TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 13
1 Corinthians 12:1-3
Ephesians 2:11-12

“Now concerning spiritual gifts …”

COUNTERFEIT GIFTS

Just like Christianity today, the Corinthian church was fixated with tongue-speaking and other sign gifts. Some of them were showing off their skill of speaking in tongues during the worship service, creating much chaos and confusion. Thus, the Apostle Paul had to address these abuses in 1 Corinthians 12-14.

In these chapters, Paul explained the doctrine of spiritual gifts:
• Chapter 12: The purpose of spiritual gifts
• Chapter 13: The motive of spiritual gifts
• Chapter 14: The proper use of spiritual gifts

Paul opened this discussion by pointing out that only born-again believers can have spiritual gifts (1 Cor 12:1-3). The term “spiritual gifts” (pneumatikōn) literally means “spiritual things.” The emphasis here is that these gifts are from the Holy Spirit and therefore cannot be manifested by those who are not born again. Only those who have been indwelt by the Holy Spirit (i.e. the saints) are given these gifts.

Many of the Corinthian Christians came from pagan backgrounds. They would have observed temple priests who spoke ecstatically while in a trance for their religious rituals. Thus, when people spoke in tongues in churches, some might be impressed by such utterances and be taken in by them.

However, Paul made it clear in these verses that an idolater can never have a spiritual gift even though he may appear to manifest it. One commentator rightly observed that unless the Spirit indwells the person, he can never fully abandon the idols of his life and embrace Christ as the exclusive Lord of his life. Nevertheless, he may go about in his manifestations of tongue-speaking and counterfeit gifts. The Corinthian Christians were warned not to be taken in.

THOUGHT: Beware of deception and false brethren.
PRAYER: Father, grant me discernment in this world of falsehood.