Evidently Paul received communication regarding spiritual gifts.  Maybe Chloe’s household had told him of all the rouble they were causing.  Paul agrees that spiritual gifts should be desired, but not at the expense of unity.  It seems that ‘speaking in tongues’ was being used as a measure for boasting by those who had the gift.  This problem is still with us today.  Paul draws the general principle that God equips his church by giving to each person a gift that fits with the needs of believers in the church at a particular time and location.

1 Corinthians 12

 ¹Now about spiritual gifts, brothers, I do not want you to be ignorant. ²You know that when you were pagans, somehow or other you were influenced and led astray to mute idols. ³Therefore I tell you that no one who is speaking by the Spirit of God says, “Jesus be cursed,” and no one can say, “Jesus is Lord,” except by the Holy Spirit.

 ⁴There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit. ⁵There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. ⁶There are different kinds of working, but the same God works all of them in all men.

 ⁷Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. ⁸To one there is given through the Spirit the message of wisdom, to another the message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit, ⁹to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, ¹⁰to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of tongues,^[a] and to still another the interpretation of tongues.^{[b] 11}All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he gives them to each one, just as he determines.

 ¹²The body is a unit, though it is made up of many parts; and though all its parts are many, they form one body. So it is with Christ. ¹³For we were all baptized by^[c] one Spirit into one body—whether Jews or Greeks, slave or free—and we were all given the one Spirit to drink.

 ¹⁴Now the body is not made up of one part but of many. ¹⁵If the foot should say, “Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body,” it would not for that reason cease to be part of the body. ¹⁶And if the ear should say, “Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body,” it would not for that reason cease to be part of the body. ¹⁷If the whole body were an eye, where would the sense of hearing be? If the whole body were an ear, where would the sense of smell be? ¹⁸But in fact God has arranged the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be. ¹⁹If they were all one part, where would the body be? ²⁰As it is, there are many parts, but one body.

 ²¹The eye cannot say to the hand, “I don’t need you!” And the head cannot say to the feet, “I don’t need you!” ²²On the contrary, those parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, ²³and the parts that we think are less honorable we treat with special honor. And the parts that are unpresentable are treated with special modesty, ²⁴while our presentable parts need no special treatment. But God has combined the members of the body and has given greater honor to the parts that lacked it, ²⁵so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other. ²⁶If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it.

 ²⁷Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it. ²⁸And in the church God has appointed first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then workers of miracles, also those having gifts of healing, those able to help others, those with gifts of administration, and those speaking in different kinds of tongues. ²⁹Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles? ³⁰Do all have gifts of healing? Do all speak in tongues^[d]? Do all interpret? ³¹But eagerly desire^[e] the greater gifts.
      And now I will show you the most excellent way.

Questions

1. What words are repeated in this passage?
2. What is the theme of this passage?
3. How are both unity and diversity emphasized?
4. Have you explored your gifting?
5. Are you part of a group where you can exercise your gift for the good of others?

Going Deeper

Observation

1. What can one in the Spirit not say?
2. Who works all the gifts in all men?
3. Why is each one given the manifestation of the Spirit?
4. There are many parts but one what?
5. If a body part is more visible how do we treat it?

Interpretation

1. How can a Corinthian distinguish a daemon from the Spirit?
2. Are gifts and talents the same thing?
3. How does the nature of God reflect the unity and diversity of reality?
4. How was the Corinthian church divided by gifts?
5. What is Paul telling to do for those who clean the church, make administrative decisions, or aid the hurting?

Application

1. Watch the trailer for Jesus Camp http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6RNfL6IVWCE  What are your impressions?
2. If your gifts and talents originate with God how can God grow you?
3. In your opinion do people who do not follow God have gifts or talents from God?  What are the implications of your answer?  Can the unsaved serve at church?
4. How is your church divided or united around spiritual gifts?
5. How can you honour those whose gifting is not as public?