Scofield Reference Bible Notes
1 Corinthians 12

1Co 12:1 Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I would not have you ignorant.

spiritual gifts

The word pneumatika, literally "spirituals," i.e. matters of or from the Holy Spirit, gives the key to Chapters 12; 13; 14. Chapter 12 concerns the Spirit in relation to the body of Christ. This relation is twofold:

1. The baptism with the Spirit forms the body by uniting believers to Christ the risen and glorified Head, and to each other (1Co 12:12-13). The symbol of the body thus formed is the natural, human body (1Co 12:12), and all the analogies are freely used (1Co 12:14-26).
2. To each believer is given a spiritual enablement and capacity for specific service. No believer is destitute of such gift (1Co 12:7, 11, 27), but in their distribution the Spirit acts in free sovereignty (1Co 12:11). There is no room for self-choosing, and Christian service is simply the ministry of such gift as the individual may have received (cf. Rom 12:4-8).
3. The gifts are diverse (1Co 12:6, 8-10, 28-30), but all are equally honourable because bestowed by the same Spirit, administered under the same Lord, and energized by the same God.

1Co 12:2 Ye know that ye were Gentiles, carried away unto these dumb idols, even as ye were led.

ye were Gentiles

when ye were Gentiles.

1Co 12:3 Wherefore I give you to understand, that no man speaking by the Spirit of God calleth Jesus accursed: and that no man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost.

by…by

in.

1Co 12:4 Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit.

diversities of gifts

Cf. Eph 4:8, 11-12. The Spirit gives gifts for service to men, Christ gives the gifted men to the churches.

1Co 12:6 And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all.

operations

workings.

1Co 12:7 But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal.

the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal

to each the manifestation is given for profit.

1Co 12:9 To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit;

faith

Faith. 1Co 15:14, 17. (Gen 3:20; Heb 11:39.)

1Co 12:10 To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues:

prophecy

The N.T. prophet is not ordinarily a foreteller, but rather a forth-teller, one whose gift enabled him to speak "to edification, and exhortation, and comfort" (1Co 14:3).

discerning of spirits

1Jo 4:1.

tongues

Act 2:4, 7, 11.

1Co 12:13 For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.

Spirit

Holy Spirit (N.T.). 1Co 12:3-4, 7-9, 11, 13; 14:16. (Mat 1:18; Act 2:4.)

Gentiles

Greeks.

all

Assurance. 1Co 12:12-13; 2Co 1:10. (Isa 32:17; Jde 1:1.)

made to drink into

given to drink of.

1Co 12:23 And those members of the body, which we think to be less honourable, upon these we bestow more abundant honour; and our uncomely parts have more abundant comeliness.

bestow

Or, put on.

1Co 12:25 That there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another.

schism

Or, division.

1Co 12:27 Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular.

members

Eph 5:30.

1Co 12:28 And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues.

God hath set some

1Co 12:8, 11; Act 5:4.

in the church

Churches (local). 1Co 12:28-31; 14:1-5. (Act 2:41; Phl 1:1).

Church (the true). 1Co 12:12-28, 31; 2Co 11:2-3. (Mat 16:18; Heb 12:23.)

Churches (visible). 1Co 15:9. (1Co 10:32; 1Ti 3:15).

1Co 12:31 But covet earnestly the best gifts: and yet shew I unto you a more excellent way.

the best gifts

Chapter 13 continues the pneumatika begun in Chapter 12. Gifts are good, but only if ministered in love (1Co 13:1-2). Benevolence is good, but not apart from love (1Co 13:3). Love is described (1Co 13:4-7). Love is better than our present incomplete knowledge (1Co 13:8-12), and greater than even faith and hope (1Co 13:13).