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1. The ancient prophets had clearly predicted that the Messianic period should be attended by a remarkable effusion of the Holy Spirit. Our Lord, before His crucifixion, promised to send the Holy Ghost (John 14., etc.), and after His resurrection He said, "These signs shall follow them that believe," etc. (Mark 16. 17, 18; cf. Acts 1:5). On the day of Pentecost these promises and prophecies were literally fulfilled.

2. The peculiarity of the new dispensation consisted —

(1) In the general diffusion of these gifts. They were extended to all classes —

(2) In their wonderful diversity.

3. Under circumstances so extraordinary it was unavoidable that many disorders should arise.

(1) Some claimed to be the organs of the Spirit, who were deluded or impostors.

(2) Some were dissatisfied with their gifts, and envied those whom they regarded as more highly favoured.

(3) Others were inflated, and made an ostentatious display of their powers.

(4) Many persons were desirous to exercise their gifts at the same time.

4. To the correction of these evils the apostle now devotes himself. Note —

I. THE CRITERION BY WHICH THEY MIGHT DECIDE WHETHER THOSE WHO PRETENDED TO BE THE ORGANS OF THE SPIRIT WERE REALLY UNDER HIS INFLUENCE. Do they blaspheme Christ or do they worship Him? If they recognise Jesus as Lord, then they are under the influence of the Holy Ghost (vers. 1-3).

II. THESE GIFTS, whether viewed as graces of the Spirit, or as forms of ministering to Christ, or the effects of God's power, ARE BUT DIFFERENT MANIFESTATIONS OF THE HOLY GHOST, AND ARE ALL INTENDED FOR THE EDIFICATION OF THE CHURCH (VERS. 4-7).

III. THEIR ARRANGEMENT.

1. The word of wisdom and the word of knowledge.

2. Faith, the gift of healing, the power of working miracles, prophesying, and the discerning of spirits.

3. The gift of tongues and their interpretation (vers. 8-10).

IV. THEY ARE NOT ONLY THE FRUITS OF THE SPIRIT, BUT ARE DISTRIBUTED ACCORDING TO HIS SOVEREIGN WILL (ver. 11).

V. THERE IS IN THIS MATTER A STRIKING ANALOGY BETWEEN THE CHURCH AND THE HUMAN BODY. For —

1. As the body is one because animated by one spirit, so the Church is one because of the indwelling of the Holy Ghost.

2. As the unity of life in the body is manifested in a diversity of organs and members, so is the indwelling of the Spirit by a diversity of gifts and offices.

3. As the very idea of the body as an organisation supposes this diversity in unity, the same is true in regard to the Church.

4. As in the body the members are mutually dependent, and no one exists for itself alone, so also in the Church.

5. As in the body the position and function of each member are determined by God, so also these gifts are distributed according to the good pleasure of their Author.

6. In the body the least attractive parts are those which are indispensable to its existence, and so in the Church it is not the most attractive gifts which are the most useful.

VI. INFERENCES FROM THIS ANALOGY.

1. Every one should be contented with the gift which he has received just as the hand and the foot are contented with their position and office in the body.

2. There should be no exaltation of one member of the Church because of his gifts.

3. There must be mutual sympathy between the members of the Church, as there is between the members of the body. One cannot suffer without all the others suffering with it. No one lives, or acts, or feels for itself alone, but each in all the rest (vers. 12-27). Conclusion: What the apostle had said with regard to these spiritual gifts, applies in all its force to the various offices of the Church, which are the organs through which the gifts of the Spirit are exercised (vers. 28-31).

(C. Hodge, D.D.)

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KJV: Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I would not have you ignorant.

WEB: Now concerning spiritual things, brothers, I don't want you to be ignorant.