Now in regard to spiritual gifts, brothers, I do not want you to be unaware. 2 You know how, when you were pagans, you were constantly attracted and led away to mute idols. 3 Therefore, I tell you that nobody speaking by the spirit of God says, “Jesus be accursed.” And no one can say, “Jesus is Lord,” except by the holy Spirit. 4 There are different kinds of spiritual gifts but the same Spirit; 5 there are different forms of service but the same Lord; 6 there are different workings but the same God who produces all of them in everyone. 7 To each individual the manifestation of the Spirit is given for some benefit. 8 To one is given through the Spirit the expression of wisdom; to another the expression of knowledge according to the same Spirit; 9 to another faith by the same Spirit; to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit; 10 to another mighty deeds; to another prophecy; to another discernment of spirits; to another varieties of tongues; to another interpretation of tongues. 11 But one and the same Spirit produces all of these, distributing them individually to each person as he wishes.
The Corinthians had written to Paul for advice on certain matters (1 Cor. 7:1) and in this passage Paul addressed the topic of spiritual gifts. He wanted to provide the newly converted Corinthians with information so that they would be aware (1 Cor. 10:1) of the manifestation of the Spirit and urged them not to act as they did when they worshipped idols. They would sometimes go into trances when they worshipped idols that could neither see nor speak (Ps. 115:5). No one who is in the Spirit can say “Jesus be accursed,” but those who are truly moved by the spirit of God acknowledge the resurrection of Jesus and confesses that he is Lord.
The diversity of spiritual gifts (charismata) has God as their origin and their common purpose is to serve God for the benefit of believers (vv. 6-7). Therefore, the Corinthians should focus on the gifts and the giver, and not the physical expression of the gifts that result from the manifestation of the Spirit. Gifts were given to each individual in the Corinthian community so no one was excluded.
Paul outlined some of the diverse gifts and some of their functions but did not attempt to give an exhaustive list of spiritual gifts and their every purpose. The gifts include wisdom, knowledge, faith, healing, miraculous powers, prophecy, discernment, speaking in different kinds of tongues, and interpreting those tongues. Since the Holy Spirit gives the gifts and causes the gifts to work, no one should be puffed up about any spiritual gift they receive. The same Spirit is the source of all the different gifts, and the gifts are given to every one according to God’s will (v. 11).
Almighty God, you bestow spiritual gifts upon those who truly believe in your beloved Son for the benefit of the worshipping community. Help us to embrace your gifts with humility and to use them selflessly for the good of the Body of Christ. This we pray through Christ our Lord. Amen!
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References
Chiu, José Enrique Aguilar, et al. The Paulist Biblical Commentary. Paulist Press, 2018.
Brown, Raymond Edward, et al. The New Jerome Biblical Commentary. Upper Saddle River, NJ, United States, Prentice Hall, 1990.
Chiu, José Enrique Aguilar, et al. The Paulist Biblical Commentary. Paulist Press, 2018.
Brown, Raymond Edward, et al. The New Jerome Biblical Commentary. Upper Saddle River, NJ, United States, Prentice Hall, 1990.
Orchard, Bernard, et al. A Catholic Commentary on Holy Scripture. Feb. 1953.
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