CHAPTER XII. _The apostle proceeds to the question of the Corinthians_ _concerning spiritual gifts_, 1. _He calls to their remembrance their former state, and how they_ _were brought out of it_, 2, 3. _Shows that there are diversities of gifts which proceed from_ _the Spirit_, 4. _Diversities... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 1 Corinthians 12:2. _YE WERE GENTILES_] Previously to your conversion to the Christian faith; ye were _heathens, carried away_, not guided by _reason_ or _truth_, but _hurried_ by your passions into a senseless worship, the chief part of which was calculated only to excite and gratify animal p... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 1 Corinthians 12:3. _NO MAN SPEAKING BY THE SPIRIT OF GOD_] It was granted on all hands that there could be no religion without _Divine_ _inspiration_, because God alone, could make his will known to men: hence heathenism _pretended_ to this inspiration; Judaism _had_ it in the law and the pro... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 1 Corinthians 12:4. _THERE ARE DIVERSITIES OF GIFTS_] χαρισματωνυ _Gracious_ _endowments_, leading to _miraculous_ results; such as the gift of prophecy, speaking different tongues, c. And these all came by the extraordinary influences of the Holy Spirit.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 1 Corinthians 12:5. _DIFFERENCES OF ADMINISTRATIONS_] διακονιων. Various offices in the Church, such as _apostle, prophet_, and _teacher_; under which were probably included _bishop_ or _presbyter, pastor,_ _deacon_, c. the _qualifications_ for such offices, as well as the _appointments_ thems... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 1 Corinthians 12:6. _DIVERSITIES OF OPERATIONS_] ενεργηματων. Miraculous influences exerted on others; such as the expulsion of demons, inflicting extraordinary punishments, as in the case of Ananias and Sapphira, Elymas the sorcerer, c., the healing of different diseases, raising the dead, c.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 1 Corinthians 12:7. _THE MANIFESTATION OF THE SPIRIT_] φανερωσις του πνευματος. This is variably understood by the fathers; some of them rendering φανερωσις by _illumination_, others _demonstration_, and others _operation_. The apostle's meaning seems to be this: Whatever gifts God has bestowe... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 1 Corinthians 12:8. _WORD OF WISDOM_] In all these places I consider that the proper translation of λογος is _doctrine_, as in many other places of the New Testament. It is very difficult to say what is intended here by the different kinds of gifts mentioned by the apostle: they were probably... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 1 Corinthians 12:11. _BUT ALL THESE WORKETH THAT ONE AND THE SELF - SAME_ _SPIRIT_] All these gifts are miraculously bestowed; they cannot be acquitted by human art or industry, the different _languages_ excepted; but _they_ were _given_ in such a way, and in such circumstances, as sufficientl... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 1 Corinthians 12:12. _FOR AS THE BODY IS ONE_] Though the human body have many _members_, and though it be composed of a great variety of _parts_, yet it is but _one entire system_; every part and member being necessary to the integrity or completeness of the whole. _SO ALSO_ IS _CHRIST._] T... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 1 Corinthians 12:13. _FOR BY ONE SPIRIT ARE WE ALL BAPTIZED_, c.] As the body of man, though composed of many members, is informed and influenced by one soul so the Church of Christ, which is his body, though composed of many members, is informed and influenced by one Spirit, the Holy Ghost; a... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 1 Corinthians 12:14. _FOR THE BODY IS NOT ONE MEMBER_] The _mystical_ body, the Church, as well as the _natural_ body, is composed of many members.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 1 Corinthians 12:15. _IF THE FOOT SHALL SAY_, c.] As all the members of the body are necessarily dependent on each other, and minister to the general support of the system, so is it in the Church. All the private members are intimately connected among themselves, and also with their pastors wi... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 21. _AND THE EYE CANNOT SAY UNTO THE HAND, I HAVE NO NEED_ _OF THEE_] The apostle goes on, with his principal object in view, to show that the gifts and graces with which their different teachers were endowed were all necessary for their salvation, and should be _collectively_ used; for not o... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 22. _THOSE MEMBERS - WHICH SEEM TO BE MORE FEEBLE_] These, and the _less honourable_ and _uncomely_, mentioned in the next verses, seem to mean the principal _viscera_, such as the _heart,_ _lungs, stomach_, and _intestinal canal_. These, when compared with the _arms_ and _limbs_, are compara... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 24. _FOR OUR COMELY PARTS HAVE NO NEED_] It would be easy to go into great detail in giving an _anatomical_ description of the different members and parts to which the apostle refers, but it would not probably answer the end of general edification; and to explain every _allusion_ made by the a... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 25. _THAT THERE SHOULD BE NO SCHISM IN THE BODY_] That there should be no unnecessary and independent part in the whole human machine, and that every part should contribute something to the general proportion, symmetry, and beauty of the body. So completely has God tempered the whole together... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 26. _AND WHETHER ONE MEMBER SUFFER_] As there is a mutual exertion for the general defence, so there is a mutual sympathy. If the _eye_, the _hand_, the _foot_, c., be injured, the _whole man_ grieves and if by _clothing_, or _any_ thing else, any particular member or part is _adorned, strengt... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 27. _NOW YE ARE THE BODY OF CHRIST_] The apostle, having finished his apologue, comes to his application. As the members in the human body, so the different members of the mystical body of Christ. All are intended by him to have the same relation to each other; to be mutually subservient to... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 28. _GOD HATH SET SOME IN THE CHURCH_] As God has made evident distinctions among the members of the human body, so that some occupy a more eminent place than others, so has he in the Church. And to prove this, the apostle numerates the principal offices, and in the order in which they should... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 29. _ARE ALL APOSTLES_, c.] That is: All are _not_ apostles, all are not _prophets_, c. God has distributed his various gifts among various persons, each of whom is necessary for the complete edification of the body of Christ. On these subjects see the notes on 1 Corinthians 12:7.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 1 Corinthians 12:31. _BUT COVET EARNESTLY_] To _covet_ signifies to _desire_ _earnestly_. This disposition towards _heavenly_ things is _highly_ _laudable_; towards _earthly_ things, is _deeply criminal_. A man may possess the best of all these gifts, and yet be deficient in what is essentiall... [ Continue Reading ]