In chapter 12 of 1 Corinthians, we find essential teaching for those desiring to live and grow in the gospel: the role of the Holy Spirit. Specifically, the Spirit's role in the local church - the gathering of believers. There were misunderstandings in the Corinthian church about the role of God's Spirit in the local body, and they wrote to Paul for clarification.
Please read Paul's introduction to this subject, and let's learn together how God's Spirit helps us to live and grow in the gospel:
“Now, dear brothers and sisters, regarding your question about the special abilities the Spirit gives us. I don’t want you to misunderstand this. 2 You know that when you were still pagans, you were led astray and swept along in worshiping speechless idols. 3 So I want you to know that no one speaking by the Spirit of God will curse Jesus, and no one can say Jesus is Lord, except by the Holy Spirit. 4 There are different kinds of spiritual gifts, but the same Spirit is the source of them all. 5 There are different kinds of service, but we serve the same Lord. 6 God works in different ways, but it is the same God who does the work in all of us”
1 Corinthians 12:1-6
Question 1. According to 1 Corinthians 12:3, what change does the Holy Spirit make in the life of a believer?
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The first thing Paul wants the Corinthians to know is that the Spirit changes our view of Christ! Notice the contrast:
When the Corinthians were “worshiping speechless idols,” they were “led astray” by the demons behind the idols. Anytime people are idolatrous, demonic influence leads them to rage at God, lifting their fist to the sky, so to speak, in their misplaced anger, which amounts to cursing Christ. Whenever you feel anger at God and want to curse, check for idols in your life and see if you are being “led astray” by them.
Conversely, the Spirit of God comes to us to point out the work of Jesus for us. He lifts high the cross and shows us how Jesus was cursed for our sin (Galatians 3:13), was broken (1 Corinthians 11:24), and poured out for us in love (Luke 22:20). The Spirit of God shows us how Jesus on the cross righted our every wrong (Luke 4:18-19), gave back to God what we stole (Psalm 69:4), paid for our every sin (Romans 6:23), freed us from guilt (Hebrews 10:2), silenced our enemies (Colossians 2:14-15) and secured our eternal redemption (Hebrews 9:12). He leads us to receive and submit to Jesus as Lord and repent of our previous rage toward God, our cursing of Jesus.
This way is the first proof that the Spirit of God has been at work in our hearts, this total change of heart toward Jesus: whereas before we cursed Him, now we submit to Him as Lord and worship Him with joy.
Next, Paul wants the Corinthians, and us, to know that the Spirit of God works His differing gifts to bring unity and maturity in the local body of believers (1 Corinthians 12:4-6). From his statements here, it seems that people in Corinth were exalting individual spiritual gifts, not realizing the reason the Spirit gives each gift is for the mutual benefit and edification of all in the body. Notice how Paul emphasizes unity within the diverse gifts:
There are different kinds of spiritual gifts, but the same Spirit is the source of them all. 5 There are different kinds of service, but we serve the same Lord. 6 God works in different ways, but it is the same God who does the work in all of us”
1 Corinthians 12:4-6
Here we see “different kinds of spiritual gifts,” “different kinds of service,” and “God works in different ways,” but we also see it is the “same Spirit,” the “same Lord,” and the “same God” who does the work “in all of us.” Diversity of gifting, but unity as God works these gifts in His people.
Living and growing in the gospel means that while we each have a different gift for serving the church, and we are all gathered together around one cross, worshiping one Lamb, serving one Lord. Gifts should bring unity and maturity, not the exaltation of individuals for their gifting.
Question 2. Why is it important that each gift in the local church promote unity and maturity in the body rather than bringing glory to individuals?
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“For Paul, the work of the Holy Spirit frees us from slavery to ‘mute idols’ (12:2), enables us to confess Jesus as Lord (v. 3), and gives us gifts that move the church toward greater maturity”.
Gospel Transformation Study Bible Notes