YE WERE LED; by Satan and those under his influence. These words seem to contain the reason why the Corinthians should receive instruction respecting spiritual gifts. They have just come out of the darkness and ignorance of idolatry.... [ Continue Reading ]
I GIVE YOU TO UNDERSTAND; he begins by stating a general rule whereby to test the genuineness of all alleged spiritual gifts. They all unite in putting supreme honor upon Christ. Compare 1 John 4:1-3. CALLETH JESUS ACCURSED; as an imposter. CAN SAY THAT JESUS IS THE LORD; that is, say it in sincer... [ Continue Reading ]
DIVERSITIES OF GIFTS, BUT THE SAME SPIRIT; throughout the whole of this chapter the apostle labors to show, first, the unity of these gifts, as all having the same Spirit for their author, and all conspiring for the same common end, the glory of God in the edification of the church; secondly, their... [ Continue Reading ]
DIFFERENCES OF ADMINISTRATIONS; or offices, which God has established, verses 1 Corinthians 12:28-30.... [ Continue Reading ]
DIVERSITIES OF OPERATIONS; such as produce in different cases different effects.... [ Continue Reading ]
THE MANIFESTATION OF THE SPIRIT; in the gifts which he bestowed. TO PROFIT WITHAL; for the benefit of men. All Christian gifts and graces come from the Holy Spirit. He bestows different measures of grace and means of influence upon different individuals, but always for the wisest reasons.... [ Continue Reading ]
Diversities of gifts and offices, spoken of in verses 1 Corinthians 12:4-5. THE WORD OF WISDOM-THE WORD OF KNOWLEDGE; the exact distinction between those two gifts has been a matter of doubt. Probably "wisdom" refers rather to the practical, and "knowledge" to the doctrinal in Christianity. Accordi... [ Continue Reading ]
DIVIDING TO EVERY MAN; bestowing different gifts and in different measures upon different persons, as the Holy Spirit sees best. In bestowing miraculous powers upon the apostles and first teachers of Christianity, in calling them to their office, assigning them their fields of labor, fitting them fo... [ Continue Reading ]
SO ALSO IS CHRIST; the head of his spiritual body the church. All its members, like the different members of the human body, are united to one head, and should be, by mutual sympathy and affection, united to one another.... [ Continue Reading ]
BY ONE SPIRIT; the Holy Ghost. TO DRINK INTO ONE SPIRIT; or, to drink of one Spirit. By his operation on our hearts, we become united in spirit to Christ the head and to one another as members of his spiritual body the church.... [ Continue Reading ]
As God assigns to Christians their talents and opportunities, their condition and measure of influence, as will best promote his glory and the good of his kingdom, there is not more reason for strife among them as to which shall be the greatest, than among the members of the human body. The perfecti... [ Continue Reading ]
ARE NECESSARY; the strongest and most prominent members of the body are not in all cases the most essential to human life, but often those which are more feeble and concealed. Those parts which need it, we cover and adorn; and we never think of neglecting, much less of despising any part because it... [ Continue Reading ]
NO SCHISM; no division or contest with one another. They have one common interest, and the welfare of each is for the good of all. So it should be with the different members of the church of Christ.... [ Continue Reading ]
YE ARE THE BODY OF CHRIST; ye, the whole body of believers, constitute the one spiritual body of Christ. MEMBERS IN PARTICULAR; each individual is a member of Christ's body, having his particular office assigned to him by the one common Head. As all have a common interest, and are parts of one grea... [ Continue Reading ]
These were different offices which God established in the churches at first; referred to in verse 1 Corinthians 12:5. APOSTLES; men who had seen Christ after his resurrection, and were commissioned by him to testify to this fact, to reveal his will, work miracles in attestation of his truth, preach... [ Continue Reading ]
COVET; earnestly desire. They had coveted what was most esteemed by men; but Paul would have them desire what was most esteemed by God, and without which, whatever else they might have, they would be destitute and wretched. What this was he proceeded to show. A MORE EXCELLENT WAY; a way preeminentl... [ Continue Reading ]