1 Corinthians 12

Question. But this is to pin our faith upon men? Response. We are to receive nothing for current but what is agreeable to the Word; as God has given to his ministers gifts for the interpreting obscure places, so he has given to his people so much of the Spirit of discerning, tha…

(2.) Their love is evidenced by their cost. 1 Corinthians 12:14: They lay up, and lay out for their children. They are not like the raven or ostrich (Job 39:14), which are cruel to their young.

Christ speaks not there of an attribute, but a person. And that the Godhead subsists in the person of the Holy Ghost appears thus: The Spirit, who gives diversity of gifts, is said to be the same Lord, and the same God (1 Corinthians 12:5-6). The black and unpardonable sin is sa…

4. A wonder any holds out in grace, and does not tire in his march to heaven; if you consider the difficulty of a Christian's work, he has no time to lie fallow, he is either watching or fighting; in fact, a Christian is to do those duties which to the eye of sense and reason se…

He knows all the several ranks and classes of men in the state of grace, and according to their ranks, with what sort of temptations to encounter them. For men's temptations are various and manifold (1 Peter 2:6), even as the gifts and operations of the Spirit are (1 Corinthians…

Or else 3. when this ordinance is not in the case of such sins administered, then God himself (who works without an ordinance sometimes the same effects that with it) does excommunicate men's spirits from his presence and gives them up to Satan by terrors to whip them home to hi…

Position 2. The Scripture and all the ordinances are but created things, and not the ultimate object of our faith, and highest and completest love, that is reserved to God in Jesus Christ. Indeed, the most perfect we read of, Paul a chosen vessel stood in need of comfort from Ti…

14. And he dwelt personally in the flesh and nature of all Adam's sons. So is it said (1 Corinthians 12:13), For by one Spirit we are all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free, and have been all made to drink into one Spirit [illegibl…

But beyond all these relations, the relation of Head and Members, as it is most natural, so it obliges most: No man ever yet hated his own flesh (says the Apostle) (though diseased and leprous) but loves and cherishes it. And it is the law of nature, that if one member be honore…

And yet before long God answered Stephen's prayer in converting Saul; so that let a man — a believing Christian — pray for his sinning brother, and he shall give him life. Reason 1. It is taken from the pleasure that God takes to knit the members of the body of his Son together,…

For we must eat the flesh of Christ, and drink his blood, before we can have life abiding in us (John 6:53), and our bodies are members of Christ (1 Corinthians 6:15). Again, this union is spiritual, because it is made by the bond of one spirit (1 Corinthians 12:13): by one spir…

Lastly, it is a means of unity. Read (Ephesians 4:5; 1 Corinthians 12:13). The fifth point concerns the efficacy of baptism.

One sheepfold (John 10:16). There be many members, but one body (1 Corinthians 12:12). Fourthly, hence we gather, that the Catholic Church is invisible.

Hence we learn, that the Holy Ghost is author not only of meekness, but of all sanctifying graces, and therefore is called the spirit of wisdom and understanding; the spirit of counsel and strength; the spirit of knowledge, and of the fear of the Lord (Isaiah 11:2). Secondly, th…

For in one essence of God we acknowledge three persons: but he names the Spirit, because he is the only teacher and conductor of all the Prophets. Saint Paul says, That none can say Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost: and by and by after he says, that the gifts of God are…

Which is no new thing. For when Paul speaks of that union which is between Christ and the Church, having set it forth under the similitude of a man's body, he adds, even so is Christ (1 Corinthians 12:12). And in this place the name of Christ is attributed to Israel: that is to…

But the diversity of gifts with which the Lord adorns his servants are to be observed. For all are not Sapphires or Carbuncles: the Lord distributes to every one his measure according to his own will (1 Corinthians 12:11; Ephesians 4:7, 11). From this we are also to remember, th…

Therefore after the Prophet has spoken of the Spirit of the Lord: in the second place he adds the anointing to it: thereby understanding the virtues which proceed from that spirit. To which purpose Paul says (1 Corinthians 12:4), that there are diverse gifts: but only one spirit…

As to fullness, there is no occasion for entering into the subtle disputations, or rather the trifling, of the sophists; for Scripture conveys nothing more by this word than the pre-eminent and very uncommon abundance of the gifts of the Spirit. We know, that to Christ alone the…

Christ is not truly acknowledged as a Savior, till, on the one hand, we learn to receive a free pardon of our sins, and know that we are accounted righteous before God, because we are free from guilt; and till, on the other hand, we ask from him the Spirit of righteousness and h…

It is easy to reply, that it was their own fault if they did not know; for Christ is now speaking expressly about special faith, which had its secret instincts, as the circumstances of the case required. And this is the faith of which Paul speaks, (1 Corinthians 12:9.) How then…

Let us know that the Lord does not bestow on all indiscriminately the same measure of gifts, (Ephesians 4:7,) but distributes them variously as he thinks proper, (1 Corinthians 12:11,) so that some excel others.

For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not one office, so we being many, are but one in Christ, and every one, one another's members, having gifts that are diverse, according to the grace that is given to us. And immediately after in the same chapter he ad…

General Principles Concerning the HOLY SPIRIT AND HIS WORK. CHAP. I. (1.) 1 Cor. 12. 1. opened. [[original in non-Latin script]], spiritual Gifts. Their Grant to, Use, and Abuse in that Church. (2.) Jesus, how called Anathema; impiety of the Jews.

As in the former he prepared a Natural Body for the Son of God, wherein he was to obey and suffer according to his Will, so by this latter he prepares him a Mystical Body, or members spiritually living, by uniting them to Him who is their Head and their Life, Col. 3. 4. For as t…

All which things considered, do so plainly speak the insufficiency of a mere external revelation, and the necessity of an internal besides, to that faith, which is the immediate spring of delight in God; that it is not needful to insist upon many plain texts of Scripture besides…

For the grounds hereof, I shall mention one only; which all others do lean upon. This is pressed, 1 Corinthians 12:12, 13. As the body is one, and has many members, and all the members of that one body being many, are one body, so is Christ.

And it is clear that the Spirit is here intended, because it is the Spirit's blowing that only can make the spices or graces of a believer to flow, as the wind does the seeds and flowers in a garden. Next, by north and south wind are understood the same Spirit, being conceived a…

And thus this last part qualifies the former, he is in his Church, but especially where his spices are most abounding; and therefore would you have him? seek him in his Church and among his people, and especially in such societies of his people, where true and lively believers a…

For the first, lay up such graces as will render you serviceable in your places (Romans 14:19) — Let us follow after the things that make for peace, and things with which one may edify another, such as brotherly love, or kindness, charity, meekness, forbearance, gentleness, cond…

Which was a Profession of saving Faith, as appears by what Christ says upon it. And we read, 1 Corinthians 12:3. No Man can say, that Jesus is the Lord but by the Holy Ghost.

Gifts take their leave of the soul, as Orpah did of Naomi; but grace says, then as Ruth, where you go I will go, and where you lodge I will lodge, and nothing shall separate you and me. Now [reconstructed: put] all this together and then judge whether the Apostle spoke hyperbole…

And that this is the Force of the Expression, as the Apostle John uses it in this Place, is confirmed by that other Place in the same Epistle, in the next Chapter, at the first Verse, Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ, is born of God; and every one that loveth him tha…

Secondly, it is the reproach of Christ, in regard of the near relation, and close union that is between Christ and his people: As the reproach of the Wife is the reproach of the Husband, and the reproach of the Husband is the reproach of the Wife, because of their union, and the…

The solid, wise, and judicious Christian may want that liveliness of affections, and tenderness of heart, that appears in the weak; and one that excels in gifts and utterance, may learn Humility from the very Babes in Christ. And one principal Reason of this different distributi…

Wherein their distinct witnessing consists will be declared afterward. 1 Corinthians 12:4-6: the apostle speaking of the distribution of gifts and graces to the saints ascribes them distinctly — in respect of the fountain of their communication — to the distinct persons. There a…

Second, the particular products of his actings in our souls, wherein we have communion with him. First, he is said to work effectually, 1 Corinthians 12:11: all these works that one and the same Spirit. It is spoken there in respect of his distribution of gifts, but the way is t…

A soul never glorifies or honors Christ upon a discovery or sense of the eternal redemption he has purchased for it, but it is in him a peculiar effect of the Holy Spirit as our Comforter. No man can say that Jesus is Lord but by the Holy Spirit, 1 Corinthians 12:3. 3. He sheds…

He calls men to that work, and they are separated unto him, Acts 13:2. He furnishes them with gifts and abilities for that employment, 1 Corinthians 12:7-10. So that the whole religion we profess without this administration of the Spirit is nothing; nor is there any fruit of the…

Now there are diversities of gifts but the same Spirit, and there are differences of administrations but the same Lord, and there are diversities of operations but it is the same God. 1 Corinthians 12:4, 5, 6. Oxford: Printed by A. Lichfield, Printer to the University, for Tho.…

This note of comparison (as) is not to be taken of the kind, but of the truth of these unions, our union with Christ is as true as Christ's union with his Father. So true is this union, as not only Jesus himself, but all the Saints which are members of this body together with Je…

Thus far Doctor Doddridge in a late Preface. And I think we may as well borrow the Similitude expressly from the Scripture itself, 1 Corinthians 12:14 etc. The Body is not one Member, but many.

When they shall arrive there they shall be fully one, and of one mind, not a jar nor difference, all their harps perfectly in tune to that one new Song. Having Compassion] This testifies that it is not a bare speculative agreement of opinions, that is the badge of Christian unit…

I desire none to leap over the bounds of their calling, or rules of Christian prudence in their converse, indeed, this were much to be blamed, but, I fear, lest unwary hands, throwing on water to quench that evil, let some of it fall by upon these sparks, that should be stirred…

But it is not enough to attain those splendid titles of pastors and teachers; rather, the necessary gifts from the Lord must also be added, by which they can sustain those offices and dignities whose names they bear. For this reason Paul joins both together in the twelfth chapte…

So therefore that evil spirit which tormented Saul is said to be from the Lord, and afterwards an evil spirit of the Lord — not because evil proceeds from God, but because the devils, although they contain in themselves their own malice, are nevertheless reluctantly held in such…

Paul calls Aquila and Priscilla, fellows or helpers in Christ Jesus. And Apollo, a mighty man in the Scriptures, had a great deal of help by Aquila and Priscilla (Romans 16:3; 1 Corinthians 12:21). The eye cannot say to the hand, I have no need of you; nor the head to the feet,…

Now many times God gives the end when he will deny the means. Paul had grace sufficient, though the thorn in his flesh were not removed (1 Corinthians 12:9). A Christian prays for the light of God's countenance, for sensible feeling of God's love; why?

If you must needs be coveting, laboring and carking, you are called to better things (John 6:27): Labor not for the meat which perishes, but for the meat which endures to everlasting life. Covet the best gifts (1 Corinthians 12:31). Be as passionate for grace as others are for t…

1. Fix your desires and enlarge them to the full. A carnal man may be a shame to a godly man, because he is carried out so earnestly, and with such uniform respect to earthly things (1 Corinthians 12:31). Covet earnestly the best gifts, this is a holy covetousness, and a good di…