2076, undG2532 hatG2192 doch vieleG4183 GliederG3196, alleG3956 GliederG3196 aberG1161 des LeibesG4983 G1520, wiewohlG5607 ihrer vielG4183 sindG5607, doch einG1520 LeibG4983 sindG2076: alsoG3779 auchG2532 ChristusG5547. 13 Denn G2532 G1063 wirG2249 sindG907 durchG1722 einenG1520 GeistG4151 alleG3956 zuG1519 einemG1520 LeibeG4983 getauftG907, wir seienG1535 JudenG2453 oderG1535 GriechenG1672,G1535 KnechteG1401 oderG1535 FreieG1658, undG2532 sindG4222 alleG3956 zuG1519 einemG1520 GeistG4151 getränktG4222. 14DennG1063 auchG2532 der LeibG4983 istG2076 nichtG3756 einG1520 GliedG3196, sondernG235 vieleG4183. 15SoG1437 aber der FußG4228 sprächeG2036 :G3754 Ich binG1510 keineG3756 HandG5495, darum binG1510 ich desG1537 Leibes GliedG4983 nichtG3756, sollteG2076 er um deswillen G3844 G3756 G5124 nichtG3756 desG1537 LeibesG4983 Glied seinG2076? 16UndG2532 soG1437 das OhrG3775 sprächeG2036 :G3754 Ich binG1510 keinG3756 AugeG3788, darum binG1510 ich nichtG3756 desG1537 LeibesG4983 Glied, sollteG2076 es um deswillen G3844 G3756 G5124 nichtG3756 desG1537 LeibesG4983 Glied seinG2076? 17WennG1487 der ganzeG3650 LeibG4983 AugeG3788 wäre, woG4226 bliebe das GehörG189? SoG1487 er ganzG3650 GehörG189 wäre, woG4226 bliebe der GeruchG3750? 18NunG3570 aberG1161 hatG5087 GottG2316 die GliederG3196 gesetztG5087, ein G1520 G846 jeglichesG1538 sonderlich amG1722 LeibeG4983, wieG2531 er gewolltG2309 hat. 19SoG1487 aberG1161 alleG3956 Glieder einG1520 GliedG3196 wärenG2258, woG4226 bliebe der LeibG4983? 20 Nun G3568 G3303 aberG1161 sindG4183 der GliederG3196 vieleG4183; aberG1161 der LeibG4983 ist einerG1520. 21EsG1161 kann G3756 G1410 das AugeG3788 nichtG3756 sagenG2036 zu der HandG5495: Ich bedarf G5532 G2192 deinG4675 nichtG3756; oderG2228 wiederumG3825 das HauptG2776 zu den FüßenG4228: Ich bedarf G5532 G2192 euerG5216 nichtG3756. 22SondernG235 vielmehr G4183 G3123 die GliederG3196 des LeibesG4983, dieG1380 uns dünken die schwächstenG772 zu seinG5225, sindG2076 die nötigstenG316; 23undG2532 die G3739 G4983 uns dünkenG1380 am wenigsten ehrbarG820 zu seinG1511, denenG5125 legenG4060 wir am meistenG4055 EhreG5092 an; undG2532 die unsG2257 übelG809 anstehen, die schmückt G2157 G2192 man am meistenG4055. 24DennG1161 die unsG2257 wohl anstehenG2158, die bedürfen’s G5532 G2192 nichtG3756. AberG235 GottG2316 hatG4786 den LeibG4983 also vermengtG4786 und dem dürftigenG5302 Glied am meistenG4055 EhreG5092 gegebenG1325, 25auf daß nichtG3363 eine SpaltungG4978 imG1722 LeibeG4983 seiG5600, sondernG235 die GliederG3196 füreinander G5228 G240 gleichG846 sorgenG3309. 26UndG2532 soG1535 einG1520 GliedG3196 leidetG3958, so leidenG4841 alleG3956 GliederG3196 mitG4841; undG1535 so einG1520 GliedG3196 wird herrlichG1392 gehalten, so freuenG4796 sich alleG3956 GliederG3196 mitG4796. 27IhrG5210 seidG2075 aberG1161 der LeibG4983 ChristiG5547 undG2532 GliederG3196, ein jeglicher nachG1537 seinem TeilG3313. 28 Und G2532 G3739 GottG2316 hat gesetzt G3303 G5087 inG1722 der GemeindeG1577 aufs ersteG4412 die ApostelG652, aufs andereG1208 die ProphetenG4396, aufs dritteG5154 die LehrerG1320, darnachG1899 die WundertäterG1411, darnachG1534 die GabenG5486, gesund zu machenG2386, HelferG484, RegiererG2941, mancherleiG1085 SprachenG1100. 29Sind sie alle G3361 G3956 ApostelG652? Sind sie alle G3361 G3956 ProphetenG4396? Sind sie alle G3361 G3956 LehrerG1320? Sind sie alle G3361 G3956 WundertäterG1411? 30 Haben G3361 G2192 sie alleG3956 GabenG5486, gesund zu machenG2386? Reden G3361 G2980 sie alleG3956 mit mancherlei SprachenG1100? KönnenG3361 sie alleG3956 auslegenG1329? 31StrebetG2206 aberG1161 nachG2206 den bestenG2909 GabenG5486! UndG2532 ich willG1166 euchG5213 nochG2089 einen köstlichern G2596 G5236 WegG3598 zeigenG1166.
Matthew Henry - Complete Commentary 1 The apostle comes now to treat of spiritual gifts, which abounded in the church of Corinth, but were greatly abused. What these gifts were is at large told us in the body of the chapter; namely, extraordinary offices and powers, bestowed on ministers and Christians in the first ages, for conviction of unbelievers, and propagation of the gospel. Gifts and graces,
charismata and
charis , greatly differ. Both indeed were freely given of God. But where grace is given it is for the salvation of those who have it. Gifts are bestowed for the advantage and salvation of others. And there may be great gifts where there is not a dram of grace, but persons possessed of them are utterly out of the divine favour. They are great instances of divine benignity to men, but do not by themselves prove those who have them to be the objects of divine complacency. This church was rich in gifts, but there were many things scandalously out of order in it. Now concerning these spiritual gifts, that is, the extraordinary powers they had received from the Spirit,
I. The apostle tells them he would not have them ignorant either of their original or use. They came from God, and were to be used for him. It would lead them far astray if they were ignorant of one or the other of these. Note, Right information is of great use as to all religious practice. It is wretched work which gifted men make who either do not know or do not advert to the nature and right use of the gifts with which they are endowed.
II. He puts them in the mind of the sad state out of which they had been recovered:
You were Gentiles, carried away to dumb idols, even as you were led, 1Cor 12:2. While they were so, they could have no pretensions to be spiritual men, nor to have spiritual gifts. While they were under the conduct of the spirit of Gentilism, they could not be influenced by the Spirit of Christ. If they well understood their former condition, they could not but know that all true spiritual gifts were from God. Now concerning this observe, 1. Their former character: they
were Gentiles. Not God's peculiar people, but of the nations whom he had in a manner abandoned. The Jews were, before, his chosen people, distinguished from the rest of the world by his favour. To them the knowledge and worship of the true God were in a manner confined. The rest of the world were strangers to the covenant of promise, aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and in a manner without God,
Ephes 2:12. Such Gentiles were the body of the Corinthians, before their conversion to Christianity. What a change was here! Christian Corinthians were once Gentiles. Note, It is of great use to the Christian, and a proper consideration to stir him up both to duty and thankfulness, to think what once he was:
You were Gentiles. 2. The conduct they were under:
Carried away to these dumb idols, even as you were led. They were hurried upon the grossest idolatry, the worship even of stocks and stones, through the force of a vain imagination, and the fraud of their priests practising on their ignorance, for, whatever were the sentiments of their philosophers, this was the practice of the herd. The body of the people paid their homage and worship to dumb idols,
that had ears but could not hear, and mouths but could not speak, Pss 115:5,
Pss 115:6. Miserable abjectness of mind! And those who despised these gross conceptions of the vulgar yet countenanced them by their practice. O dismal state of Gentilism! Could the Spirit of God be among such stupid idolators, or they be influenced by it? How did the prince of this world triumph in the blindness of mankind! How thick a mist had he cast over their minds!
III. He shows them how they might discern those gifts that were from the Spirit of God, true spiritual gifts:
No man, speaking by the Spirit, calls Jesus accursed. Thus did both Jews and Gentiles: they blasphemed him as an impostor, and execrated his name, and deemed it abominable. And yet many Jews, who were exorcists and magicians, went about, pretending to work wonders by the Spirit of God (vid. Lightfoot's
Horae in loc. ), and many among the Gentiles pretended to inspiration. Now the apostle tells them none could act under the influence, nor by the power, of the Spirit of God, who disowned and blasphemed Christ: for the Spirit of God bore uncontrollable witness to Christ by prophecy, miracles, his resurrection from the dead, the success of his doctrine among men, and its effect upon them; and could never so far contradict itself as to declare him accursed. And on the other hand
no man could say Jesus was the Lord (that is, live by this faith, and work miracles to prove it),
but it must be by the Holy Ghost. To own this truth before men, and maintain it to the death, and live under the influence of it, could not be done without the sanctification of the Holy Ghost. No man can call Christ
Lord, with a believing subjection to him and dependence upon him, unless that faith be wrought by the Holy Ghost. No man can confess this truth in the day of trial but by the Holy Ghost animating and encouraging him. Note, We have as necessary a dependence on the Spirit's operation and influence for our sanctification and perseverance as on the mediation of Christ for our reconciliation and acceptance with God: and no man could confirm this truth with a miracle but by the Holy Ghost. No evil spirit would lend assistance, if it were in his power, to spread a doctrine and religion so ruinous to the devil's kingdom. The substance of what the apostle asserts and argues here is that whatever pretences there were to inspiration or miracles, among those who were enemies to Christianity, they could not be from the Spirit of God; but no man could believe this with his heart, nor prove with a miracle that Jesus was Christ, but by the Holy Ghost: so that the extraordinary operations and powers among them did all proceed from the Spirit of God. He adds,
IV. These spiritual gifts, though proceeding from the same Spirit, are yet various. They have one author and original, but are themselves of various kinds. A free cause may produce variety of effects; and the same giver may bestow various gifts,
1Cor 12:4.
There are diversities of gifts, such as revelations, tongues, prophecy, interpretations of tongues;
but the same Spirit. There are differences of administrations, or different offices, and officers to discharge them, different ordinances and institutions (see (1Cor:12:28-30)), but the same Lord, who appointed all,
1Cor 12:6.
There are diversities of operations, or miraculous powers, called
energemata dunameon (
1Cor 12:10), as here
energemata ,
but it is the same God that worketh all in all. There are various gifts, administrations, and operations, but all proceed from one God, one Lord, one Spirit; that is, from Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, the spring and origin of all spiritual blessings and bequests: all issue from the same fountain; all have the same author. However different they may be in themselves, in this they agree; all are from God. And several of the kinds are here specified, (1Cor:12:8-10). Several persons had their several gifts, some one, some another, all from and by the same Spirit. To one was given the
word of wisdom; that is, say some, a knowledge of the mysteries of the gospel, and ability to explain them, an exact understanding of the design, nature, and doctrines, of the Christian religion. Others say an uttering of grave sentences, like Solomon's proverbs. Some confine this word of wisdom to the revelations made to and by the apostles. -
To another the word of knowledge, by the same Spirit; that is, say some, the knowledge of mysteries (
1Cor 2:13): wrapped up in the prophecies, types, and histories of the Old Testament: say others, a skill and readiness to give advice and counsel in perplexed cases. -
To another faith, by the same Spirit; that is, the faith of miracles, or a faith in the divine power and promise, whereby they were enabled to trust God in any emergency, and go on in the way of their duty, and own and profess the truths of Christ, whatever was the difficulty or danger. -
To another the gift of healing, by the same Spirit; that is, healing the sick, either by laying on of hands, or anointing with oil, or with a bare word. -
To another the working of miracles; the efficacies of powers,
energemata dunameon , such as raising the dead, restoring the blind to sight, giving speech to the dumb, hearing to the deaf, and the use of limbs to the lame. -
To another prophecy, that is, ability to foretel future events, which is the more usual sense of prophecy; or to explain scripture by a peculiar gift of the Spirit. See
1Cor 14:24. -
To another the discerning of Spirits, power to distinguish between true and false prophets, or to discern the real and internal qualifications of any person for an office, or to discover the inward workings of the mind by the Holy Ghost, as Peter did those of Ananias,
Acts 5:3. -
To another divers kinds of tongues, or ability to speak languages by inspiration. -
To another the interpretation of tongues, or ability to render foreign languages readily and properly into their own. With such variety of spiritual gifts were the first ministers and churches blessed.
V. The end for which these gifts were bestowed:
The manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal, 1Cor 12:7. The Spirit was manifested by the exercise of these gifts; his influence and interest appeared in them. But they were not distributed for the mere honour and advantage of those who had them, but for the benefit of the church, to edify the body, and spread and advance the gospel. Note, Whatever gifts God confers on any man, he confers them that he may do good with them, whether they be common or spiritual. The outward gifts of his bounty are to be improved for his glory, and employed in doing good to others. No man has them merely for himself. They are a trust put into his hands, to profit withal; and the more he profits others with them, the more abundantly will they turn to his account in the end,
Phili 4:17. Spiritual gifts are bestowed, that men may with them profit the church and promote Christianity. They are not given for show, but for service; not for pomp and ostentation, but for edification; not to magnify those that have them, but to edify others.
VI. The measure and proportion in which they are given:
All these worketh one and the same Spirit, dividing to every man as he will. It is according to the sovereign pleasure of the donor. What more free than a gift? And shall not the Spirit of God do what he will with his own? May he not give to what persons he pleases, and in what proportion he pleases; one gift to one man, and another to another; to one more, and another fewer, as he thinks fit? Is he not the best judge how his own purpose shall be served, and his own donatives bestowed? It is not as men will, nor as they may think fit, but as the Spirit pleases. Note, The Holy Ghost is a divine person. He works divine effects and divides divine gifts a he will, by his own power, and according to his own pleasure, without dependence or control. But though he distributes these gifts freely and uncontrollably, they are intended by him, not for private honour and advantage, but for public benefit, for the edification of the body, the church.
12 The apostle here makes out the truth of what was above asserted, and puts the gifted men among the Corinthians in mind of their duty, by comparing the church of Christ to a human body.
I. By telling us that one body may have many members, and that the many members of the same body make but one body (
1Cor 12:12):
As the body is one, and hath many members, and all members of that one body, being many, are one body, so also is Christ; that is, Christ mystical, as divines commonly speak. Christ and his church making one body, as head and members, this body is made up of many parts or members, yet but one body; for all the members are
baptized into the same body, and made to drink of the same Spirit, 1Cor 12:13. Jews and Gentiles, bond and free, are upon a level in this: all are baptized into the same body, and made partakers of the same Spirit. Christians become members of this body by baptism: they are baptized into one body. The outward rite is of divine institution, significant of the new birth, called therefore
the washing of regeneration, Titus 3:5. But it is by the Spirit, by the renewing of the Holy Ghost, that we are made members of Christ's body. It is the Spirit's operation, signified by the outward administration, that makes us members. And by communion at the other ordinance we are sustained; but then it is not merely by drinking the wine, but by drinking into one Spirit. The outward administration is a means appointed of God for our participation in this great benefit; but it is baptism by the Spirit, it is internal renovation and drinking into one Spirit, partaking of his sanctifying influence from time to time, that makes us true members of Christ's body, and maintains our union with him. Being animated by one Spirit makes Christians one body. Note, All who have the spirit of Christ, without difference, are the members of Christ, whether Jew or Gentile, bond or free; and none but such. And all the members of Christ make up one body; the members many, but the body one. They are one body, because they have one principle of life; all are quickened and animated by the same Spirit.
II. Each member has its particular form, place, and use. 1. The meanest member makes a part of the body. The foot and ear are less useful, perhaps, than the hand and eye; but because one is not a hand, and the other an eye, shall they say, therefore, that they do not belong to the body?
1Cor 12:15,
1Cor 12:16. So every member of the body mystical cannot have the same place and office; but what then? Shall it hereupon disown relation to the body? Because it is not fixed in the same station, or favoured with the same gifts as others, shall it say, I do not belong to Christ? No, the meanest member of his body is as much a member as the noblest, and as truly regarded by him. All his members are dear to him. 2. There must be a distinction of members in the body:
Were the whole body eye, where were the hearing? Were the whole ear, where were the smelling? 1Cor 12:17.
If all were one member, where were the body? 1Cor 12:19.
They are many members, and for that reason must have distinction among them,
and yet are but one body, 1Cor 12:20. One member of a body is not a body; this is made up of many; and among these many there must be a distinction, difference of situation, shape, use, etc. So it is in the body of Christ; its members must have different uses, and therefore have different powers, and be in different places, some having one gift, and others a different one. Variety in the members of the body contributes to the beauty of it. What a monster would a body be if it were all ear, or eye, or arm! So it is for the beauty and good appearance of the church that there should be diversity of gifts and offices in it. 3. The disposal of members in a natural body, and their situation, are as God pleases:
But now hath God set the members, every one of them, in the body, as it hath pleased him, 1Cor 12:18. We may plainly perceive the divine wisdom in the distribution of the members; but it was made according to the counsel of his will; he distinguished and distributed them as he pleased. So is it also in the members of Christ's body: they are chosen out to such stations, and endued with such gifts, as God pleases. He who is sovereign Lord of all disposes his favours and gifts as he will. And who should gainsay his pleasure? What foundation is here for repining in ourselves, or envying others? We should be doing the duties of our own place, and not murmuring in ourselves, nor quarrelling with others, that we are not in theirs. 4. All the members of the body are, in some respect, useful and necessary to each other:
The eye cannot say to the hand, I have no need of thee; nor the head to the feet, I have no need of your: nay, those members of the body
which seem to be more feeble (the bowels, etc.)
are necessary (
1Cor 12:21,
1Cor 12:22); God has so fitted and tempered them together that they are all necessary to one another, and to the whole body; there is no part redundant and unnecessary. Every member serves some good purpose or other: it is useful to its fellow-members, and necessary to the good state of the whole body. Nor is there a member of the body of Christ but may and ought to be useful to his fellow-members, and at some times, and in some cases, is needful to them. None should despise and envy another, seeing God has made the distinction between them as he pleased, yet so as to keep them all in some degree of mutual dependence, and make them valuable to each other, and concerned for each other, because of their mutual usefulness. Those who excel in any gift cannot say that they have no need of those who in that gift are their inferiors, while perhaps, in other gifts, they exceed them. Nay, the lowest members of all have their use, and the highest cannot do well without them. The eye has need of the hand, and the head of the feet. 5. Such is the man's concern for his whole body that
on the less honourable members more abundant honour is bestowed, and our uncomely parts have more abundant comeliness. Those parts which are not fit, like the rest, to be exposed to view, which are either deformed or shameful, we most carefully clothe and cover; whereas the comely parts have no such need. The wisdom of Providence has so contrived and tempered things that the most abundant regard and honour should be paid to that which most wanted it,
1Cor 12:24. So should the members of Christ's body behave towards their fellow-members: instead of despising them, or reproaching them, for their infirmities, they should endeavour to cover and conceal them, and put the best face upon them that they can. 6. Divine wisdom has contrived and ordered things in this manner that the members of the body should not be schismatics, divided from each other and acting upon separate interests, but well affected to each other, tenderly concerned for each other, having a fellow-feeling of each other's griefs and a communion in each other's pleasures and joys,
1Cor 12:25,
1Cor 12:26. God has tempered the members of the body natural in the manner mentioned, that
there might be no schism in the body (
1Cor 12:25), no rupture nor disunion among the members, nor so much as the least mutual disregard. This should be avoided also in the spiritual body of Christ. There should be no schism in this body, but the members should be closely united by the strongest bonds of love. All decays of this affection are the seeds of schism. Where Christians grow cold towards each other, they will be careless and unconcerned for each other. And this mutual disregard is a schism begun. The members of the natural body are made to have a care and concern for each other, to prevent a schism in it. So should it be in Christ's body; the members should sympathize with each other. As in the natural body the pain of the one part afflicts the whole, the ease and pleasure of one part affects the whole, so should Christians reckon themselves honoured in the honours of their fellow-christians, and should suffer in their sufferings. Note, Christian sympathy is a great branch of Christian duty. We should be so far from slighting our brethren's sufferings that we should suffer with them, so far from envying their honours that we should rejoice with them and reckon ourselves honoured in them.
27 I. Here the apostle sums up the argument, and applies this similitude to the church of Christ, concerning which observe,
1. The relation wherein Christians stand to Christ and one another. The church, or whole collective body of Christians, in all ages, is his body. Every Christian is a member of his body, and every other Christian stands related to him as a fellow-member (
1Cor 12:27):
Now you are the body of Christ, and members in particular, or particular members. Each is a member of the body, not the whole body; each stands related to the body as a part of it, and all have a common relation to one another, dependence upon one another, and should have a mutual care and concern. Thus are the members of the natural body, thus should the members of the mystical body be, disposed. Note, Mutual indifference, and much more contempt, and hatred, and envy, and strife, are very unnatural in Christians. It is like the members of the same body being destitute of all concern for one another, or quarrelling with each other. This is the apostle's scope in this argument. He endeavours in it to suppress the proud, vaunting, and contentious spirit, that had prevailed among the Corinthians, by reason of their spiritual gifts.
2. The variety of offices instituted by Christ, and gifts or favours dispensed by him (
1Cor 12:28):
God hath set some in the church; first, apostles, the chief ministers entrusted with all the powers necessary to found a church, and make an entire revelation of God's will.
Secondarily, prophets, or persons enabled by inspiration, as the evangelists did.
Thirdly, teachers, those who labour in word and doctrine, whether with pastoral charge or without it. After that,
miracles, or miracle-workers.
The gifts of healing, or those who had power to heal diseases;
helps, or such as had compassion on the sick and weak, and ministered to them;
governments, or such as had the disposal of the charitable contributions of the church, and dealt them out to the poor;
diversities of tongues, or such as could speak divers languages. Concerning all these observe, (1.) The plenteous variety of these gifts and offices. What a multitude are they! A good God was free in his communications to the primitive church; he was no niggard of his benefits and favours. No, he provided richly for them. They had no want, but a store - all that was necessary, and even more; what was convenient for them too. (2.) Observe the order of these offices and gifts. They are here placed in their proper ranks. Those of most value have the first place. Apostles, prophets, and teachers, were all intended to instruct the people, to inform them well in the things of God, and promote their spiritual edification: without them, neither evangelical knowledge nor holiness could have been promoted. But the rest, however fitted to answer the great intentions of Christianity, had no such immediate regard to religion, strictly so called. Note, God does, and we should, value things according to their real worth: and the use of things is the best criterion of their real worth. Those are most valuable that best answer the highest purposes. Such were apostolical powers, compared with theirs who had only the gift of healing and miracles. What holds the last and lowest rank in this enumeration is diversity of tongues. It is by itself the most useless and insignificant of all these gifts. Healing diseases, relieving the poor, helping the sick, have their use: but how vain a thing is it to speak languages, if a man does it merely to amuse or boast himself! This may indeed raise the admiration, but cannot promote the edification, of the hearers, nor do them any good. And yet it is manifest from ch. 14 that the Corinthians valued themselves exceedingly on this gift. Note, How proper a method it is to beat down pride to let persons know the true value of what they pride themselves in! It is but too common a thing for men to value themselves most on what is least worth: and it is of great use to bring them to a sober mind by letting them know how much they are mistaken. (3.) The various distribution of these gifts, not all to one, nor to every one alike. All members and officers had not the same rank in the church, nor the same endowments (
1Cor 12:29,
1Cor 12:30):
Are all apostles? Are all prophets? This were to make the church a monster: all one as if the body were all ear or all eye. Some are fit for one office and employment, and some for another; and the Spirit distributes to every one as he will. We must be content with our own rank and share, if they be lower and less than those of others. We must not be conceited of ourselves, and despise others, if we are in the higher rank and have greater gifts. Every member of the body is to preserve its own rank, and do its own office; and all are to minister to one another, and promote the good of the body in general, without envying, or despising, or neglecting, or ill-using, any one particular member. How blessed a constitution were the Christian church, if all the members did their duty!
II. He closes this chapter with an advice (as the generality read it) and a hint. 1. An advice to covet the best gifts,
charismata ta kreittona -
dona potiora, praestantiora, either the most valuable in themselves or the most serviceable to others; and these are, in truth, most valuable in themselves, though men may be apt to esteem those most that will raise their fame and esteem highest. Those are truly best by which God will be most honoured and his church edified. Such gifts should be most earnestly coveted. Note, We should desire that most which is best, and most worth. Grace is therefore to be preferred before gifts; and, of gifts, those are to be preferred which are of greatest use. But some read this passage, not as an advice, but a charge:
zeloute ,
You are envious at each other's gifts. In
1Cor 13:4, the same word is thus translated. You quarrel and contend about them. This they certainly did. And this behaviour the apostle here reprehends, and labours to rectify.
Only of pride cometh contention. These contests in the church of Corinth sprang from this original. It was a quarrel about precedency (as most quarrels among Christians are, with whatever pretences they are gilded over); and it is no wonder that a quarrel about precedence should extinguish charity. When all would stand in the first rank, no wonder if they jostle, or throw down, or thrust back, their brethren. Gifts may be valued for their use, but they are mischievous when made the fuel of pride and contention. This therefore the apostle endeavours to prevent. 2. By giving them the hint of a more excellent way, namely, of charity, of mutual love and good-will. This was the only right way to quiet and cement them, and make their gifts turn to the advantage and edification of the church. This would render them kind to each other, and concerned for each other, and therefore calm their spirits, and put an end to their little piques and contests, their disputes about precedency. Those would appear to be in the foremost rank, according to the apostle, who had most of true Christian love. Note, True charity is greatly to be preferred to the most glorious gifts. To have the heart glow with mutual love is vastly better than to glare with the most pompous titles, offices, or powers.
