“To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good” (Vs. 7) Paul knew that the people within the church at Corinth were a diverse bunch. There were people from all walks of life, cultural, ethnic and spiritual backgrounds. All of them had been drawn together into a worshipping community, all of them had gifts of the Holy Spirit. All of them had a gift to bring to the service of God and for use in the community. What troubled Paul was that some began to think that their gifts were better, or worse than others and this inequality began to cause divisions. Gifts of the Holy Spirit are not the result of study and human effort, but are just that, gifts, given by God for the people of God. All are equal in service to the people of God. They all have a specific purpose to serve God and the gathered community. There is a great message of equality in Paul’s letters, one that is said within the context of gifts from God, bestowed upon the people of God. As all are equal, all must be treated as though they are. For it is the Spirit of the one God that allows us to know that “no one can say “Jesus is Lord” except by the Holy Spirit” (Vs 3b).
1 Corinthians 12:1-11
