ESV Global Study Bible :: Footnotes for 1 Corinthians 12

1 Cor. 12:1–14:40 Some Corinthian Christians seem to have been creating divisions over spiritual gifts. Paul’s use of the body analogy in 12:12–27 implies that they have placed so much emphasis on one gift that those without that gift feel that they are not part of the body (12:16–17). Considering its prominence in the discussion, that one gift is probably speaking in tongues.

1 Cor. 12:1 Now concerning. See note on 7:1.

1 Cor. 12:2 pagans. Literally, “Gentiles” or non-Jews. The Corinthians, although not ethnic Jews, are now part of God’s people. They are connected to OT Israel. See v. 13; 10:1; 32.

1 Cor. 12:3 Because of their pre-Christian experience of pagan worship services (v. 2), some Corinthians may have had concerns about speaking in tongues (see discussion of tongues in note on v. 10). Paul first assures them that they should not worry that Christians who speak in tongues might be saying things against God. He also states that all who genuinely profess faith in Christ have the Holy Spirit within them. All have valuable gifts for the benefit of the church.

1 Cor. 12:4–6 Spirit . . . Lord . . . God. A Trinitarian reference to the Holy Spirit, the Lord Jesus, and God the Father (compare 2 Cor. 13:14).

1 Cor. 12:8 utterance of wisdom . . . utterance of knowledge. Some understand these to be miraculous gifts; God gives a person supernatural “wisdom” or “knowledge” to share in a particular situation. Others take these to be more “natural” gifts—the ability to speak wisely or intelligently in a particular situation. Since Paul already has a different, broader term for speech based on something God suddenly brings to mind (“prophecy”; see note on v. 10), the second view seems preferable.

1 Cor. 12:9 faith. Probably a special gift of faith for accomplishing a particular task (see 13:2; Acts 14:9; James 5:15). gifts of healing. Both terms are plural (“gifts of healings”), suggesting that different people may be gifted regarding different kinds of healing.

1 Cor. 12:10 miracles. Probably including but not limited to healing (see Acts 8:13; 14:8–10; 19:11–12; Rom. 15:19; Gal. 3:5; Heb. 2:4). Prophecy, as used by Paul in 1 Corinthians, generally refers to something God reveals to an individual in a particular situation, which must be evaluated by other believers (see 14:29; 1 Thess. 5:19–21). An alternative view is that this gift involves speaking the very words of God, with authority equal to Scripture. A third view is that it is similar to the gifts of preaching or teaching. The gift of prophecy occurred widely in NT churches (see Acts 2:17–18; 11:27–28; 19:6; 21:9–11; Rom. 12:6; 1 Cor. 11:2–5; 12:28–29; 13:2; 8–9; 14:1–40; 1 Thess. 5:19–21; 1 Tim. 1:18; 4:14; 1 John 4:1). distinguish between spirits. A special ability to distinguish between the influence of the Holy Spirit and the influence of demonic spirits (1 Cor. 14:29; 1 Thess. 5:20–21; 1 John 4:1–3). tongues. Speech in a language the speaker does not know, and that sometimes does not follow the patterns of any known human language (1 Cor. 13:1). Paul sees this gift as a way of expressing prayer or praise to God (14:2, 14–17, 28; see Acts 10:46). The speaker’s human spirit prays even though the speaker does not understand the meaning (see 1 Cor. 14:2, 11, 13–19, 23). The nature of tongues makes their interpretation necessary if the church is to be strengthened by them (14:1–25). Paul probably listed these two gifts last because an overemphasis on tongues had led the Corinthians to neglect those with other gifts (12:14–26). See also vv. 28 and 30 and the note on 13:8.

1 Cor. 12:13 in one Spirit we were all baptized. Like the other “baptism in the Holy Spirit” passages in the NT (Matt. 3:11; Mark 1:8; Luke 3:16; John 1:33; Acts 1:5; 11:16), this one seems to refer to the cleansing and empowering work the Holy Spirit does at conversion. Baptism is used metaphorically here. It refers to the Spirit’s work within believers to unite them to the larger body of believers. Water baptism is an outward symbol of this reality (see Rom. 6:4). made to drink. Probably a reference to the outpouring of God’s Spirit on his people (see John 7:37–39; Rom. 5:5).

1 Cor. 12:14 body . . . member. See Rom. 12:4–5; Eph. 1:22–23; 4:11–16.

1 Cor. 12:28 On apostles, see notes on Matt. 10:2; Rom. 1:1. prophets. See note on 1 Cor. 12:10. First . . . second . . . third . . . then seems to be a ranking of importance or benefit to the church. Teachers, helping, and administrating do not appear in the list in vv. 8–10. Helping and administrating are not in the rhetorical questions in vv. 29–30. Thus, the lists do not include all possible gifts.

1 Cor. 12:29–30 Are all apostles? The answer is obviously no. Paul also expects the reader to answer no to all of the following questions.

1 Cor. 12:31 Earnestly desire implies that Christians can and should want additional spiritual gifts (see 14:1, 13; James 1:5). The higher gifts means those that do more to build up the church (see 1 Cor. 14:5, 12, 17, 26). A still more excellent way than merely seeking the higher gifts is to use the gifts in love (ch. 13) so that others are built up (ch. 14).