1 Corinthians 12:1-7 - ”Unity in Diversity - The Gifts Part 1” - Brent Stephens / September 10, 2023

In the last chapter, we read about Paul’s concern for the socioeconomic disparities that existed in the church. The members of the church needed to see the table of the Lord as a place of unity in Christ, regardless of social status. All are equal at the foot of the cross! Paul now turns his attention to another disparity that exists within the church. It seems the church in Corinth has several members with a wide array of spiritual gifts. The word “gifts” in Greek is charisma and can also be translated as “grace” (v. 4). Not only is our salvation an act of grace that we receive from God (Ephesians 2:8), but our very talents used to advance His kingdom also find their genesis in His grace! This is a truth that every modern “Charismatic” Christian should take note of and remember. In chapter 12, Paul begins to address this new topic, spending quite a lot of time on it. He won’t finish until chapter 14. Paul begins this section with the words “Now concerning”—words we have seen before in this letter (7:1; 8:1). This gives us an understanding as to why so much ink is spilled on the topic of gifts. Paul is answering specific questions that have been sent to him by the church. They seem to have lots of questions and Paul wants them to have the correct information and understanding that they seek (v. 1).