1 Corinthians 12

1 The Apostle further reproves the division risen amongst the Corinthians from the diversity of spiritual gifts, and Ecclesiastical administrations, and teacheth that they must not pride themselves, or despise others because of the same, forasmuch as they were all Gentiles before, and the holy Ghost bestowed the same upon them. 4 That the same Spirit worketh these gifts diversely , in one less, in another more, according to his pleasure, to the end that they should be bestowed for the common use and of the whole church: which he rehearseth to the number of nine. 12 this he explains by a similitude of the divers members of one body, whereby he teacheth that even the meanest gifts have their profit and necessity, and that therefore they that have received the most excellent gifts must not despise them that have less. 25 but that every must bestow his gifts for the service of others, and of the whole body of the church. 28 That God hath appointed as the gift, so also the ministries in the Church, not of one sort, nor of equal dignity. 31 But that nevertheless every one must seek after the best gifts.

1. AND of spiritual (gifts) [Thereby he understands not so much the inward spiritual gifts of faith and regeneration, as the outward and miraculous gifts which at that time were given to some of the Holy Ghost by laying on of hands, and are here called gifts, v.4. administration, v.5. and operations, v.6. and are rehearsed, v.8,9,10.] brethren, I will not that ye might be ignorant. [namely, from whence they come, to what end they are given, and how they must be used.]

2. Ye that ye were Gentiles, drawn away [Namely, as brute beasts suffering your selves to led away by all manner of lies and deceits. See 2 Tim. 2.26.] unto dumb Idols, [namely, to serve them, and to enquire of them concerning things to come, which have neither life, nor understanding, nor speech. See Psa. 115. v. 4,5,6,7. Habakkuk 2:18.] according as ye were led. [namely, by the Idolatrous Priests, Sooth-sayers, and other instruments of the devil, the one to one Idol, the other to other.]

3. Therefore I make known unto you that no man that speaketh by [Gr. in] the spirit of God, nameth Jesus a curse: [Gr. Anathema, of which word see Acts 32.12. Romans 9:3. Galatians 1:8,9. This did the Heathen and Enemies of the Christian Religion. See Plin, ad Trajan. Lib. 10. Epist. 97.] and no man can say Jesus (to be) the Lord, [that is, acknowledge and confess that he is the true son of God, the promised Messiah, and Saviour of the world] but by [Gr. in] the Holy Ghost.

4. And there is diversity [Gr. there are diversities, That is, the gifts are of many sorts, one more excellent then the other; and is also diversely imparted to this man and not that, and that in divers measure. See v.8. &c.] of gifts,

5. And there is diversity of administration , [That is, Ecclesiastical ministries which are rehearsed. v.28.] and is the same Lord: [namely, Jesus Christ, who instituted them, and who calleth one to this ministry, and another to another, even as it pleaseth him. See Ephes. 4.11.]

6. And there is diversity of operations, [That is, of the miraculous gifts of healing and other miracles. See v. 9.10.] but it is the same God [namely, the Father, by his Son and the Holy Spirit, to whom the workings of these gifts are ascribed also, John 5:19,21. and here v.11.] who worketh all in all.

7. But every one is the revelation of the Spirit [Or, showing forth, i.e. the gift whereby is showed and made known that the Spirit hath wrought this in him] given, for that which is profitable. [namely, for edifying of the church, and for the common service of all. And therefore also they must not be used for any other end, and not for the pride and for despising of others.]

8. For to this (man) is given by the spirit the word of wisdom, [That is, the gift of understanding excellently well divine things, and to be able prudently to apply and make use of the same for the salvation and service of men] and to another the word of knowledge, [that is, the gift of being very expert in the holy scripture, and of thoroughly understanding the right sense of the same: which gift some have indeed, albeit that they not fitness withal, either to import this knowledge to others, or well apply it to use] by the same Spirit. [or according to the same Spirit.]

9. And to another Faith [Namely, of working miracles, which is a special confidence that God will herein give us that which we shall ask of him in the name of Christ, beyond the course of nature. See Matthew 17:20. Acts 14:8. 1 Cor. 13.2.] by the same Spirit: [Gr. in the same Spirit] and to another the gift of healings [namely, not by ordinary means of medicines, but with a word, by touching, or otherwise by miracle, as Peter, Acts 3:6. and Paul, Acts 28:8. See also Acts 14:3. and chapter 19.v11,12. James 5:14,15.] by [Gr. in] the same Spirit.

10. And to another the workings of mighty (works) [Hereby is understood the gift to work miracles, not only for the help and service of men, but also for the punishment of hypocrites or enemies of Christ and his doctrine. See Acts 5:5. in Peter, and Acts 23:11. in Paul] and to another Prophecy [that is, certainly to foretell things to come, which gift had Agabus, Acts 11:27,28. and 21.10. the four daughters of Philip, Acts 21:9. or else to expound the writings of the Prophets for edification, exhortation and consolation, 1 Cor. 14.3. See Romans 12:7. But here it seems to be taken for the first sort of prophesying] and to another discerning of the Spirits, [that is, the gift to discern true and false teachers, and to give the church warning of the false ones. See 1 John 4:1.] and to another many kinds of tongues, namely, which have not learned, but with they arte able to speak by a special miracle, and divine instruction and inspiration. See Mark 16:17. & Acts 2:4.] and to another interpretation of languages. [Gr. of tongues, i.e. who were able plainly to interpret in a known tongue that which was spoken or written in an unknown tongue, and declare it to other who do not understand it.]

11. But all these things worketh one and the same spirit [See v.4,] imparting to every one in particular, even as he will. [namely, the Holy Ghost, who being bound to no man, nor moved by any mans fitness, gives these according to his own free will and good pleasure.]

12. For as the body [This similitude the Apostle useth also, Rom. 12.v.4,5. Ephesians 4:4,12,16. and is very fit to persuade the members of one spiritual body unto peace and unity] is one, [that is, not divided into many bodies, so is also the universal Christian church but one Spiritual body, Can. 6. 9. Romans 12:5. Ephesians 2:14. and 4. 4, 5. which unity none must break by strife or schism] and hath many members, [namely, having diver’s gifts, dignity and administration] and all the members of this one body, being many, are (but) one body: even so also Christ. [namely, hath but one body, whereof he is the head, and that hath many and divers members. Or even so also Christ : i.e. the body of Christ, namely the church, which is so called from its head.]

13. For we all [Namely, believers, who belong to this body of Christ as members] are also by one Spirit [Gr. in one Spirit, i.e. by the Spirit of regeneration, which is but one and consequently also admonisheth and obligeth us unto unity] baptized unto one body, [namely the church of Christ, into which we are ingraffed by baptism, which is the laver of regeneration, Ephesians 5:26. Titus 3:5. and obligeth us to unity also] whether it be Jews or Greeks, or servants, or free (men) [that is, of what decent, state or condition soever we be] and we are all made to drink [that is, the Lord’s supper also in which we all drink one drink out of one cup, admonisheth and obligeth us, that avoiding all divisions we seek after unity, to be one spiritual body and of one mind. The like reason the Apostle useth, 1 Cor. 10. 17. that as in the Lords supper we are all partakers of one bread; so we are also admonished thereby that we many are one body] unto one spirit. [or by one Spirit.]

14. For the body also is not one member, [Namely, only, or consists not of one member only, but of many and divers, so also the body of the church consisteth of many members, which have divers gifts and administrations, of which some govern, others are governed, some teach, others are taught, some speak in the church and others hearken] but many (members).

15. If the foot should say, seeing I am not the hand, I am not body: [Gr. not out of the body. To the foot and the ear the Apostle here compares those who have lesser gifts or administrations in the church, and to the hand and eye those that have greater and more excellent: and thereby admonished the first that they must not grudge the others their great gifts and administrations, but the content with their state and condition, Deuteronomy 28:13] is it therefore not of the body?

16. And if the ear should say, seeing I am not the eye, I am not of the body: is it therefore not of the body?

17. Were the whole body the eye, where (should) the bearing (be)? [The Apostle hereby showeth how needful it is, that this diversity of gifts and administrations should be in the church, for the welfare of the same] Were the whole (body) hearing, where (should) the smelling (be).

18. But now hath God set the members, every one of them in the body, [Each namely in its place, and each for its special use and service for the whole body: so doth he also concerning the members of the church, which he sits each for his particular service, and imparts to every one his gifts for this purpose] even as he should. [See before v. 11.]

19. Were they all (but) one member, [That is, had the members of the church all one kind of administration and gifts] where (should) the body (be?) [that is, how could the church stand and be edified, for one member alone cannot do it.]

20. But now indeed there are many members, [Namely, having divers callings, administrations, gifts, and operations] yet (but) one body. [namely, to whose profit and edification, each must bestow and contribute what he hath.]

21. And the eye [That is; they that have the most excellent callings, gifts, or administrations: as also by the head are understood the principal men and governors of the church] cannot say to the hand, [that is, to those who indeed have also excellent gifts or administrations, but not so excellent as the eye. See Deuteronomy 28:13.] I have no need of thee: or again the head to the feet, I have no need of you.

22. Yea much rather, the members which seem (to us) to be the weakest of the body, they are needful. [Namely, for the sustentation and service of the whole body, for the eye can get or lay hold on nothing without the hand, and the head cannot walk without the feet.]

23. And they that seem to us to be the least honourable (members) of the body; [No members by God created in the body, are dishonourable in themselves : but that some are so accounted, that happens according to the use they have in the body] on them we put more abundant honour: [Gr. we put about the same more abundant honour. Namely, by covering them, and naming them in terms] and our uncomely (members) [namely, which are misshapen, crooked, or too short, or have any other defect, or which for honours sake must be covered] have more abundant adorning. [seeing men seek to cover these defects, or to beautify them with some ornament of apparel. So ought men also to do the mean members of the Church, which men must not therefore despise, but much rather honour them, and cover their defects.]

24. But our comely have no need of it: [Namely, to be adorned, being comely enough of themselves] but God hath (so) joined the body together, [Gr. mingled or te percd together] giving more abundant honour [that is teaching and commending us by natural modesty, to honour such members] to that which hath want (of it) [that is, to such a member as hath need of this honour. Which therefore must admonish us, that we also ought to do the same to the meaner members of the church.]

25. That there be no discord [Gr. schism, namely which would necessarily arise, if one member would not serve another as it ought: and the same would necessarily tend to the destruction of the whole body. So also in the Church] in the body, by the members should take the like [Gr. the same] care for one another.

26. And whether it be that one member suffereth, all the members suffer with it: [That is, really show that the same concerns them also, and contribute all to free the suffering member from its suffering. So must the members of the Church do also, Hebrews 13:3.] or that one member is glorified, all the members rejoice with it.

27. And ye are the body of Christ, [The Apostle now applies the foregoing similitude to the Church which is the spiritual body of Christ, whereof each believer in particular is a member, who for this cause ought so carry himself towards his fellow-members, as is showed in the comparison that the outward members of one body do towards one another] and members in particular. [Gr. of a part, i.e. each believer is a particular member and part of the same body, which consists of all the parts and members joined together: therefore each part must be respected and esteemed in its own order, and contribute all to the service and benefit of the whole.]

28. And God hath set some in this Church, [Namely, to certain ministries in the same: of which ministries he now treats further, for the exposition of ver. 5.] first Apostles, [of the word Apostles see Luke 6:13. To these the first and chiefest place is ascribed amongst the ministers of the Church of the new Testament, because they were called by Christ himself without means of men, Galatians 1:1. could not err in teaching, were sent to preach throughout the whole world, and were furnished with a special power to work miracles, and punish the disobedient] secondly Prophets, [see ver. 10. and Romans 12:7. Ephesians 4:11.] thirdly teachers, [that is, who are ordinarily called, to interpret the Scripture for the edification of the Church, and to maintain and defend the doctrine of the same against false teachers. See Ephesians 4:11.] afterward powers [that is, they that are endued with the gift to confirm the doctrine by miracles , and with power miraculously to punish the stiff-necked] after that gifts of healings, [who have such a gift by miracle to cure incurable and all other diseases. See ver. 9.] helps, [that is, who take care of and help the poor and sick] governments, [that is, they that are appointed to keep the Church in good order, and to guide them, which are Elders, Romans 12:8. 1 Tim. 5. 17.] many kinds of tongues. [Gr. sorts of tongues. See ver. 10.]

29. Are they all Apostles? [That is, seeing then the ministries of the Church have not all administrations of one kind, nor of equal dignity, therefore they that have the highest ought not to despise them who have a lower, neither ought these to grudge the other this, and so to contend one amongst another, but to bestow their service each in his place for edification and peace] are they all Prophets? Are they all teachers? Are they all powers:

30. Have they all gifts of healings? Do they all speak with (many kinds of) tongues? Are they all interpreters? [Or, translators. Namely, or strange languages. See ver. 10.]

31. But be zealous after the best gifts: [Gr. the better, i.e. although the gifts are divers, the one more excellent than the other, and that each one being content with his own, how mean soever it be, must look to bestow the same, for the greatest profit and edification of the Church, yet nevertheless it is commendable also that men by convenient means seek after this, that they may get the best and most excellent] and I show you a way which is yet more excellent. [Gr. a way according to excellency, namely, which he sets forth in the following chapter, which is, that leaving all contention, pride, and despising, we order all our actions out of, and according to love.]