Not Ignorant of Spiritual Gifts 1 Corinthians 12:1

Paul the apostle completed his discussion of the “assembling” of the church members in Corinth, and in chapter twelve and verse one of First Corinthians, Paul moved to another topic as he shared how he did not want the Corinthian church members to be “ignorant”, “concerning spiritual gifts”, where we read:

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

The verse begins, “Now concerning spiritual gifts, ...”. Paul began with the word, “now” which means “moreover and” “concerning” which means “on account of, because of and near” “spiritual gifts” which is the Greek word “pneumatikos” and is literally “spirituals” and refers to “that which belongs to the Divine Spirit of God”. Paul transitioned to the subject of “spirituals” or spiritual things.

The verse goes on to say, “... brethren, I would not have you ignorant.” Paul added the word, “brethren” which refers to “fellow believers who are united to another by the bond of affection”, “I would not have you” or “Paul did not have in mind, intend, resolve, determine, purpose, desire or wish for the church members to be” “ignorant” which means “without understanding, unknown, with error or sin through mistake or to be wrong”. Paul did not want the Corinthian church members to without understanding concerning “spiritual things”.

When we think through these words from Paul, we see his desire for the church members to know about “spirituals”. We must keep in mind that Jesus Christ knows what is best for His church, and as Paul approaches the topic of “spirituals”, let us learn carefully from what He has to say through His servant Paul lest we be found to be “ignorant” of “spiritual gifts”.

Next time Paul shares how the church members, “were Gentiles, carried away unto these dumb idols”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, and the new devotional “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore.