August 4 Click on verses for Full Scripture

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Today's Pathway: I Corinthians 12:4-11 Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. And there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord. And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all. But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal. For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit; To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit; To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues: But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will.

In today's passage Paul is explaining spiritual gifts to the Corinthians. In verses 4-6 he discusses three different aspects of service to the Lord. It is interesting that he associates each one of these with one Person of the Trinity. In verse 4 He mentions the Holy Spirit. In verse 5 He speaks of the Lord Jesus. In verse 6 he talks about God the Father. While not normally considered to be a passage dealing with the doctrine of the Trinity, these verses show all three members of the Trinity and unite them into One.

He opens in verse 4 by reminding the Corinthians that there are different kinds of spiritual gifts. The church there seemed to focus all their attention on the "showy" gifts: speaking in tongues, interpreting tongues, healing,and prophesying. Paul lists several of those gifts in verses 8-10. However, he also mentions faith and words of wisdom and words of knowledge. In Romans 12:6-8 he adds ministry, teaching, ruling, exhorting, and giving. Paul wants the church to understand that not everyone has the same spiritual gift, but every believer has the same Holy Spirit. In verse 5 he adds that there are also different administrations. "Administrations" is translated from the Greek word for "ministries", or "service".

Not only has God given different Christians different spiritual gifts to use in the local church, but he has also given different people different areas of ministry. Some teach. Some play instruments. Some work with children. Others provide meals or handle the finances. Some take care of the property. The areas of ministry vary, and God places and equips different people for those areas of ministry. Not everyone has a musical talent, and probably will not be involved in a music ministry. Someone with limited mechanical skills will probably not have a large part in the maintenance ministry. However, whatever ministry a person has, it has been given to him by Jesus Christ. Finally, Paul states that there are different "operations" in the church. The word "operations" is translated from the Greek word that is the basis for our English word "energy". Different people have different levels of energy. One Christian may be able to accomplish more than another Christian simply based upon his physical or mental stamina. Paul reminds his readers in verse 6 that it is God Who gave each person his energy, and it is God Who ultimately gives that person the power to accomplish his ministry and effectively use the gift that God has given. John MacArthur summarizes this section this way:

"Neither are God’s children replaceable nor the ministries He has given them replaceable. No other believer can take our place in God’s work. He has given no one the exact gift He has given us and He has given no one the exact ministry He has given us. If we do not use our gift no one else will; if we do not fulfill our ministry it will not be fulfilled."

In verse 8 he reminds the church why these gifts, ministries, and energies were given to them. They were given "to profit withal". First, note that the verb "given" indicates an action that was completed in the past. Our gifts were given at the point of salvation, and we are not going to get any more. Second, we did not receive the gifts so that we could flaunt ourselves in front of others. They were given so each member would bring a profit, or be useful, to every other member. Regardless of what gift or ministry or energy level a person has, it has been given to him so that he can use it to be a blessing and help to his fellow church members.

Finally, verse 11 points out that all the things that the believers had were given by the Holy Spirit and they were totally based upon His will. No man deserves them, and no man can do something to get more. The Spirit makes the decision and gives the gifts, and He always does it exactly the way it should be done. No Christian should become prideful over what he has, and no Christian should feel slighted because of what he may not have. The Spirit graciously gives each believer what is best.

Are you using what God has given you to be a blessing to your brothers and sister in your church?