CONCERNING SPIRITUALS


 


CONCERNING SPIRITUALS

 

The first 11 Chapters of 1Corinthians, Paul is talking to them about various topics, weaving advice, direction, correction, and instruction throughout the conversation.

In 1Cor12:1 he makes an emphatic shift to address a specific theme, saying,

“NOW CONCERNING SPIRITUAL GIFTS, brethren, I would not have you ignorant.”

He continues this theme throughout the next three chapters… unfortunately, about which we still seem to be the most ignorant.

 

The difficulty is discovered as we look at the first few verses of the chapter.

Verse1: “now concerning spiritual GIFTS…”

Verse4: Now there are diversities of GIFTS, but the same Spirit.”

The word, “CHARISMATON” (GIFTS) is not in the first verse. Apparently, the translators figured that just saying, “spirituals, or spiritual things” would not make sense to the reader… so, they added the word GIFTS in italics in most translations.  

 

In context, however, verses 4-6 set up the next three chapters describing SPIRITUAL THINGS

·      diversities of GIFTS (CHARISMATON), but the same SPIRIT.

·      differences of ADMINISTRATIONS, but the same LORD (JESUS)

·      diversities of OPERATIONS, but it is the same GOD (FATHER)

 

Interestingly… the seven “CHARISMATA (GIFTS) of the Spirit are listed in Rom12:5-8, stating, “Having GIFTS (CHARISMATA) differing according to the GRACE (CHARIS) that is given to us…”, then lists them.

 

So… what are all of these things in 1Cor12 that are worked by “that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will.” (1Cor12:11)?

 

 

“But the MANIFESTATION OF THE SPIRIT is GIVEN to every man to profit Withal.” (1Cor12:7)

phanérōsis – a manifestation, a "coming to light." the act of making something visible or known… an exhibition disclosing and clearly revealing who one is.

 

The word “GIVEN” in verse7 is the Greek verb "δίδωμι" (didómi) – offering oneself to bestow blessings.

This differs from the word “CHARISMATA” (GIFT, which literally means, "grace-endowments."… personal grace bestowment in order that “the whole body, joined and knit together, BY WHAT EVERY JOINT SUPPLIES, according to the effective working by which EVERY PART DOES ITS SHARE, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love.” (Eph4:16)

 

So, the 9 things listed in 1Cor12:7-11 are simply what happens when the Holy Spirit MANIFESTS…

shows out…

displays…

brings to light…

exhibits or discloses…

offering Himself as interactive within the Body of Christ…

…thus, proving His working presence,

…profiting the whole.


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