1 Corinthians 12:4-6

THREE AND ONE

‘Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. And there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord. And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God Which worketh all in all.’

1 Corinthians 12:4

The text treats of three sorts of diversities, tracing them to their respective unities. The unity finds its expression in diversity, and the diversity its life and motive in unity. Let us consider these units and triplets.

I. Three aspects of one life.

(a) In its gifts. ‘There are diversities of gifts.’ Every man, every creature, has his own gifts. ‘What hast thou that thou hast not received?’ ‘Stir up the gift that is in thee.’

(b) In its spheres of service. ‘There are differences of administrations,’ or rather ‘ministrations.’ There are many ways open to a Christian to serve God and his generation. His daily life which he lives among men, in his family, his business, at his work—all are spheres of ministration.

(c) In its powers of communication. ‘There are diversities of operations.’ The hand finds many things to do, and with God’s help can do them with its might. While seeking out and entering new fields of usefulness, a man is to be busy meanwhile in daily work.

II. Three revelations of one God.

(a) As giving inward grace. This is described as the part of the ‘Spirit.’ The Holy Spirit is at once the greatest gift to the soul and the grand Giver. He takes of the things that are Christ’s and gives them unto us.

(b) As giving motive and scope. ‘Differences of ministrations, but the same Lord.’ Whatever we do, we are to do heartily as unto the Lord. Christ’s great love to us is the motive and measure of all our activities.

(c) As giving effective co-operation. ‘Diversities of operations, but the same God worketh all in all.’ ‘Who is sufficient for these things? My strength is sufficient for thee, and My strength is perfect in weakness.’ God gives the increase, and so we may well be heartened both to devise and work.

III. Three attitudes of one soul.

(a) Prayer. Gifts imply prayer. ‘He gives the Holy Spirit to them that ask Him.’ It is true that God bestows natural gifts unasked; but the grace that is needed to enable us to employ these gifts aright is only to be had from God by prayer.

(b) Devotedness. Our ministrations are to be devoted to Him Who loved us and gave Himself for us. What an example of devotedness Jesus has given us! For our sakes ‘He sanctified Himself.’

(c) Faith. ‘The same God worketh all in all.’ We are to have faith in the power of God to work by our feeble instrumentality so as to bring about great results.