The Unifying Function of the One Spirit

This is the Bible study page for the Thursday Night Study Group meeting September 25 to study 1 Corinthians 12.  We've finally reached that portion of 1 Corinthians that inspired our choice of this letter.  We're now exploring the gifts given by the Holy Spirit.  This chapter introduces this topic, but it's clear from Paul's position, this is really just leading into something else, supporting arguments he's going to use later.  We already know what's in chapter 13 (but we'll still spend some time there), and I believe we wrap up this discussion in chapter 14.  So, perhaps the more distilled discussion will be in chapter 14.

In any case, this chapter provides the ground work for any discussion of spiritual gifts, or as Paul puts it in verse 1, 'spiritual stuff'.  Read through 12, 13, and 14 together, then go back and focus on 12.  Read through it a few times jotting down questions and observations.  Try and use different translations, noting any differences you find.  There shouldn't be many differences between translations, but there are some.

After having gone through a few times, go back through using the questions below:

• What do you think it means that Paul doesn't want the Corinthians to be 'unaware' of spiritual gifts?
• Why do you think Paul would bring up, at the outset, that they had been 'pagans'?
• In verse 3 Paul makes a statement about confessing Jesus as Lord or cursing him.  Why do you think this distinction is at the very beginning?  What 'problem' or 'view' do you think it addresses?
• Why do you think would Paul point to both 'gifts' and 'ministries'?  What's the difference in his statements?
• Verse 6 is one of the places where versions differ in wording.  Look up 'effects'/'working'/'activities'/'operations' here.  The verb used for God's action is related.  Look it up here. It's the Greek word from which we get 'energy'.  It's a common Greek word for any sort of 'activity' in which someone might be engaged.  While some of its derivatives are divine references, this one is not exclusively 'divine'.  What do you think that means for Paul's discussion here?  Why do you think He chose this wording?
• Verses 4 through 11 really form one point.  What do you think is Paul's point? 
• It would be a good idea to look up each gift/ministry listed in 8 through 10, but not necessary.  I think it's more interesting to note the 'pairs'; why Paul one with the other.  Some are obviously related, but what do you think about pairing 'faith' and 'healing' or the 'triplet' 'miracles', 'prophecy', and 'distinguishing spirits'?  Why put these together?
• In verses 12 through 26 is Paul's famous metaphor of the body for describing the church as the body of Christ.  His argument is actually supposed to be funny.  Instead of 'members' as most translations read, try 'part' (like the NIV) or even 'limb'.  Read through substituting 'part' or 'limb' in each place where it might say 'member'.  What difference does that make in your understanding or view of Paul's statements?
• Obviously Paul is referring to the church as made up of different parts or 'limbs' distinguished by ministry and gifts.  But what application do you think would be appropriate for his discussion of those body parts we consider 'weaker' or 'less presentable' in verses 23 through 25?  How does this apply to our church?
• Do you think that verse 28 'prioritizes' gifts or lists them 'chronologically' or what?
• Paul applies his previous arguments in verses 29 and 30, and it's not surprising, but what do you think about the first statement in verse 31?  Was that surprising?  How do you think we 'desire' the 'greater' gifts?  And what do you think that means for my question about verse 28?

The last statement in this chapter really belongs to chapter 13, and we'll include it in that discussion, hopefully next week.  This should be plenty to keep us busy this week.