v1-2: Another area of problems and ignorance in Corinth. We need to be taught about all aspects of spiritual truth, that we might demonstrate a spiritual and balanced understanding of the truth as it is in Jesus.

The Corinthians were converted from idolatry; they were carried away, out of control, in idol worship, in sexual promiscuity and immorality, in ecstatic experience; the power of Satan was working all manner of ungodliness in them.

v3: A Christian is changed, different. The old ways of behaviour are past. It seems that some, in their exuberance for spiritual gifts, fell into their old ways, and some called Jesus 'accursed'. Paul provides the first test for the use of spiritual gifts, that Jesus Christ be honoured. This is consistent with Jesus' own words in John 16.11 of the Holy Spirit, "He will glorify me". The Holy Spirit gives gifts to the church so that Jesus Christ is honoured in the church. Paul's burden is to provide a spiritual framework for serving God in real power and truth; the gifts are part of our life in the church of Jesus Christ.

v4-6: The gifts are from God; Father Son and Holy Spirit working in unison; different gifts, ministries, activities, a variety, not uniformity. God gives gifts so that His purposes might be fulfilled. The emphasis here is that the Holy Spirit gives gifts (v7-11).

God gives to "all kinds of men" (v6 literally); God is not limited by human limitations, education, class, eloquence, etc. He is at work in us, and expects us to respond in serving Him.

v7: Gifts are given to each one, none is excluded.

Gifts are given for the profit of all, for the common good, for the blessing of others, not for selfishness or self-promotion.

Gifts are given as the Spirit wills. Some pursue a particular gift for themselves. A church should of course seek the "greater gifts" (v31).

The manifestation of the Spirit is something revealed, made visible, something that shines, i.e: that has a reflection of the person of Christ.

We are not to despise another who has a different gift, nor to despise ourselves because we lack a particular gift.

Gifts are given to enable us to serve God; they are one aspect of our relationship with Christ; therefore they are not to be exalted as if nothing else mattered, nor dismissed as being without value.

Certain gifts may be given at a specific time for a specific purpose; incidents of tongues in Acts 10 and 19 may be understood in this way.

v8-10: Different gifts named, although not defined. There is variety here, and it seems that the list is not exhaustive.

v11: Gifts are part of God's generosity to His people; He gives sufficiently for our needs, and He gives generously. But the same Spirit gives all these things, for the same overall purpose.

v12-14: Unity on the body of Christ. Paul's discussion about gifts is linked strongly with the issue of unity. It seems that in Corinth, gifts had become a source of division. There was schism and pride, see 1.10-16; 11.17-22. The Jewish desire for signs (1.22) was reflected in the Corinthians' desire for the ecstatic and the miraculous. We note that the desire for signs, and even the presence of signs, does not necessarily guarantee obedience, see Neh 9.10,16-17. Where God shows His power and grace through signs and wonders, our response must be in worship, adoration, obedience, and service.

Paul uses the phrase, "one body" (v12, 13), and "the body is one" (v12); this refers to the local church, and describes the unity that ought to be expected and experienced. The use of the gifts must be consistent with this unity, see Eph 4.3-5. There is also diversity in the body, "many members", and this too is essential. Each one has a place, and each one has a part to play.

The common experience; all have been baptised into one body. Acts 1.5 indicates that this baptism occurred at Pentecost; each new believer shares in the baptism. Human distinctions are rendered meaningless, Gal 3.28, for within the one body we see the diversity of gift and ability, of character, role, and office. God has made us individuals, totally unique, and we must express that uniqueness in Christ; John 10.3, 14, He treats us as individuals, but Christ is one (1.12-13).

v15-19: The problem of putting oneself down, thinking we have no place. Paul deals with those who say, "I do not belong to the body".

v15-16: Some put themselves down, or feel put down by others, and consider themselves useless. They may compare themselves against others, and feel inferior. Also, where a church exalts those with a particular gift, others not having that gift may feel put down.

Each one does have a part; the foot and the ear remain part of the body.

v17: The situation where all are the same, or all have the same gift; in the illustration of the human body, that would be ridiculous and useless, for the body needs all its members. The church similarly cannot be made up of identical members.

v18: God has set us in the places we are in; He has designed the body, which is fearfully and wonderfully made; He has also designed the church, just as He pleased.

Each one has his or her place to be, and a part to play. This gives to us dignity and honour and purpose. Diversity is therefore part of God's design.

v19-20: Summarising the argument from v14; we are not all the same, but we are many and different, and part of one body.

v21-25: The problem of putting others down, thinking they have no place. Paul deals with those who say, "I don't need you!"

v22: Those despised by others are "indispensable". The 'needy' are actually the needed!

v23: Paul speaks of greater honour and greater modesty; some parts may be covered, or unseen, or private; they are no less important.

v24: God has composed the body; Gk SUNKERANNUMI, meaning to temper/blend together for a specific purpose; used also in Heb 4.2, "mixed"; similar word used in Rev 14.10; 18.6, about mixing wine; and Mark 15.23, mingled with myrrh.

v25: The purpose of our godly attitudes, that there should be no schism, and that there should be care for one another.

v26: We suffer and rejoice together, sharing each others' sorrows and joys.

v27: Paul draws the illustration of the body to a close, repeating the statement that each one is part of the one body, being the body of Christ, as in v12, 20.

v28: In the church there are a variety of gifts, involving leadership, service, etc.

v29-30: Paul's rhetorical questions are answered "no"; not all are apostles, not all are prophets, not all speak with tongues, etc.

v31: The command for the church is to seek the greater gifts, that the church might be adequately equipped to fulfil its purpose.

In addressing the issue of spiritual gifts, Paul inserts a section dealing with love, the "most excellent way". We may seek to be spiritual in using gifts, but true spirituality has to have love. Love is indispensable (1 John 4.8) and, whilst gifts may be abused and counterfeited (v2), love is an indisputable mark of the presence of God. The phrase translated "most excellent way", or 'beyond measure' is found in Rom 7.13; 2 Cor 1.8; Gal 1.13.