“Love is not one gift among many. It is the means through which all of the gifts reach their ultimate purpose.”—Carl P. Cosaert, “1 Corinthians,” Andrews Bible Commentary: New Testament (Berrien Springs, MI: Andrews University Press, 2022), p. 1643.

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1 Corinthians 13:1-13 teaches that only through love can the spiritual gifts be used appropriately. Paul begins 1 Corinthians 13:1-13 by alluding to gifts mentioned in 1 Corinthians 12:1-31, only to stress their lack of value if not driven by love. Thus, knowledge (1 Corinthians 12:8) and faith (1 Corinthians 12:9), even a faith “so as to remove mountains” (1 Corinthians 13:2, ESV), are nothing without love (1 Corinthians 13:2). Without love, the ability to speak in tongues (1 Corinthians 12:10,28,30) is reduced merely to “a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal” (1 Corinthians 13:1, NIV). Likewise, even the important gift of prophecy is nothing without love (1 Corinthians 13:2).

In 1 Corinthians 13:4-7, Paul focuses on what love is and what it is not; more particularly, what love does and what it does not do. The verbs he chose to characterize love indicate love is not so much something we feel as it is something that we practice. Thus, Paul mentions that love (1) shows patience; (2) shows kindness; (3) rejoices in the truth; (4) bears all things; (5) believes all things; (6) hopes all things; and (7) endures all things. Conversely, love (1) does not envy; (2) does not boast; (3) does not inflate with arrogance; (4) does not behave rudely; (5) does not seek its own [rights]; (6) does not get easily irritated; (7) does not keep record of wrongs; and (8) does not delight in wrongdoing.

This total of 15 verbs provides solid guidance for appropriate behavior in the practice of gifts. Notably, this discussion on the true nature of love lies precisely between 1 Corinthians 12:1-31 and 14, where Paul deals with the conflict regarding spiritual gifts. Indeed, love is the key to the wise use of spiritual gifts. Love is also placed side by side with faith and hope, “but the greatest of these is love” (1 Corinthians 13:13, NKJV).

<–Monday Wednesday–>

Now in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplying, there arose a complaint against the Hebrews by the Hellenists, because their widows were neglected in the daily distribution. Then the twelve summoned the multitude of the disciples and said, “We shouldn’t leave the word of God and serve tables. Therefore, brethren, seek out from among you seven men of good reputation, full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business. Still, we will give ourselves continually to prayer and to the ministry of the word.” Acts 6:1-4 NKJV

Hence the office of deacons came into the church. Like the elders, the deacons were to be men full of the Holy Spirit. They are not less than elders, but their duties are not the same. Yes, Steven preached in Acts 7, and Philip baptized in Acts 8. Every office in the church bears equal responsibility for sharing the gospel. But deacons and deaconesses are also given responsibilities of caring for the physical upkeep and maintenance of the church, and even caring for the physical needs of the members. This frees the elders from “waiting on tables” so they can be spreading the gospel.

That evening that the water pipe burst, the deacon told the elder that a real leader should never ask anyone to do a job he would not be willing to do himself. He then handed him a bucket, insinuating that he should get to work, show a little humility, and lead by example. There was only one problem. The elder had appointments with several candidates for the baptisms the next couple of nights. They were waiting for him right then, and they worked the next day before the baptism the following night.

It wasn’t that the elder thought he was important. It wasn’t even necessarily that he thought clearing people for baptism was more important than fixing a water break. Obviously the water break had to be fixed to have the baptisms! Both the deacon’s job and the elder’s job were equally important but not the same. In 1 Corinthians 12, Paul discusses the various gifts and ministries in the church. He talks about how the foot and hand are both needed. However, while the foot is equal to the hand, the foot is still not the hand. While being equal, they are not the same. Each has its own distinct purpose.

Deacons are to be filled with the Holy Spirit and able to preach. And elders have gladly taken up the offering and locked up the church after a meeting, taken out the trash, so long as they can still accomplish their gospel responsibilities. 1 Corinthians 12 tells us one ministry is not superior to another, while Acts 6 tells us our offices are not the same.

The language of oneness introduced in 1 Corinthians 12:4-6 (“the same Spirit,” “the same Lord,” and “the same God”) is developed in the rest of 1 Corinthians 12:1-31. This is evidenced by Paul’s use of phrases such as “one and the same Spirit” (1 Corinthians 12:11, NKJV), “the body is one” (1 Corinthians 12:12), “one body” (1 Corinthians 12:12-13,20), “one Spirit” (1 Corinthians 12:13 [two times]), and “the same care for one another” (1 Corinthians 12:25, NKJV).

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Alongside the concept of unity, Paul highlights the diversity of members in the body of Christ through such expressions as “many members” (1 Corinthians 12:12,20), “we were all baptized” (1 Corinthians 12:13, NKJV), “not one member but many” (1 Corinthians 12:14, NKJV), “the whole body” (1 Corinthians 12:17), “each one of them” (1 Corinthians 12:18, NKJV), “members of the body” (1 Corinthians 12:22-23), and “all the members” (1 Corinthians 12:26). This emphasis on both unity and diversity indicates that spiritual gifts aim to promote unity through diversity.

This unity amid diversity must reflect the character of God. The Father is one person, the Son is another person, and the Holy Spirit another. The three maintain Their individualities while working together to edify the church and empower it for mission (1 Corinthians 12:4-6, Ephesians 4:11-13).

One central thought in 1 Corinthians 12:1-31 is that although the body’s members are individually so different from one another (1 Corinthians 12:15-20), they are all dependent on each other (1 Corinthians 12:21-26). The feet depend on the eyes to see where they must walk; in turn, the eyes can’t touch anything—only the hands can. Also, the idea that some members are weaker (1 Corinthians 12:22) or less honorable (1 Corinthians 12:23) than others is only an impression, for all are necessary (1 Corinthians 12:22).

Unfortunately, there was a tendency among the Corinthians to value some gifts to the neglect of others. To rectify the Corinthians from making this mistake, Paul called their attention to love, which is “a more excellent way” (1 Corinthians 12:31, NKJV). In other words, no matter what the gift is, if practiced wisely and with love, it is pleasant to God.

<–Sunday Tuesday–>

In 1 Corinthians 12:1, Paul introduces a new topic with the formula “now concerning.” Scholars discuss whether he is talking about “spiritual gifts” or “spiritual people” because the Greek phrase tōn pneumatikōn allows both interpretations. “Spiritual gifts” is preferable in light of 1 Corinthians 12:4, where Paul clearly refers to spiritual gifts. In 1 Corinthians 12:2-3, Paul points out that the Spirit’s first gift is the bold confession that Jesus is Lord. In New Testament times, to say that Jesus is Lord is to say that Caesar is not (Acts 17:7; also John 19:12,15). This was seen as sedition against the imperial power and, hence, was punishable by death.

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Jesus and Paul emphasized that faith in God—even in the face of persecution and the threat of death—is a gift of the Spirit. Actually, faith is the most basic gift. Not surprisingly, faith is first on the list in 1 Corinthians 13:13. That faith is a spiritual gift is clear by Paul’s statement in 1 Corinthians 12:9. However, there are many other gifts. The fact that the Holy Spirit distributes the different types of gifts “to each one individually as He wills” (1 Corinthians 12:11, NKJV) proves that all of them are necessary.

The repetition of “varieties” emphasizes the multiplicity of gifts. What Paul names as “spiritual gifts” in 1 Corinthians 12:1 is developed in verses 4–6, through three different angles: “gifts” (charisma), “services” or “ministries” (diakonia), and “activities” (energēma). Although these words mean different things, it is important not to draw a fine distinction between them because of the parallelism of the passage. One should also notice that the spiritual gifts are designed to promote unity based on the triune character of God (see also Ephesians 4:8-11). While the Spirit grants gifts to believers, it is God who empowers them to serve Christ in the community of believers (1 Corinthians 12:5-6). Each believer is granted gifts individually (1 Corinthians 12:11), but they all are to benefit the community of believers as a whole.

<–Sabbath Monday–>

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Read for This Week’s Study

1 Corinthians 12:1-31, Ephesians 4:11-13, 1 Corinthians 13:1-13, 1 Peter 4:8-11, 1 Corinthians 14:27, Amos 3:7.

Memory Text:

“Pursue love, and earnestly desire the spiritual gifts, especially that you may prophesy” (1 Corinthians 14:1, ESV).

Like a human body, the church is one but has many members, each with different roles, functions, and gifts. Practiced with love, these spiritual gifts promote a sense of unity that reflects the character of the triune God.

This week we will survey 1 Corinthians 12:1-31; 1 Corinthians 13:1-13; 1 Corinthians 14:1-40 and its teaching on spiritual gifts. This section is part of a slightly larger unit, where Paul deals with the expected Christian behavior in religious settings (1 Corinthians 11:1-34; 1 Corinthians 12:1-31; 1 Corinthians 13:1-13; 1 Corinthians 14:1-40). Paul’s primary concern has to do with the problem of disorderly gatherings. His answer to this problem is that the church is a body whose parts have different functions that contribute to “the edifying of the body of Christ” (Ephesians 4:12, NKJV). In short, God gave the church spiritual gifts in order to promote unity through diversity.

Certainly, Paul still has in mind the factionalism problem addressed in the first four chapters of 1 Corinthians, where the answer to the lack of agreement among church members is unity in Christ. Now, he develops that idea by presenting his understanding of the role of spiritual gifts. According to Paul, unity in Christ and the Spirit is the only means of avoiding schisms.

*Study this week’s lesson to prepare for Sabbath, August 8.

Sunday–>

By Michael W. Campbell

Ovid Elbert Davis was born in Michigan on April 3, 1868. In 1902, he was inspired by Ellen White’s counsel to become a missionary, so he completed a ministerial course and accepted a call to work among the indigenous peoples of Alaska and then British Columbia.

On January 19, 1906, the General Conference voted to send Davis to British Guiana (Guiana), where the Adventist work recently had been started. He married Carrie Rosley in April, and the couple went to their new mission field the following month.

Davis distributed literature during his first two years in British Guiana. Then, in 1910, he reported organizing a new church 160 miles up the Barama River. It would become the Rio Paruime Mission. It was also in 1910 that Davis received a request from tribes deep in the interior that had never been visited by white men, asking to be taught the message of salvation.

These tribes had learned about the Adventist work by contact with indigenous people at the mission at Tapagruma Creek. There were reports that an old chief had been visited by a “shining being” who taught them about Creation, the entrance of sin, the story of the promised Redeemer, and Christ’s second coming. He also showed them how to worship on the seventh-day Sabbath and live a healthful life. He told him that a man with a black book would come and teach them more.

The journey took Davis two months. In one report, he stated that he had traveled 29 days by boat and an additional 10 days through dense forest.

Davis taught the Word of God to the forest tribes with his “black book” and reported the establishment of three mission bases among them. He noted that 187 people “took their stand to keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus.” He built three church buildings and began to instruct the new believers “on the points of our faith.” He also taught them to sing a song in English, “There’s Not a Friend Like the Lowly Jesus.”

Davis returned for a second visit in 1911. He complained about a fever and heart problems just before departure. The last entry in his diary that he was able to write in his own handwriting was “Monday, July 17—The day was spent in further instruction and naming the people.” Naming people referenced the desire of new converts for a new name representative of their resolve to follow the Christian’s God and learn His ways.

This story was adapted from Michael Campbell’s biographical article in the online Encyclopedia of Seventh-day Adventists. We invite you to visit encyclopedia.adventist.org to enjoy more stories about Adventist missionaries. Read the rest of this story next week.