Paul’s 1 Corinthians 12-14 was necessary because the Church at Corinth had convoluted the purpose of spiritual gifts. To them, the gifts became, not divine tools to bless and edify, but ornaments to show-off and draw attention to themselves.
The historical setting of Corinth helps explain why this was the case. Corinth was a wealthy, cosmopolitan Roman colony rebuilt by Julius Caesar in 44 BC. It was famous for commerce, patronage, social competition, public rhetoric, and the pursuit of honor. Society was deeply hierarchical, and public recognition was highly valued. Citizens sought prestige through eloquent speech, displays of wealth, and visible accomplishments. Thus, the Corinthian Christian converts inevitably brought these cultural values into the church. Consequently, spiritual gifts (especially tongues) were used, not to promote the well-being of others, but to flaunt one’s own spirituality. Instead of asking, “How can I build up my brothers and sisters with my gifts?” many were effectively asking, “How can I demonstrate my spirituality?”
Hence, Paul writes 1 Corinthians 12-14 to restore order in the use of the Spirit’s gifts, not to discourage believers from desiring them. Much is said in this section (1 Corin 12-14), however, our current study (on the gifts themselves) would focus on the first eleven verses of 1 Corinthians 12.
1 Corinthians 12:1 opens up this way, “Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I do not want you to be ignorant.” Notice that the word “gifts” is italicized. Italicized words are not original to the Biblical text but were included by the translators to complete a thought. The text may be better read thus, “…concerning things spiritual, brethren, I do not want you to be ignorant.”
Paul uses the Greek word “pneumatikōn” (πνευματικῶν) here which means “things relating to, emanating from and which pertain to the Spirit” i.e. spiritual things. Paul explains that the saints (“brethren”) should not be ignorant concerning these things.
The word “ignorant” translates the Greek “agnoeó” (ἀγνοέω) which can be understood in two different contexts:
1) It could refer to ignorance, whereby there is an absence of information.
2) It could also refer to a deliberate disinclination from information. That is, information which is readily available has been ignored.
Many Bible scholars agree that Paul uses the word in the second context in 1 Corinthians 12:1. Paul HAD taught the Corinthians (see Acts 18:1-11), so they were not without information. But they had definitely ignored the information given them by Paul.
Paul explains that a proper use of spiritual gifts will glorify Christ, not self, “You know that you were Gentiles, carried away to these dumb idols, however you were led. Therefore I make known to you that no one speaking by the Spirit of God calls Jesus accursed, and no one can say that Jesus is lord except by the Holy Spirit” (vv. 2-3). Every genuine manifestation of the Holy Spirit will exalt Christ and reveal His lordship.
The Spirit was given to point to Christ. His all-encompassing work and ministry is to make Christ known. Just as the Son glorifies the Father by revealing Him in word and deed (Jn 1:18, 17:4), so the Spirit glorifies the Son by revealing Him.
John 16:12-15 (NKJV)
12 “I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. 13 However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come. 14 HE WILL GLORIFY ME, for He will take of what is Mine and DECLARE IT TO YOU. 15 All things that the Father has are Mine. Therefore I said that He will take of Mine and DECLARE IT TO YOU.
From vv. 4-6, Paul explains that the gifts of the Spirit come in diverse forms, “There are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. There are differences of ministries, but the same Lord. And there are diversities of activities, but it is the same God who works all in all.” Although the gifts differ, God has given each believer the ability to manifest these gifts, for the common good, “But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all” (vs. 7). The word “manifestation” refers to an exhibition or display of the gifts of the Spirit (Grk. “phanerósis”).
Vv. 8-11 list the gifts, “For to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, to another the word of knowledge through the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healings by the same Spirit, to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another discerning of spirits, to another different kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually as He wills.”
Now, Howard Carter (1891-1971), one of the pioneering figures of Pentecostalism, and leader of the Hampstead Bible School in London for 27 years, proposed one of the most influential classifications of the gifts of the Spirit in 1 Corinthians 12:8-10.
According to him, these gifts (nine in number) may be further divided into three categories: the utterance gifts, the revelatory gifts and the power gifts. The utterance gifts consist of the gift of tongues, the interpretation of tongues and prophecy. They enable one to speak, supernaturally.
The revelatory gifts are the word of knowledge, the word of wisdom and the discerning of spirits. They enable one to see or sense, supernaturally.
The power gifts include the gifts of healings, the working of miracles and the gift of faith. They enable one to do or perform acts, supernaturally. They involve a more conspicuous display of God’s power. We align with Carter’s classification. In subsequent studies, each one of the nine gifts would be examined in much detail.
Josh Banks Ministries. 2026.
