Michael's Abbey Bible Study - 1 Corinthians Chapter 12

Chapters 12-14 of this letter are about the Spirit working in the church. This was an area in the Corinthian church where there was a lot of error and misunderstanding. Sadly, western churches are as bad or worse today, repeating these same errors and adding new false teachings on top of it. It is not one particular denomination or tradition that does this. Almost all do in some way. Paul's 1st Epistle to the Corinthians could easily be retitled Paul's 1st Epistle to the American and European churches.
There is correction for almost every denomination, tradition and individual Christian in these chapters, especially the ones claiming to live by them better than others. The question we should ask ourselves is if we will accept what the Holy Spirit is telling us in scripture, or will we hold onto the traditions of man in rebellion against God? It's one thing fail to read what the text is actually saying because of the influence of the false doctrines in the churches we grew up in. But it's crazy to reject the truth in scripture when we see it. As for me, I choose the word of God over the words of man.
There are those who will say I'm being too harsh in my correction. First, it's not my correction. It's the correction of the Holy Spirit He put in scripture. Second, if anything I am tossing softballs. People are utterly deluded when it comes to sin and God. Our sin is far, far worse than we can even imagine. And the sin of trying to replace God's word with our own words is so heinous it is beyond description. It is to try to take God's place, which is the sin of Lucifer. When parts of this chapter make you angry, stop and think about it. Who's side does that put us on if we are angry at what is in God's word?
1 Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I do not want you to be unaware. "Gifts" is not in the original Greek text. Paul used pneumatikos here, Greek for spiritual. It is later in verse 4 he used charismata, Greek for gifts, to specifically address the gifts of the spirit. Thus considering the usage in chapters 2 and 3, as well as verse 6 in this chapter it is more likely that Paul meant to convey chapters 12-14 are about spiritual things in general and not only gifts of the Spirit.
The second part of the verse indicates that this is not a new subject, but is intended as a corrective instruction to things he has learned about what is going on in Corinth.
2 You know that when you were pagans, you were led astray to the mute idols, however you were led. Corinth was filled with temples where worship was focused on idols that did nothing. The temple priests and attendants were the ones speaking, falsely claiming the words were from the idol. And they would falsely claim that it was the actions of the idol that caused good things to happen. No matter what led the Corinthians to idol worship, the object of their worship was a lump of stone or wood that actually did nothing. And they were fooled by people claiming false things. This is a warning not to blindly accept the words of someone who claims to have a spiritual utterance. Test all things to be sure they are really from the Holy Spirit and not a false spirit.
3 Therefore I make known to you that no one speaking by the Spirit of God says, "Jesus is accursed"; and no one can say, "Jesus is Lord," except by the Holy Spirit. It is not that Corinthians were claiming to be speaking in the Spirit and actually said "Jesus is accursed". Paul was using hyperbole to illustrate that claiming to be speaking in the Spirit is not evidence of it. Pharaoh's pagan magicians turned their staffs into snakes just like Aaron's staff. Not even spiritual activity is proof of being from the Holy Spirit.
In essence, Paul is saying don't be a sucker for anyone claiming to be in the Spirit, but check it against common sense and against scripture. Anyone who contradicts scripture is speaking by a spirit other than the Holy Spirit. Scripture is from the Holy Spirit, and God does not contradict Himself.
Although God is also mentioned in verses 4-11, this is the only place in scripture where charisma, Greek for gifts, are associated specifically with the Spirit. Elsewhere, spiritual gifts are always connected to God, not just the Spirit.
4 Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit. 5 And there are varieties of ministries, and the same Lord. 6 There are varieties of effects, but the same God who works all things in all persons. While Paul was not writing specifically about the trinity, these verses support the trinitarian theology as Paul used the common references for all three persons. Each verse mentions one aspect of Christian life in the church with a different person of the trinity. Verse 4 has different gifts, charismaton from charisma in Greek, paired with the same Spirit. Verse 5 has different ministries, diakonion from diakonia in Greek, paired with the same Lord, meaning Jesus. And verse 6 has different effects, energematon from energema in Greek, paired with God meaning the Father. Energema would be better translated as different activities done according to individual talents, although that would not be as concise. Put simply, this is people using the gifts they were given at birth to do things as Christians and for the church. In other words, there are a variety of gifts, ministries and talents. But all are given by God. We shouldn't make too much of the pairings. There is only one God even if in three persons. Also, scripture is clear that all things were created through the Son. Therefore, all talents were created by the Son as each of us was created by Him, while talents are paired with the Father in this passage. Thus the pairings are not significant. It is most likely that these parings were a poetic way of illustrating the full nature of the church by pairing it with the full nature of God. A church is not just gifts. It is not just ministries. It is not just talents. It requires all three.
What is explicit in these verses is that there are a variety within each category listed. Implied is no one has all of them in any category, and there is not one that given to all Christians. And also implied is that only by operating together that we have access to everything we need to be successful Christians. And this is one of the reasons we are to operate as a community.
One of the most common errors Christians make is to expect others to be like themselves. In this error they think that those who don't have their gift, ministry, or work and talent are not fully Christian, not properly following Christ, or haven't been baptized in the Spirit. "You must look like me" is the sentiment. That is an error contradicted by this passage and others.
One brother was talented and gifted as a reaper, harvesting and bringing people into the church. And he would criticize others in our small group for not doing what he was doing. However, he was ignoring all the work that went into planting and watering that prepared each person to be harvested. Sometimes this is the work of decades. But more important, he was ignoring that not everyone had his talents and gifting, and most don't have that ability.
7 But to each one is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. This does not say every Christian is given a "gift" of the Spirit. It also doesn't say they don't. Paul wrote that each are given a phanerosis, which is Greek for a disclosure or manifestation of the Spirit. This may be a ministry or something like a work they are led to do, like being a comforter or encourager, or visiting and witnessing to prisoners like Jimmie Bratcher. It may be that a Christian received no gift of the Spirit, but their God-given talents are enough for the tasks God has for them.
There is a huge, foot-stomping qualifier here. The gifts, ministries and operations from God are for the common good. These are for building up the whole community of the church. When someone uses their gift of the Spirit in a way that is primarily for their own benefit, that person has slipped into error and very likely into sin. This happens way too often. A person speaking in tongues without an interpreter is a good example of this.
8 For to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, and to another the word of knowledge according to the same Spirit; In verses 8-10 Paul hammered home the diversity of the manifestations of the Spirit. Paul was not writing a listing of every gift of the Spirit that exists. He was emphasizing the diversity of how the Spirit works in the church, giving different gifts to different Christians as He wills. One commonality in this list is that these are the more visible manifestations of the Spirit.
The gift of the word of wisdom is not mentioned elsewhere in scripture. This gift gives a person the ability to speak wisdom into other's lives. It often is warnings against putting oneself into temptation or harm. But it can be about decision making, difficult scriptures, walking as a Christian in a secular world, and words of encouragement. When this is real it is in harmony with scripture.
The gift of knowledge is not clearly defined in scripture. It certainly includes people having knowledge by divine means they could not have had in the natural. An example is the writers of scripture being given divine knowledge of events they didn't see with their own eyes, and the inner motivations of people which no human can know without divine revelation. This almost certainly includes a divine gift of having knowledge at hand for many applications. We've all experienced someone who seemed to always have the knowledge needed when someone has a problem. This is the opposite of a know-it-all that comments on everything. It is knowledge humbly presented when needed. Sadly, it is rejected far more than it is accepted, which almost always brings grief to the one who didn't listen.
9 to another faith by the same Spirit, and to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit, Faith as a gift is not the faith by which we are saved. That faith is something all Christians have. And while the faith of salvation is the Spirit working in us, it is not a gift. The gift is a supernatural faith that can endure terrible hardship, big doubts, and the attacks of wolves in sheep's clothing in the church.
Healing is a gift given to the one through whom the healing occurs, not to the one healed. What is notable is healing is listed as gifts plural, while all the others in this list are singular. Clearly there is a difference between healing and the other gifts. And it is almost certain the difference is that each healing a person performs is a separate gift from other healings the person performed. The Spirit chooses to work through a particular person for healing, but the Spirit gifts them each time they are able to heal, not a blanket single gifting. This is consistent with Paul not being able to be healed of the thorn in his flesh, and the other scriptural accounts where people were not healed.
Some try to come up with false explanations for Paul's thorn in his flesh like it wasn't a physical ailment despite the language being clear. This is to support the false teaching that healing always occurs for Christians. However, Paul instructing Timothy to mix wine with his water for his stomach is absolutely clear that Timothy had a physical ailment that was not miraculously healed. If these false teachers were correct Paul would have advised Timothy to correct his faith or behavior to get healed instead of treat the problem himself.
10 and to another the effecting of miracles, and to another prophecy, and to another the distinguishing of spirits, to another various kinds of tongues, and to another the interpretation of tongues. Miracles is a manifestation of supernatural events. The person doing the miracle is able to operate outside the observed natural order of the world. However, it never violates God's moral nature.
Prophecy is sharing a word from God. In scripture this is usually a proclamation of judgement or salvation. While it can have an element of revealing the future, that is not present in most instances. What makes it prophecy is that it is communication from the Lord to another person or persons. There are a few requirements that must be met for prophecy to be valid. First, prophets are understood by those spoken to. They may not understand the full meaning of the prophecy, but it is in language that can be understood. Second, prophecy always aligns with scripture. It cannot contradict scripture as scripture is the word of the Lord as well, and God does not contradict Himself. Third, prophecy is for the edification of the people. This is never a frenzy, manic, or a lack of external control incident. Prophets are always in control of themselves, as is shown in 1 Corinthians 14:29-33. Fourth, we do not blindly accept the word of a prophet. In a corporate gathering, (a group,) prophecy requires those with great knowledge of scripture and full of wisdom to be in judgement of the one prophesying as they are prophesying. Unfortunately, this scriptural requirement is rarely followed today. And even when it is done the criteria is often something bogus like "it has to be positive." On the contrary, most of the recorded prophesies in scripture were calling out sin and warnings of coming condemnation. Another modern failing is those in charge tolerate what is clearly fake and no different from the cold reading frauds in a carnival side show or "psychic". Fifth, if someone gives a false prophesy we are not to pay attention to them ever again. I repeat, one strike and you're out. Prophesy is no joke. Someone claiming to have a prophesy is claiming to speak for God. To put one's own words in the mouth of God is a terrible blasphemy. It is literally lying about God. Worse, it is to take God's role and to make oneself to be God. To call it blasphemy is an understatement. Even worse than that, fake churches actually teach people to make things up in their imagination and call that prophecy. I wouldn't want to be in those leader's shoes on Judgment day. Those who fake it should never be allowed to prophesy again. The penalty is death in Deuteronomy 18:20-22. And Romans 16:17-18 warns us to turn away from such people. This is deadly serious.
Distinguishing between spirits is the ability to discern, (weigh carefully,) and judge rightly what is said. It is also the testing the spirits to discern what is from God as in 1 John 4:1. That this is listed right between prophesy and tongues is no accident. This is the most despised gift because it results in calling out wolves in sheep's clothing. I get it, no one likes criticism. But criticism is necessary to the health of the church. Those who try to shield themselves from it are putting themselves outside the real church and replacing it with a false church. They often do this by making fun of or falsely redefining discernment to be something that can't touch them. This is a sign of a fake church. These leaders know they are in the wrong and are deliberately misleading people. A sure sign that a church and its leaders are fake is that they make people sign NDAs, nondisclosure agreements. These have no place in a legitimate church and are designed to prevent this spiritual gift from exposing the wolves in sheep's clothing in the leadership of a fake church.
Various kinds of tongues is speaking in an unlearned language. At Pentecost, they spoke real languages of men and all were understood by those who were present. They could listen without interpretation. Some say 14:28 means there is gift of tongues may not be an actual earthly language as it refers to to the person speaking only to God. However, that is reading into the text what is not there. The subject being addressed in 14:26-28 is explicitly when there is no one present who speaks that language the person should keep silent and only speak to God. The instructions on use of the gifts, and explicitly about tongues in particular, is that they are for the edification of the church. Thus some secret prayer language, especially one used in the presence of others is contradicted by scripture. It is clear that tongues are speaking a language of man, not some secret heavenly language. The purpose of the gifts of the Spirit is for the edification of the church. A secret language is contrary to that purpose, and is a narcissistic, selfish, self-centered thing totally contrary to the nature of the Spirit.
The misuse of tongues was the primary reason for Paul's instruction on the gifts. The Corinthian church was overly focused on this gift, were using it improperly, and they were making judgements about it that were plainly wrong. Paul gave specific regulations for tongues in chapter 14. The purpose of the manifestations of the Spirit, including this one, is to edify the community. If it does not do so it doesn't belong in the community.
Interpretation of tongues is the companion to the gift of tongues. This gift isn't necessary if someone is present who knows the language through natural knowledge, that is they learned the language naturally, such as growing up or living in the area where it is spoken. They interpret for the others present who don't know that language. If no one is present who naturally knows the language, then someone with the gift of interpretation is required. If neither method of interpretation is present then speaking in tongues is not for the edification of the community but is selfish and self-centered. In that situation speaking in tongues is prohibited.
11 But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually just as He wills. The Spirit is the source of these gifts. The Spirit is the source of scripture. They cannot contradict each other. If they do then the person claiming to operate out of their gift of the Spirit is lying. The Spirit gives these gifts as He wills. We don't choose, God does.
I'm going to anger two groups of people with the next two points. Their problem is what scripture says, not me. A person who refuses to be corrected by scripture is in rebellion against God.
One, there is zero scriptural evidence for the cessation of any of these gifts. The scriptures that talk about cessation are all about after eschaton, judgement day, when they will no longer be needed. The notion that there are different dispensations is based on taking actual scripture and reading into it things that just aren't there. Dispensationalist split spiritual gifts into those that are for today and those that were only for the early church. Yet the various scriptural listings of spiritual gifts have these mixed together and there is never such a separation. Scripture offers zero guidance for dispensational beliefs. For example, they claim that the New Covenant under Christ is the demarkation between two of the dispensations. However, Christian Jews are clearly instructed to remain Jews and continue to observe the Law of Moses even after Jesus' resurrection. This is the opposite of a clear separation between times or dispensations. Dispensationalists are guilty of quenching the Spirit. However, this is not a gospel/salvation issue. Dispensationalists may or may not be Christians. That depends on their relationship with Christ, not with having incorrect theology. This is a disputable matter, albeit one with worse consequences than most.
Two, it is inarguable that these gifts are given to some people as the Spirit wills, and none are given to all. Anyone who says that being given any one of these is a requirement is contradicting scripture. Let me repeat, they are outside scripture and inventing their own religious views just as the Pharisees did.
It is only by extrapolating from narrative accounts and ignoring the clear teaching in this chapter that these views are arrived at. However, narrative accounts do not document everyday occurrences, nor things that always happen. They document extraordinary occurrences. That Paul tended fires was a common occurrence. But the only one documented was the one in which he was bitten by a deadly poisonous snake and didn't even get sick. Thus the argument from narrative accounts is turned on its head. That people spontaneously spoke in tongues was unusual enough to be worthy of documenting, not instructing the way things are supposed to be.
By preaching that everyone must get the gift of tongues in direct contradiction of this and other scriptures like verse 30, they are leading people into sin. What happens is they put pressure on people to speak in tongues in order to be considered to have been baptized in the Spirit. This leads many to fake it and speak nonsense syllables. The emotional blackmail may be so complete that they actually believe they are speaking in tongues. But they are lying to the church and to the Spirit just as Ananias and Sapphira did. I wouldn't want to be in those leader's shoes at judgement day. However, this does not mean the followers who do this aren't Christians. They are guilty of a grievous error. But whether they are Christians or not isn't dependent on them having right theology. It is dependent on them having a right relationship with Christ. This is a disputable matter, but one with severe consequences. However, this is also a red flag regarding these leaders. They are replacing the word of God, the scriptures from the Holy Spirit, with their own false religion. While claiming to be the ones who "really" follow the Holy Spirit, they contradict and despise the real working of the Spirit in scripture and in people today. And they pressure people to lie about the Spirit. They should not be listened to as they are putting themselves in the role of God, and putting their false words in the mouth of God. That is the definition of blasphemy.
12 For even as the body is one and yet has many members, and all the members of the body, though they are many, are one body, so also is Christ. Paul argued for one body in 10:17. Now he argues from one body to make his points about the Spirit. Unity does not mean uniformity. But it does mean that the Spirit does not fight or contradict the Spirit.
"So also is Christ" is most likely not a reference to the trinity, but is a metonymy, (substitution,) for "body of Christ", which is the church. This is like using "suits" to refer to businessmen.
13 For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free, and we were all made to drink of one Spirit. Some claim that since baptized into one body and drink of one Spirit are separate clauses, Paul is referring to two separate things, water baptism and spirit baptism. However, Paul never uses that language. Dr. Luke does in the Gospel of Luke and Acts, and John uses it in the Gospel of John. But Paul only refers to receiving the Holy Spirit. So this argument is reading into the text what isn't there. It is almost certain that this is merely poetic parallelism.
Regardless, this passage is not about how one becomes a believer. It is an explanation that the diversity within the church is by design. And just like the distinctions of Jew or Greek, slave or free do not separate us, the gifts are not to separate us, but to unify us in one body.
14 For the body is not one member, but many. This should be apparent. Whether it is the church body or the human body, one part is not the whole. The whole is made of different parts in great diversity.
15 If the foot says, "Because I am not a hand, I am not a part of the body," it is not for this reason any the less a part of the body. 16 And if the ear says, "Because I am not an eye, I am not a part of the body," it is not for this reason any the less a part of the body. There are two problems being addressed here. On the one side, some desire gifts they don't have. This is particularly problematic when they have falsely set up that gift as being synonymous with being Christian or having the Spirit. On the other side, even if they don't suffer from gift-envy, some do not see the value of their gift. Paul more directly addresses the second in verses 22-24. Those that don't speak in tongues should not envy those that do. Especially since Paul makes it clear that tongues are the least of the gifts.
17 If the whole body were an eye, where would the hearing be? If the whole were hearing, where would the sense of smell be? 18 But now God has placed the members, each one of them, in the body, just as He desired. 19 If they were all one member, where would the body be? Here the absurdity of everyone having the same manifestation of the Spirit is explicitly illustrated. What Paul didn't specifically state was directly implied: If every member were a tongue, where would the listening be? (He explicitly stated this in verse 30.) God's design includes the manifestations of the Spirit each is given. It is not our place to question or assign man's rules to it. Again, it is inarguable that not everyone gets any particular gift. Anyone who says that everyone must get a particular gift is speaking against the Holy Spirit and substituting their own false religion in place of what the Holy Spirit put in scripture. It is one thing to do so out of ignorance. But leaders saying this are supposedly paid to study the scriptures, must know better, and are doing this in rebellion against the Spirit.
20 But now there are many members, but one body. Paul repeated that the diversity of gifting is by design, but they work together as one.
21 And the eye cannot say to the hand, "I have no need of you"; or again the head to the feet, "I have no need of you." Here the problem of lack of perspective, and empathy, is addressed. Even the most devout make the mistake of thinking that their ministry and/or gifting is how it should be for everyone. But God's design is for diversity of ministries and gifting all edifying the unified body of Christ. For example, one who has the gift of reaping, that is of completing the connecting of the dots that finishes the conversion of new believers and brings them into the church can easily fall into the trap of thinking everyone should be doing that. However, there were many before them that planted seeds, and even more that watered and fertilized those plants. Without all of their long and varied work, there would be no one for the reaper to harvest.
22 On the contrary, it is much truer that the members of the body which seem to be weaker are necessary; The tongue gets the most attention, but the body can survive without a tongue. It cannot survive without the heart, liver, or lungs. Those are hidden, as are all the vital organs. The one preaching or leading the music may get the attention. But there were be no church at all without those who maintain it. Repairing things broken and worn out, cleaning up, getting needed supplies, and setting up are all vital functions the church could not do without.
23 and those members of the body which we deem less honorable, on these we bestow more abundant honor, and our less presentable members become much more presentable, 24 whereas our more presentable members have no need of it. But God has so composed the body, giving more abundant honor to that member which lacked, Essentially, Paul is saying that appearances are deceiving. What we easily perceive to be more honorable is not. That which we ignore or even look down on are the most honorable to God.
While not explicitly addressed in this passage, there is a theological point they raise that is worth mentioning. Those who have the flashy gifts that put them in view of the crowd have much, if not all, of their reward here on Earth. Those who do the more vital, but less visible work are those who have much greater reward in heaven. What God values is very different from what the flesh values.
The bottom line is, this diversity of manifestations of the Spirit is God's design.
25 so that there may be no division in the body, but that the members may have the same care for one another. The purpose of the diverse gifting is for the edification of the body of Christ. We are to use our individual gifting to care for each other. My gifting fulfills the needs of other parts of the body just as the lungs bring in the oxygen the hand needs, the blood transports it, and the heart moves the blood to and from the hand. Our differences in manifestation of the Spirit are to unify us in mutual support, not divide us.
There is a major point in verses 23-25, and I don't know of a single church in America that follows it. The parts of the church who secular society views as less honorable we are to give the greatest honor. And those secular society would focus on already have the honor they deserve. But pastors ignore staff and distain the people who make the church function. Even office staff are disrespectful and ignore the input of the "less honorable", even though they know better what the problems are and where potential problems will be. Then when things go wrong they are upset that no one saw it coming. When all along there were those with the knowledge and wisdom to see it coming, but were ignored in direct violation of these verses.
26 And if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; if one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it. This the the benefit of the unity of the body. Just like when someone sprains their ankle, it is difficult to concentrate or even think of anything else. But when the body is healthy all the parts benefit.
There are two points to this section. Diversity of gifts is by design, and singular focus on any one gift, or even a few, is to destroy God's design. And second, we should never negate anyone as less important than ourselves or anyone else or we destroy God's unity.
27 Now you are Christ's body, and individually members of it. Paul once again repeated that we are individual members of Christ's body. Over and over he said it, far more than other subjects. That ought to inform us as to how important this is.
28 And God has appointed in the church, first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, administrations, various kinds of tongues. Again Paul repeated his point on the diversity of callings. The difference here is he put them in a hierarchy. Clearly and deliberately placed at the bottom, below that of administrations such as the secretary who answers the phones, is tongues. It is the least of the gifts. It does the least. It is the least useful. It is the most abused and faked.
Apostle is listed here for the first time in this passage. It is the highest calling in this list. However, this is not a gift of the Spirit. It is an office in the church, or it is a duty when used in the generic sense. Apostle literally means messenger. When Paul sent a letter to a church the messenger carrying it, (and the copies to other churches,) was an apostle in duty. But they did not hold the church office of Apostle. The office of Apostle is by direct appointment by Jesus. They must have been taught directly by Jesus, and must be a witness that Jesus was resurrected. Peter set the standard as having been present for all of Jesus' ministry and a witness to the resurrection. And it was limited to the inner circle of the twelve disciples. After Judas betrayed Jesus and hanged himself they appointed Mathias to fill that vacancy. Paul saw Jesus with his own eyes and was taught by Jesus when Paul withdrew to Arabia, as documented in Galatians 1:12-17. The twelve Apostles accepted Paul as a fellow Apostle by testing him. They found him to be sound in knowledge of Jesus' ministry and theology. While it is likely that the Holy Spirit confirmed Paul to them, they started from the proof of testing. The purpose of the office of Apostle in the church was to establish the church in the truth of the gospel. They did this in spoken words while they were with us, and by writing down the gospels and letters to instruct us after they were gone. This was to provide a guardrail against heresy. The point is that while many were given the duty of apostle to act as a messenger, there were only 14 Apostles as an office of the church. No one can claim to be an apostle today. It is impossible to meet the qualifications. Those that claim the title after the 14 are frauds who are contradicted by scripture.
29 All are not apostles, are they? All are not prophets, are they? All are not teachers, are they? All are not workers of miracles, are they? 30 All do not have gifts of healings, do they? All do not speak with tongues, do they? All do not interpret, do they? Paul used rhetorical questions to which the answer to all of them is emphatically no. Paul directly stated without any possibility of misinterpretation that there is no gifting or manifestation of the Spirit that is given to all. While a gift may be given to many, it is never to all. And the evidence is that it does not occur. He specifically stated that tongues is not given to everyone.
Therefore, any church that insists that all in their congregation do have or must have one of these gifts is deceiving themselves, teaching people to lie by faking it, lying to God, and rebelling against the Spirit. There is an argument that this would be an instance of blasphemy against the Spirit, although it is not a strong case. It is certainly blasphemy against the teaching of the Spirit that He put in scripture.
31 But earnestly desire the greater gifts. And I show you a still more excellent way. To take this verse to mean that we as individuals should seek the things on the higher end of the hierarchy in verse 28 is to violate the intent and message of this entire chapter. The message is for everyone to value, be content with, and use the gifts they were given for the benefit of the body of Christ. And we absolutely should not to seek for all have the same gift.
What this means is that corporately as a church we should value and seek the greater gifts. Tongues is mostly useless and a selfish distraction. Speaking in a language that does not need interpretation is much more useful. This is why prophets and teachers are at the top of the scale and tongues is below the people who do the paperwork. We should value prophecy and teaching in the gathering of the church. And lesser gifts shouldn't be valued because they are flashy and attention getting to people out of step with God's values.

Scripture quotations taken from the NASB © The Lockman Foundation.

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