1 Corinthians 12:8-11

1 Corinthians 12:8-11

For to whom in one case a word of wisdom is being given through the Spirit.  In another case a word of knowledge is being given to another according to the same Spirit.  To another faith is being given in the same Spirit.  In a different case gifts of healing are being given in the one Spirit.  In another case acts of power are being given, to another prophecies, to another the ability to make judgments of the spirits, to another various kinds of tongues, and to another interpretation of tongues.  But the one and same Spirit is at work in all these things while distributing individually to each one just as He intends.

Thoughts for Today

First Thought

The first three manifestations of the Spirit that Paul gives in these verses are wisdom, knowledge, and faith.  Wisdom is usually defined as knowing a situation deeply enough to be able to perceive a good and fruitful course.  Knowledge is usually defined as having enough information to actually accomplish the task at hand.  Faith is defined as believing in that which is not guaranteed, not able to be assured, or not able to be perceived.  If we put these three together we get a really neat snapshot of gifts working together.  Throughout all of life, we all face problems and decisions. In order to overcome those points in life we will need to have three things.  We will need to believe that the situation can be overcome in God’s will.  That’s faith.  We will also need the ability to discern a good course of action through the situation.  That’s wisdom.  We will also need to know how to do what needs to be done in order to actually put the faith and wisdom into action.  That’s knowledge.  None of these are higher than the other.  But each of them has a necessary role in the life of the believer.

Do you have faith: when faced with struggles how quick are you to believe with confidence that they will be overcome?  Do you have wisdom: when you face struggles how quick are you to know a good and fruitful path?  Do you have knowledge: when a course through a situation is planned, how quick are you to know how to do what needs to be done?

Second Thought:

 The rest of the gifts are also important to look at.  Some are given the ability to heal.  This can be through prayer, laying on of hands, or other spiritual means.  Other people are given the ability to manifest God’s power in miraculous ways.  Other people are able to speak prophetic words of wisdom into the lives of other people.  Still others are gifted at making good judgments between two or more viable choices.  Still others are able to speak all kinds of tongues while others are gifted at interpreting those tongues.  In the case of the latter, because Paul is speaking about tongues in the plural, I do not believe Paul is speaking about a single divine tongue in this case.  Rather, I think Paul is telling us that there are people who are skilled at picking up, mastering, and using the various tongues (languages) of all the people in the world.  What an incredibly diverse group of gifts!

Do you fit in at all within this list?  Do you have any skill with prayer, healing, working miracles, speaking wisdom into people’s lives, making good judgments, or speaking foreign languages?  Based on how Paul talks about this list, do you think that all people will be gifted in each one of these?  Do you think people will be gifted to the same level?  Do you think people can increase in their ability with a particular gift?  If so, how?

Third Thought:

With respect to importance, there is one thing to remember that is more important than the various gifts.  What is fundamentally important in this passage is that the gifts are given by the same Spirit.  The gifts are given so that we can each play a unique role in the one church underneath Christ.  The emphasis of that last sentence is not upon our unique role but on the one church.  Our uniqueness should not divide us, because all of our gifts come from the Holy Spirit!  Why should something coming from the same source be a reason for our division?  Do you think God would use His power to divide us?  No, we should always focus on the unity of God over our individuality.  All good things come from God; thus all good things should be able to work together for His glory.

Is unity in God easier to talk about than it is to live out?  Why do you answer as you do?

Passage for Tomorrow: 1 Corinthians 12:12-20