1 Corinthians 12:1

King James Version (KJV)

Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I would not have you ignorant.

Adam Clarke
Bible Commentary

Now concerning spiritual gifts - This was a subject about which they appear to have written to the apostle, and concerning which there were probably some contentions among them. The words περι των πνευματικων may as well be translated concerning spiritual persons, as spiritual gifts; and indeed the former agrees much better with the context.

I would not have you ignorant - I wish you fully to know whence all such gifts come, and for what end they are given, that each person may serve the Church in the capacity in which God has placed him, that there may be no misunderstandings and no schism in the body.

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Albert Barnes
Notes on the Whole Bible

Now concerning - it is now time that I should speak of spiritual endowments. He had no doubt been consulted in regard to them, and probably various questions had been proposed, which he now proceeded to answer.

Spiritual gifts - The word “gifts” is not in the original. The Greek refers to “spiritual” things in general, or to anything that is of a spiritual nature. The whole discussion, however, shows that he refers to the various endowments, gifts, or graces that had been bestowed in different degrees on the members of the church - including the distinctions in graces, and in degrees of office and rank, which had been made in the Christian church in general 1 Corinthians 10:1. I would not have you ignorant in regard to the nature of those endowments; the spirit with which they should be received; the rules to which they who are thus favored should be subjected; and the feelings and views which should be cherished in all the members of the church in regard to them. Nothing is of more importance in the church than the doctrine respecting the influences and endowments of the Holy Spirit.

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Matthew Henry
Concise Bible Commentary

Spiritual gifts were extraordinary powers bestowed in the first ages, to convince unbelievers, and to spread the gospel. Gifts and graces greatly differ. Both were freely given of God. But where grace is given, it is for the salvation of those who have it. Gifts are for the advantage and salvation of others; and there may be great gifts where there is no grace. The extraordinary gifts of the Holy Spirit were chiefly exercised in the public assemblies, where the Corinthians seem to have made displays of them, wanting in the spirit of piety, and of Christian love. While heathens, they had not been influenced by the Spirit of Christ. No man can call Christ Lord, with believing dependence upon him, unless that faith is wrought by the Holy Ghost. No man could believe with his heart, or prove by a miracle, that Jesus was Christ, unless by the Holy Ghost. There are various gifts, and various offices to perform, but all proceed from one God, one Lord, one Spirit; that is, from the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, the origin of all spiritual blessings. No man has them merely for himself. The more he profits others, the more will they turn to his own account. The gifts mentioned appear to mean exact understanding, and uttering the doctrines of the Christian religion; the knowledge of mysteries, and skill to give advice and counsel. Also the gift of healing the sick, the working of miracles, and to explain Scripture by a peculiar gift of the Spirit, and ability to speak and interpret languages. If we have any knowledge of the truth, or any power to make it known, we must give all the glory of God. The greater the gifts are, the more the possessor is exposed to temptations, and the larger is the measure of grace needed to keep him humble and spiritual; and he will meet with more painful experiences and humbling dispensations. We have little cause to glory in any gifts bestowed on us, or to despise those who have them not.

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SDA Bible Commentary (limited)
Volume 1-7

1. Now concerning. This chapter marks the beginning of a new subject, which continues through ch. 14. The subject is spiritual gifts, concerning which there was doubtless considerable misunderstanding. It is also clear that there was some abuse of the gifts, as well as unfortunate rivalry between possessors of various gifts.

Spiritual gifts. The word “gifts” is supplied, but correctly, as the context seems clearly to indicate. These gifts were provided for the church in a special way when Jesus ascended to heaven (Eph. 4:8, 11). They were intended to operate for the purpose of bringing the church into unity and a fit condition to meet the Lord (see Eph. 4:12-15). It would appear that the Corinthian believers has asked a question concerning the relative greatness of these gifts of the Spirit, and that some of them had been boasting that the gifts they had were greater and more important than those granted to other members (see 1 Cor. 12:18-23). Paul took the opportunity thus presented him, to give them instruction in the subject of the work of the Spirit in Christ’s mystical body, His church. The Holy Spirit of God has been in the church from the beginning (see AA 37, 53; PP 593, 594; COL 218). Hence the gifts of the Spirit were not confined to NT times. This is evident from the fact that many prophets existed in ancient times. It is God’s will and plan that His church shall be empowered by gifts till the end of time (Eph. 4:8, 11-13; AA 54, 55). The gifts are all from God; therefore there can be no possible ground for the human agent to boast over his fellows because he has been favored of Heaven as an instrument for the manifestation of the power of God in a special way for the benefit of the church as a whole (see 1 Cor. 12:11).

It should be noted that the gifts of the Spirit are not the same as the fruit of the Spirit (Gal. 5:22, 23). The former comprise endowments of divine power upon individuals in the church for the accomplishment of God’s purpose in bringing about the perfection of His church. The fruits of the Spirit are qualities of character that appear in church members who surrender themselves wholly to the guidance of the Holy Spirit and are actuated by the supreme attribute of the Spirit, which is love (see 1 Cor. 13:13; Gal. 5:22, 23; AA 388; COL 68, 69; 5T 169; 4T 355).

Ignorant. Paul was anxious that the Corinthians should be under no delusions regarding the true nature of the spiritual gifts, and the right use of these gifts in the church. The need for a clarification of this subject doubtless arose from the fact that the Corinthians had but recently separated from heathenism (see v. 2). In that state they had been without knowledge of the revelation of the true God, and of the influence of the Holy Spirit. They were thus unqualified to form correct opinions concerning these new experiences, unless they were carefully instructed and accepted that instruction without reserve. The power that once influenced them had been broken when they accepted the Saviour, and the power of God had been specially confirmed in them by the gifts of the Spirit.

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Ellen G. White
The Faith I Live By, 292.1

Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I would not have you ignorant.... The manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal. 1 Corinthians 12:1, 7. FLB 292.1

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Ellen G. White
Selected Messages Book 3, 25.1

But God has set in the church different gifts. These are all precious in their place, and all are to act a part in the perfecting of the saints. 3SM 25.1

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1 Corinthians 12:1