Now concerning spiritual gifts — The abundance of these in the churches of Greece strongly refuted the idle learning of the Greek philosophers. But the Corinthians did not use them wisely, which occasioned St. Paul's writing concerning them. He describes, The unity of the body, 1 Corinthians 12:1. T... [ Continue Reading ]
Ye were heathens — Therefore, whatever gifts ye have received, it is from the free grace of God. Carried away — By a blind credulity. After dumb idols — The blind to the dumb; idols of wood and stone, unable to speak themselves, and much more to open your mouths, as God has done. As ye were led — By... [ Continue Reading ]
Therefore — Since the heathen idols cannot speak themselves, much less give spiritual gifts to others, these must necessarily be among Christians only. As no one speaking by the Spirit of God calleth Jesus accursed — That is, as none who does this, (which all the Jews and heathens did,) speaketh by... [ Continue Reading ]
There are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit — Divers streams, but all from one fountain. This verse speaks of the Holy Ghost, the next of Christ, the sixth of God the Father. The apostle treats of the Spirit, 1 Corinthians 12:7, &c.; of Christ, 1 Corinthians 12:12, &c.; of God, 1 Corinthians... [ Continue Reading ]
Administrations — Offices. But the same Lord appoints them all.... [ Continue Reading ]
Operations — Effects produced. This word is of a larger extent than either of the former. But it is the same God who worketh all these effects in all the persons concerned.... [ Continue Reading ]
The manifestation — The gift whereby the Spirit manifests itself. Is given to each — For the profit of the whole body.... [ Continue Reading ]
The word of wisdom — A power of understanding and explaining the manifold wisdom of God in the grand scheme of gospel salvation. The word of knowledge — Perhaps an extraordinary ability to understand and explain the Old Testament types and prophecies.... [ Continue Reading ]
Faith may here mean an extraordinary trust in God under the most difficult or dangerous circumstances. The gift of healing need not be wholly confined to the healing diseases with a word or a touch. It may exert itself also, though in a lower degree, where natural remedies are applied; and it may of... [ Continue Reading ]
The working of other miracles. Prophecy — Foretelling things to come. The discerning — Whether men be of an upright spirit or no; whether they have natural or supernatural gifts for offices in the church; and whether they who profess to speak by inspiration speak from a divine, a natural, or a diabo... [ Continue Reading ]
As he willeth — The Greek word does not so much imply arbitrary pleasure, as a determination founded on wise counsel.... [ Continue Reading ]
So is Christ — That is, the body of Christ, the church.... [ Continue Reading ]
For by that one Spirit, which we received in baptism, we are all united in one body. Whether Jews or gentiles — Who are at the greatest distance from each other by nature. Whether slaves or freemen — Who are at the greatest distance by law and custom. We have all drank of one Spirit — In that cup, r... [ Continue Reading ]
The foot is elegantly introduced as speaking of the hand; the ear, of the eye; each, of a part that has some resemblance to it. So among men each is apt to compare himself with those whose gifts some way resemble his own, rather than with those who are at a distance, either above or beneath him. Is... [ Continue Reading ]
The ear — A less noble part. The eye — The most noble.... [ Continue Reading ]
As it hath pleased him — With the most exquisite wisdom and goodness.... [ Continue Reading ]
But one body — And it is a necessary consequence of this unity, that the several members need one another.... [ Continue Reading ]
Nor the head — The highest part of all. To the foot — The very lowest.... [ Continue Reading ]
The members which appear to be weaker — Being of a more delicate and tender structure; perhaps the brains and bowels, or the veins, arteries, and other minute channels in the body.... [ Continue Reading ]
We surround with more abundant honour — By so carefully covering them. More abundant comeliness — By the help of dress.... [ Continue Reading ]
Giving more abundant honour to that which lacked — As being cared for and served by the noblest parts.... [ Continue Reading ]
Now ye — Corinthians. Are the body and members of Christ — part of them, I mean, not the whole body.... [ Continue Reading ]
First apostles — Who plant the gospel in the heathen nations. Secondly prophets — Who either foretel things to come, or speak by extra — ordinary inspiration, for the edification of the church. Thirdly teachers — Who precede even those that work miracles. Under prophets and teachers are comprised ev... [ Continue Reading ]
Ye covet earnestly the best gifts — And they are worth your pursuit, though but few of you can attain them. But there is a far more excellent gift than all these; and one which all may, yea, must attain or perish.... [ Continue Reading ]