An honest look at the gifts of the Spirit.
Can we expect Holy Spirit activity in the church today?
This blasphemous language against Jesus was mainly by the Jews (
Jesus is Lord (Κυριος Ἰησους [Kurios Iēsous]). The term Κυριος [Kurios], as we have seen, is common in the LXX for God. The Romans used it freely for the emperor in the emperor worship. “Most important of all is the early establishment of a polemical parallelism between the cult of Christ and the cult of Caesar in the application of the term Κυριος [Kurios], ‘lord.’ The new texts have here furnished quite astonishing revelations” (Deissmann, Light from the Ancient East, p. 349). Inscriptions, ostraca, papyri apply the term to Roman emperors, particularly to Nero when Paul wrote this very letter (ib., p. 353f.): “One with ‘Nero Kurios’ quite in the manner of a formula (without article, like the ‘Kurios Jesus’ in
The battle-cries of the spirits of error and of truth contending at Corinth” (Findlay). One is reminded of the demand made by Polycarp that he say Κυριος Καεσαρ [Kurios Kaesar] and how each time he replied Κυριος Ἰησους [Kurios Iēsous]. He paid the penalty for his loyalty with his life. Lighthearted men today can say “Lord Jesus” in a flippant or even in an irreverent way, but no Jew or Gentile then said it who did not mean it.
Diversities (διαιρεσεις [diaireseis]). Old word for distinctions, differences, distributions, from διαιρεω [diaireō], to distribute, as διαιρουν [diairoun] (dividing, distributing) in verse 11. Only here in the N. T.
Of workings (ἐνεργηματων [energēmatōn]). Late word, here only in N. T., the effect of a thing wrought (from ἐνεργεω [energeō], to operate, perform, energize). Paul uses also the late kindred word ἐνεργεια [energeia] (
Manifestation (φανερωσις [phanerōsis]). Late word, in papyri, in N. T. only here and
The Word of wisdom (λογος σοφιας [logos sophias]). Old words. Λογος [Logos] is reason, then speech. Wisdom is intelligence, then practical action in accord with it. Here it is speech full of God’s wisdom (2:7) under the impulse of the Spirit of God. This gift is placed first (revelation by the Spirit). The word of knowledge (λογος γνωσεως [logos gnōseōs]). This gift is insight (illumination) according to (κατα [kata]) the same Spirit.
Faith (πιστις [pistis]). Not faith of surrender, saving faith, but wonder-working faith like that in 13:2 (
Workings of miracles (ἐνεργηματα δυναμεων [energēmata dunameōn]). Workings of powers. Cf. ἐνεργων δυναμεις [energōn dunameis] in
Prophecy (προφητεια [propheteia]). Late word from προφητης [prophetes] and προφημι [prophēmi], to speak forth. Common in papyri. This gift Paul will praise most (chapter 14.). Not always prediction, but a speaking forth of God’s message under the guidance of the Holy Spirit
Discernings of spirits (διακρισεις πνευματων [diakriseis pneumaton]). Διακρισις [Diakrisis] is old word from διακρινω [diakrinō] (see 11:29) and in N. T. only here;
Divers kinds of tongues (γενη γλωσσων [genē glōssōn]). No word for “divers” in the Greek. There has arisen a great deal of confusion concerning the gift of tongues as found in Corinth. They prided themselves chiefly on this gift which had become a source of confusion and disorder. There were varieties (kinds, γενη [genē]) in this gift, but the gift was essentially an ecstatic utterance of highly wrought emotion that edified the speaker (14:4) and was intelligible to God (14:2, 28). It was not always true that the speaker in tongues could make clear what he had said to those who did not know the tongue (14:13): It was not mere gibberish or jargon like the modern “tongues,” but in a real language that could be understood by one familiar with that tongue as was seen on the great Day of Pentecost when people who spoke different languages were present. In Corinth, where no such variety of people existed, it required an interpreter to explain the tongue to those who knew it not. Hence Paul placed this gift lowest of all. It created wonder, but did little real good. This is the error of the Irvingites and others who have tried to reproduce this early gift of the Holy Spirit which was clearly for a special emergency and which was not designed to help spread the gospel among men. See on
The interpretation of tongues (ἑρμηνεια γλωσσων [hermēneia glōssōn]). Old word, here only and 14:26 in N. T., from ἑρμηνευω [hermēneuō] from ἑρμης [Hermēs] (the god of speech). Cf. on διερμηνευω [diermēneuō] in
Worketh (eνεργει [energei]). The same word that was used in verse 6 of God. Severally (ἰδιᾳ [idiai]). Separately. Even as he will (καθως βουλεται [kathos bouletai]). Hence there is no occasion for conceit, pride, or faction (4:7).
