1 Corinthians 12:1 (KJV)

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

Introduction

The church at Corinth was not lacking spiritual ability. In fact, Paul says earlier:

1 Corinthians 1:7 “So that ye come behind in no gift.”

They were gifted, energetic, and active. Yet the same church struggled with division, pride, disorder in worship, and confusion about spiritual experiences.

This tells us something important.

A church can be gifted and still be unhealthy.
The Corinthians had gifts but lacked maturity. They had enthusiasm but lacked understanding. They had experiences but lacked biblical clarity.

So Paul devotes three full chapters to correcting their thinking.

He explains:

where gifts come from
why gifts exist
how gifts function
what must govern their use

The discussion begins with a pastoral concern:

“Brethren, I would not have you ignorant.”

1. God Does Not Want His Church to Remain Ignorant About Spiritual Gifts

1 Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I would not have you ignorant. 2 Ye know that ye were Gentiles, carried away unto these dumb idols, even as ye were led.

A. Spiritual ignorance produces spiritual problems

The Corinthian church had gifts but lacked understanding (1 Corinthians 12:1).

Their ignorance produced pride, division, and disorder in worship throughout the letter.

Paul warns believers not to remain ignorant about important doctrines.

Examples Paul gives:

Romans 11:25 — God’s plan for Israel
1 Thessalonians 4:13 — The return of Christ
1 Corinthians 12:1 — Spiritual gifts

The greatest enemies of the church are not always her critics but her confusions.

B. Many believers remain ignorant for predictable reasons

Some churches never teach the subject of spiritual gifts.
Some avoid the topic because of controversy surrounding miraculous gifts.
Some believers misunderstand gifts by confusing them with natural talents.

Pride and comparison distort how gifts are viewed.

C. God replaces confusion with clarity through Scripture

Scripture explains the origin of spiritual gifts (1 Corinthians 12:4).
Scripture explains the purpose of spiritual gifts (1 Corinthians 12:7).
Scripture explains the proper use of spiritual gifts (1 Corinthians 14:26).

Paul is correcting a false idea of spirituality.

Corinth loved dramatic spiritual experiences.

Paul explains that the first evidence of the Spirit is a right confession about Jesus (1 Corinthians 12:3).

The Spirit’s primary work is exalting Christ rather than producing spectacle.

2. Every Believer Has Received a Spiritual Gift

7 But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal.

A. Spiritual gifts are manifestations of the Holy Spirit

Gifts reveal the activity of the Spirit through believers (1 Corinthians 12:7).
Gifts are not merely abilities but Spirit-enabled ministry.
The Spirit chooses to work through ordinary believers for extraordinary purposes.

The Trinity is involved in the life of the church (1 Corinthians 12:4–6).

The Spirit distributes gifts.
The Son appoints ministries.
The Father empowers the results.

Spiritual gifts are not medals of honor but tools of service.

B. Every believer receives at least one spiritual gift

Paul says the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man (1 Corinthians 12:7).
Peter confirms every believer has received a gift (1 Peter 4:10).
No believer is spiritually unnecessary within the body of Christ.

1 Peter 4:10 “As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another.”

C. Gifts are given for the good of the church

Gifts are given “to profit withal” (1 Corinthians 12:7).
Their purpose is the common good of the body.
Spiritual gifts exist to strengthen others in the church.

“Gifts are not toys to play with. They are tools to build with.” — Warren Wiersbe

3. Spiritual Gifts Are Expressions of Divine Grace Rather Than Personal Achievement

4 Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit.

A. The word for gift comes from the word for grace

The Greek word charisma comes from charis, meaning grace.
Spiritual gifts are grace expressed through ability.
Gifts are divine enablements given by God.

B. Because gifts are received, boasting is impossible

7 For who maketh thee to differ from another? and what hast thou that thou didst not receive? now if thou didst receive it, why dost thou glory, as if thou hadst not received it?

Everything we possess spiritually is received from God.
Pride becomes irrational when we remember this truth.
Spiritual gifts should produce humility rather than arrogance.

The Christian has nothing that he did not receive.

C. Spiritual gifts should be developed through faithful use

1 Timothy 4:14 “Neglect not the gift that is in thee.”

2 Timothy 1:6 “Stir up the gift of God.”

Gifts are given by grace.
Gifts grow stronger through faithful service.
Gifts mature through discipline and dependence on the Spirit.

“Spiritual gifts are sovereignly given but must be diligently cultivated.” — John MacArthur

4. Spiritual Gifts Exist to Strengthen the Church

7 But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal.

A. Gifts equip believers for ministry

Ephesians 4:11–12

Christ gave leadership gifts to the church (Ephesians 4:11).
Leaders equip believers for ministry (Ephesians 4:12).
Ministry belongs to the entire church body.

B. Gifts involve every believer in the mission of the church

Christianity was never intended to be spectator faith.
Every believer contributes to the life of the church.
The church grows stronger when every member participates.

C. Gifts build up the body of Christ

Ephesians 4:12 “For the edifying of the body of Christ.”

The goal of spiritual gifts is edification.
Paul repeatedly emphasizes edification in chapter 14.
The church grows stronger when gifts strengthen others.

Examples:

1 Corinthians 14:3 — prophecy edifies believers.
1 Corinthians 14:12 — seek gifts that edify the church.
1 Corinthians 14:26 — everything must be done for edification.

5. The Holy Spirit Distributes Diverse Gifts So the Church Functions Like a Body

12 For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ.

A. Speaking gifts communicate God’s truth

Teaching instructs believers in Scripture (Romans 12:6–7).
Exhortation encourages believers to obey truth (Romans 12:8).
Wisdom and knowledge apply truth to life (1 Corinthians 12:8).
Evangelism proclaims the gospel (Ephesians 4:11).
Pastoring shepherds believers spiritually (Ephesians 4:11).

God distributes His gifts not so each person keeps them, but so all may share them.

B. Serving gifts demonstrate truth in action

Service supports practical needs (Romans 12:7).
Helps assist others in ministry (1 Corinthians 12:28).
Mercy cares for hurting people (Romans 12:8).
Giving provides resources for ministry (Romans 12:8).
Administration organizes the work of the church (1 Corinthians 12:28).
Leadership guides ministry direction (Romans 12:8).

These gifts often operate quietly but are essential.

C. Sign gifts demonstrated divine power in key moments

9 To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit; 10 To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues:

Miracles demonstrated God’s power.
Healing confirmed divine authority.
Tongues revealed supernatural communication.
Interpretation explained those messages.

Hebrews 2:3–4 “3 How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him; 4 God also bearing them witness, both with signs and wonders, and with divers miracles, and gifts of the Holy Ghost, according to his own will?”

These gifts authenticated the apostolic message.

6. Spiritual Comparison Destroys Unity

1 Corinthians 12:15–21

A. Some believers feel inferior

15 If the foot shall say, Because I am not the hand, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body?

Comparison produces discouragement.
Some believers assume their contribution does not matter.
The body suffers when members withdraw from service.

B. Some believers feel superior

21 And the eye cannot say unto the hand, I have no need of thee: nor again the head to the feet, I have no need of you.

Visible gifts attract attention.
Pride creates division.
The body suffers when members become arrogant.

C. God intentionally arranged the diversity of gifts

18 But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him.

God places each believer in the body intentionally.
Every member has a specific role.
Diversity strengthens the unity of the church.

Paul later applies this to worship order.

1 Corinthians 14:33 “God is not the author of confusion.”

1 Corinthians 14:40 “Let all things be done decently and in order.”

Corinth’s services were chaotic.
God values clarity rather than confusion.
The Spirit produces order in the gathered church.

7. Spiritual Gifts Are Given at Salvation but Discovered Through Faithful Service

A. The Spirit gives gifts when a person becomes a believer

13 For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.

11 But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will.

Gifts are given at spiritual birth.
The Spirit distributes gifts sovereignly.
Believers do not choose their gifts.

B. Gifts become visible as believers grow and serve

6 Wherefore I put thee in remembrance that thou stir up the gift of God, which is in thee by the putting on of my hands.

Timothy possessed a gift that required development.
Gifts grow stronger through faithful use.
Spiritual fruit confirms spiritual gifting.

John 15:8 “Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit.”

Spiritual gifts are discovered not primarily by analysis but by service.

C. The church helps confirm spiritual gifts

1 Timothy 4:14 “14 Neglect not the gift that is in thee, which was given thee by prophecy, with the laying on of the hands of the presbytery.” Proverbs 11:14 “14 Where no counsel is, the people fall: but in the multitude of counsellors there is safety.”

Mature believers recognize gifts in others.
Wise counsel provides clarity.
The church helps believers identify their place of service.

8. The Ultimate Issue Is Not Identifying Our Gift but Faithfully Using It

10 As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.

A. Spiritual gifts are stewardships

Gifts are entrusted responsibilities.
Gifts exist for service to others.
Faithfulness matters more than visibility.

B. Gifts must operate in love

31 But covet earnestly the best gifts: and yet shew I unto you a more excellent way.

1 Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal.

Gifts without love become noise.
Love transforms how gifts operate.
Love directs gifts toward others.

C. Love determines whether gifts build or divide the church

Gifts reveal spiritual power.
Love reveals Christlike character.
Love turns gifts into instruments of unity.

“The greatest evidence of the Spirit’s work is not extraordinary gifts but extraordinary love.” — Jonathan Edwards

Conclusion — Love Is Greater

13 And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.

Gifts matter.

But love matters more.

Love keeps gifts from becoming pride, competition, and noise.
A church full of gifts without love will fracture.
But a church full of love will use every gift God gives to build the body and glorify Christ.

When that happens, the church stops functioning like a crowd.

It becomes a body.

And through that body, the world begins to see Christ Himself.

Let Us Not Be Ignorant Concerning Spiritual Gifts