Subject: Explain spiritual gifts ? ? |
Bible Note: DL5 You refer to 1 Cor. ch. 13 - the love chapter. Clearly it infers that the greatest gift is love. That all the gifts we have been given by God will pass away, but love never fails. Ch. 14 goes on to tell us that Paul would rather have the Corinthians seek the gift of prophecy rather than tongues, because tongues does nothing to build up the body of Christ unless an interpreter is present. Vs 31 of 1 cor. 12 and vs. 1 of 1 Cor. 14 use the word "desire". "Desire" in the greek is zeloo a plural verb commanding the whole church, not just individuals within the Corinthian church. It can mean affect, desire, envy, jealous, zealous; to have a warm feeling... This is not telling individual believers to desire certain gifts, because God the Spirit gives the gifts as He wills. This is telling the Corinthian church to desire that the greater gifts are within their body. The same is true for today. "The greater gifts" within this context most likely are the ones listed first in the order of verse 28 of 1 cor. 12. Apostles, prophets, and teachers all have to do with giving out the Word of God which is the basis by which the body of believers live. Some scholars think that verse 31 is in the indicative mood instead of the imperative and translate it as saying, "You are earnestly desiring the greater gifts." They think that this means that the Corinthian church desired the gifts of tongues, chapter 14, more than any other. Then the last part of the verse is a contrast with that desire of tongues for everyone in the body ... "but I show you a still more excellent way." Either way, the interpretation of this verse has to come from its context. It is not telling individual believers that they should be seeking for God to give them a greater gift than what He has. This is to a whole body of believers, and it does not contradict verses 11, 18, 24 or 28. Keep in mind 1 Cor. 12:1-2 Paul was talking to a group of new believers who were pagans. They used to worship idols and followed after every new teaching. He was trying to impress the truth upon them. He did not want them to be led astray. He did not want them to think that some gifts were better then others. They all thought tongues was better, but Paul was clear that no gift is better than another, for all were for the building up of the body of Christ. He used as his example the gift of prophecy. The gift of prophecy was not about telling the future (as most people think it is today) but it was for the edification, exhortation and consolation of the body of Christ. It was a forthtelling gift used to edify the church. It seems from 1 Cor. 13:2 that a supernatural ability to comprehend the overall picture of the Word is part of the gift of prophecy. You referred to James 1:5 I'm not sure why you reference it as it talks about asking God for wisdom not a spiritual gift. In other words if you have a question to ask God - go ahead and ask it. As for Rom. 1:11 again read the surrounding text. Paul talked about his gifts and how he longed to come and impart a spiritual gift to them. Spiritual in the greek is translated pneumatiko meaning one who is filled with and governed by the Spirit of God. Gift in the greek is translated Charisma meaning in this context the gift of faith , knowledge, holiness or virture. So what Paul is going to do is use his speaking gift of prophecy to impart wisdom or knowledge to the Corinthians. |