1 Corinthians 12:1 kjv
Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I would not have you ignorant.
1 Corinthians 12:1 nkjv
Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I do not want you to be ignorant:
1 Corinthians 12:1 niv
Now about the gifts of the Spirit, brothers and sisters, I do not want you to be uninformed.
1 Corinthians 12:1 esv
Now concerning spiritual gifts, brothers, I do not want you to be uninformed.
1 Corinthians 12:1 nlt
Now, dear brothers and sisters, regarding your question about the special abilities the Spirit gives us. I don't want you to misunderstand this.
1 Corinthians 12 1 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Cor 2:12 | ...we received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might understand the things freely given us by God. | To understand spiritual matters |
| 1 Cor 12:4 | Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit. | Source of all gifts |
| 1 Cor 14:1 | Seek spiritual gifts, especially that you may prophesy. | Desire for spiritual gifts |
| 1 Cor 14:32 | And the spirits of prophets are subject to prophets. | Control and order of gifts |
| Eph 4:30 | And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. | Role of the Holy Spirit |
| 1 John 4:1 | Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world. | Discernment of spirits |
| John 15:26 | "When the Helper comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth, who proceeds from the Father, he will bear witness about me. | Role of the Holy Spirit |
| Rom 12:3 | For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned. | Proper understanding of self and gifts |
| 1 Thes 5:20 | do not despise prophecies | Regarding the reception of prophecy |
| Acts 17:11 | Now these Jews were more noble than those in Thessalonica, because they received the word with all eagerness, examining the texts daily to see that these things were so. | Examining spiritual truth |
| 1 Cor 12:7 | Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. | Purpose of gifts |
| 1 Cor 12:27 | Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it. | Unity and the body of Christ |
| Rom 8:14 | For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. | Guidance by the Spirit |
| Heb 12:10 | for they disciplined us for a short time as seemed best to them, but he disciplines us for our good, that we may share his holiness. | God's discipline for our good |
| Gal 5:22-23 | But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. | Fruit of the Spirit |
| Col 2:18 | Let no one disqualify you, insisting on asceticism and worship of angels,ÑOñstepping no further than the visions he has seen, puffed up without reason by his sensuous mind. | Dangers of false teachings |
| 1 Tim 3:16 | Great indeed, we confess, is the mystery of godliness: He was manifested in the flesh, vindicated by the Spirit, seen by angels, preached among the nations, believed on in the world, taken up in glory. | Manifestation of God |
| 2 Cor 13:14 | The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all. | Communion of the Spirit |
| Acts 2:17 | And in the last days it shall be, God declares, that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh, and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy... | Fulfillment of prophecy |
| Heb 2:4 | while God also bore witness by signs and wonders and various miracles, and by gifts of the Holy Spirit distributed according to his will? | Divine authentication of message |
1 Corinthians 12 verses
1 Corinthians 12 1 Meaning
The verse signifies a transition in Paul’s discussion from spiritual gifts themselves to the importance of understanding and discerning them correctly. It sets the stage for correcting potential misunderstandings or abuses of spiritual power within the Corinthian church. Paul wants to establish that the source of all spiritual manifestations is God, and a proper understanding of this source is crucial for their proper use and benefit to the body of Christ.
1 Corinthians 12 1 Context
This verse introduces the section of 1 Corinthians dealing with spiritual gifts. The Corinthian church was experiencing vibrant manifestations of the Spirit, but this had led to disorder, division, and potential pride. Some individuals might have been overemphasizing certain gifts, creating a hierarchy or using them selfishly. Paul addresses this by first establishing a foundational principle: that all spiritual manifestations originate from God and are given by the Holy Spirit for the edification of the entire body of Christ. This verse, along with the following verses, is crucial for understanding the purpose and proper administration of spiritual gifts, aiming to bring order and unity to the church. Historically, Corinth was a port city known for its cosmopolitan culture and a penchant for philosophical speculation and ecstatic religious experiences. Paul is addressing issues arising from these cultural influences and their impact on the nascent Christian community.
1 Corinthians 12 1 Word analysis
PERI (περὶ - peri): Preposition meaning "concerning," "about," or "regarding." It introduces the topic of discussion.
- Significance: Paul is shifting focus to a new area of Christian experience.
DE ( δὲ - de): Postpositive conjunction meaning "but," "and," or "now." It acts as a connector, often indicating a transition or contrast.
- Significance: It links this new discussion to the previous points made about Christian life and practice.
TWN (τῶν - tōn): Definite article, genitive plural, masculine/neuter. Translates to "the."
- Significance: Specifies the "spiritual gifts" being discussed.
PNEUMATIKWN (πνευματικῶν - pneumatikōn): Adjective meaning "spiritual" (from pneuma, spirit). It modifies "gifts" (implied from the genitive plural article). Refers to things pertaining to the Holy Spirit or having a spiritual nature.
- Significance: Highlights the divine origin and character of these gifts, not natural talents or human achievements.
CEARWN (χειρῶν - cheirōn): Genitive plural of cheir, meaning "hand," "handiwork," or "by the agency of." In this context, it is idiomatic, translating more accurately to "gifts." The literal "gifts of hands" is not intended.
- Significance: This usage can be interpreted as "gifts of the Spirit" or perhaps even "gifts which are manifestations of spiritual power." The phrasing emphasizes they are manifestations of the Spirit's activity.
Group Analysis: "PERI DE TWN PNEUMATIKWN CEARWN" translates roughly to "Now concerning spiritual gifts." This phrase sets the theme for the following chapters, where Paul systematically addresses the various manifestations of the Holy Spirit given to believers. The phrasing implies these are not mere human abilities but divinely empowered expressions of God's Spirit at work.
1 Corinthians 12 1 Bonus Section
The Greek word "pneuma" (πνεῦμα) itself can refer to the Holy Spirit, but also to a human spirit, or even to a disembodied spirit or demon. The context here, with "pneuma" used adjectivally ("pneumatikōn"), strongly points to operations originating from the Holy Spirit. Paul's concern is to distinguish genuine manifestations of the Spirit from potentially counterfeit or misapplied spiritual experiences. The structure of the argument in this chapter and the next two chapters (1 Corinthians 12-14) moves from the divine source of the gifts, to their diversity and unity within the body, and then to the proper practice and regulation of certain gifts, particularly prophecy and tongues. The exhortation to "know" or "be informed" is a call to a foundational understanding before moving to practice.
1 Corinthians 12 1 Commentary
Paul is about to delve into the complexities of spiritual gifts, which were a point of contention and confusion in Corinth. He frames this discussion by emphasizing that these "spiritual gifts" are not merely human talents but are supernatural endowments directly from the Holy Spirit. It’s crucial to approach this topic with the understanding that their purpose is to build up the entire body of Christ, not to elevate individuals. This understanding guards against division and improper use.