Deep Dive

I Corinthians 12:4

A plain-spoken deep dive on this verse. Read the chapter →

There are different gifts, but the same Spirit.

Commentaries

Excerpts gathered from published commentaries to ground the reading.

Jamieson-Fausset-Brownv. 4

diversities of gifts--that is, varieties of spiritual endowments peculiar to the several members of the Church: compare "dividing to every man severally" (Co1 12:11). same Spirit--The Holy Trinity appears here: the Holy Spirit in this verse; Christ in Co1 12:5; and the Father in Co1 12:6. The terms "gifts," "administrations," and "operations," respectively correspond to the Divine Three. The Spirit is treated of in Co1 12:7, &c.; the Lord, in Co1 12:12, &c.; God, in Co1 12:28. (Compare Eph 4:4-6).

Open source ↗
Matthew Henry Bible Commentaryv. 4

In this chapter the apostle, I. Considers the case of spiritual gifts, which were very plentifully poured out on the Corinthian church. He considers their original, that they are from God; their variety and use, that they were all intended for one and the same general end, the advancement of Christianity and the church's edification (Co1 12:1-11). II. He illustrates this by an allusion to a human body, in which all the members have a mutual relation and subserviency, and each has its proper place and use (Co1 12:12-26). III. He tells us that the church is the body of Christ, and the members are variously gifted for the benefit of the whole body, and each particular member (Co1 12:27-30). And them, IV. Closes with an exhortation to seek somewhat more beneficial than these gifts (Co1 12:31).

Open source ↗
Tyndale Open Study Notesv. 4

12:4-11 Though believers are united in the Lord and his Spirit, God gives different kinds of spiritual gifts to different people so that they can fulfill different kinds of service to the same Lord (see also 7:7; 12:7-11, 28-31; Rom 12:6-8; Eph 4:11).

Open source ↗

Your reflection