I Corthians 12: 1-6

1 Corinthians 12:1 (KJV)
1 Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I would not have you ignorant.
The word “spiritual is the Greek word “pneumatikos.” Pneumatikos means things of the spirit or
spiritual matters. The word “gifts” is in italics in the King James version of the Bible. This is one
of the reasons I like the King James version, it italicizes most of the words add by translators to
try to make the sentences and thoughts whole. Since the translators put the words in they are
devoid of authority and as such we can either leave them in, if they line up with the rest of the
Bible, or delete them, if they run contrary to the Bible. In this case the word “gifts” is in error
and needs to be removed. Also, if you look in a Greek interlinear Bible there is no corresponding
Greek word for the word “gifts.” The first verse would be more accurately translated “Now
concerning things of the spirit (or spiritual matters) brethren I would not have you ignorant.”
1 Corinthians 12:2,3 (KJV)
2 Ye know that ye were Gentiles, carried away unto these dumb idols, even as ye were led.
3 Wherefore I give you to understand, that no man speaking by the Spirit of God calleth Jesus
accursed: and that no man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost.
What does it mean “speaking by the spirit of God?” Well, we can ponder this all year, but, unless
you come to the realization that there is no private interpretation when it comes to rightly
dividing God’s Word then you will be in the dark for a lifetime.
2 Peter 1:20 (KJV)
20 Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation.
2 Timothy 2:15 (KJV)
15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing
the word of truth.
So with that in mind what DOES it mean “speaking by the spirit of God?”
On the Day of Pentecost the Apostles were all filled with the spirit of God and spoke in tongues.
Not only did they speak in tongues, an unknown language(s) to them, but, there were many
witnesses that heard them and they testified that they were speaking “the wonderful works of
God.” Time and again the Bible shows that, in the first century, when people were born again of
God’s spirit, they did one thing that was an infallible proof that they were born again, they spoke
in tongues.
Acts 2:4 (KJV)
4 And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the
Spirit gave them utterance.Acts 2:5-11 (KJV)
5 And there were dwelling at Jerusalem Jews, devout men, out of every nation under heaven.
6 Now when this was noised abroad, the multitude came together, and were confounded, because that
every man heard them speak in his own language.
7 And they were all amazed and marvelled, saying one to another, Behold, are not all these which speak
Galilaeans?
8 And how hear we every man in our own tongue, wherein we were born?
9 Parthians, and Medes, and Elamites, and the dwellers in Mesopotamia, and in Judaea, and
Cappadocia, in Pontus, and Asia,
10 Phrygia, and Pamphylia, in Egypt, and in the parts of Libya about Cyrene, and strangers of Rome, Jews
and proselytes,
11 Cretes and Arabians, we do hear them speak in our tongues the wonderful works of God.
The next thing that verse three says is that no one speaking by the spirit of God calls Jesus
accursed. In other words people that speak in tongues cannot curse Jesus Christ. That seems
axiomatic, but people seeing and hearing didn’t understand what those born again were saying
when they spoke in tongues, so, they said that the people speaking were cursing their gods. Just
because people understood the Apostles on the Day of Pentecost doesn’t mean that people will
understand what is being said all of the time. When a person is speaking in tongues they are
speaking the language of men or of angels. (I Corinthians 13:1)
The last part of vs. three states very plainly “that no man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by
the holy spirit.” This is the dividing line! This is where you either believe God’s Wonderful
Word or you stand with church doctrine. Your choice. I don’t know how people have missed it
all of these years, but, then again, I do know. They have not had one to teach them. Centuries of
church doctrine and tradition, but, very little truth and no power.
1 Corinthians 12:4 (KJV)
4 Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit.
There are only six gifts in the Bible. The first is the gift of holy spirit. As part of this gift we have
eternal life (Romans 6:23) and we have righteousness (Romans 5:17.)
The other five gifts are gift ministries.
Ephesians 4:10-12 (KJV)
10 He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that he might fill all
things.)
11 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and
teachers;
12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:
The gift of holy spirit is to an individual. The five gift ministries are to the body of believers.
1 Corinthians 12:5 (KJV)
5 And there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord.What this is saying is that differences in ministries, but, God chooses. It is God’s choice. A man
is not a Pastor or a Teacher just because he went to school. True Apostles, Prophets, Evangelists,
Pastors and Teachers are chosen and energized by God.These ministries have different roles,
different strengths, but, their goals are exactly the same. They are for the perfecting of the
Christians, for building and building up the Christian Church and to teach the Christians the truth
of God’s Word.
Ephesians 4:12 (KJV)
12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:
1 Corinthians 12:6 (KJV)
6 And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all.
There are differences of operations, energema, but the One True God that energizes that spirit
within. That is why Apostles bring new light to the World as well as the light of truth that has
been lost, prophets bring people back to the accuracy of God’s Word. He tells them where they
are off and tells them how to get back in fellowship with God. Evangelists have great ability to
get the unsaved to repent and be born again. Evangelists build the believing of the people.
Pastors bind up the wounds of the Church whether they be physical or spiritual. They nuture the
congregation. Teachers have a long suit in teaching. They open the Bible and expound the Word
of God so that by the time they are done no one has a question. Let me say, all of these men
whether or not they have a PHD or a grade school education teach so that everybody regardless
of education or background understands the Word taught. Any time a person stands up in a pulpit
or sits in front of a group of people and teaches, using words that the people don’t understand, he
is teaching from his own arrogance and should be thrown out.
As we unfold the accuracy of I Corinthians 12-14 the underlying theme is God energizing the
gifts given whether it is the gift of holy spirit or the gift ministries.
Philippians 2:13 (KJV)
13 For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure