Paul is correcting a wrong view of gifts.
- The Spirit proclaims Jesus as Lord.
- 12:2-3. This could be ecstatic worship, which is fundamentally unchristian – 1 Cor.14:29, 32. Lucian: ‘A sort of god carries us away wherever he wills, and it is impossible to resist him.’
- John 16:14. It is the content, not the manner, which matters.
- There is a diversity of gifts.
- the three persons of the Trinity are involved – 12:4-6. In verses 8-10 there are nine gifts listed. There are more lists in Romans 12, Ephesians 4, and 1 Peter 4.
- We are to use our gifts for the common good.
- 12:7; 1 Pet.4:10. A good soccer player works for the team. Joni Eareckson Tada tells of a time when she was speaking in a church in Germany, and a woman named Elizabeth acted as her interpreter. During a break, someone dropped an English-language magazine in Joni’s lap for her to read. As a quadriplegic, she could not lift it, and her blind interpreter could not read it. So the blind woman held it up to Joni who then read it for both of them. Problem solved!
- These gifts are sovereignly given.
- 12:11. See Eph.4:8; Rom.12:3; 1 Pet.4:11. Centre on Christ, not the Spirit; humbly recognise that any gifts you have are gifts; and use these various gifts for the good of the people of Christ.