Gifts: A Blessing to the Church

a small bouquet of wildflowers passed from a little hand to a bigger hand.

First Corinthians is one of the most, if not the most, exhaustive books in the Bible regarding spiritual gifts. Throughout the epistle, numerous passages provide instruction on this topic. The introduction offers insights into why spiritual gifts are emphasized, including the section from which we are praying.

The Corinthian culture, along with its surrounding towns, was renowned for its pursuit of philosophy, knowledge, and wisdom, often displayed through eloquent speeches and teachings. Public speaking and rhetoric competitions were common, and training in these areas was deeply ingrained in their society. However, the Christians in Corinth were uniquely blessed with spiritual gifts, particularly in areas like speech, wisdom, and knowledge.

hese gifts, however, led some believers to boast about their abilities. They began to derail the message of the cross by focusing on non-essential matters. In other words, the culture of the city infiltrated the culture of the church. The church in Corinth started placing their worth in their abilities, much like the secular culture around them. This letter is a call to refocus on Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith and the giver of all spiritual gifts.

PASSAGE BREAKDOWN

"I thank my God always concerning you for the grace of God which was given you in Christ Jesus, that in everything you were enriched in Him, in all speech and all knowledge, just as the testimony concerning Christ was confirmed in you, so that you are not lacking in any gift, as you eagerly await the revelation of our Lord Jesus Christ, who will also confirm you to the end, blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ." (1 Corinthians 1:4–8 NASB).

Paul is thankful to the Lord that God has marked the church in Corinth with the grace of God that can only be given by faith in Jesus Christ (v. 4). This partnership with the Lord is evident. Their lives have been changed because of the testimony of Jesus, the truth of the gospel, which has impacted their lives (v. 6). In a way that the church has been enriched, blessed, and strengthened by the gifts of the Spirit (v. 5). So that they persevere. Continuing to pursue the knowledge of God and patiently waiting for the return of the king of kings (v. 7). Just as Christ’s confirmation is evident in their lives, in part by the gifts of the spirit, healings, and miracles, for those who patiently waited and continued building the bride together as one body; he will approve them on the day of the Lord as Holy and blameless before Him (v. 8, Eph 5:27).

“The testimony of Christ confirmed in you” is the key statement to understand this passage and its relevance to the entire letter. The gifts were given to the church as a reflection of their decision for Jesus. It’s one of the marks of a Christian (1 Peter 4:10-11). Gifts are not to boast (1 Co 1:28-29), but they are a reflection of the work of God in our lives. When the church walks in purpose and power with its gifts, it should only point to Jesus. Our daily lives show the testimony of Christ to others.

"But it is due to Him that you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification, and redemption, so that, just as it is written: 'Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.'" (1 Corinthians 1:30–31 NASB)

SPIRITUAL GIFTS

"There are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. There are differences of ministries, but the same Lord. And there are diversities of activities, but it is the same God who works all in all. But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all: wisdom, knowledge, faith, healings, miracles, prophecy, discerning of spirits, tongues, interpretation of tongues… But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually as He wills." (1 Corinthians 12:4-11 NASB)

"Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them." (Romans 12:6 NASB)

"Pursue love, and desire spiritual gifts, but especially that you may prophesy… But he who prophesies speaks edification and exhortation and comfort to men." (1 Corinthians 14:1-3 NASB)

"How is it then, brethren? Whenever you come together, each of you has a psalm, has a teaching, has a tongue, has a revelation, has an interpretation. Let all things be done for edification." (1 Corinthians 14:26 NASB)

Spiritual gifts are given to each of us (at least one) by the Spirit of God and assigned from the desire of his will. Gifts should be desired, taken hold of to walk diligently, like the parable of the talents. All spiritual gifts and assignments, as in Ephesians 4:11, are to be stewarded for the body of Christ. The conglomeration of the body and everybody's specific gifts brings unification and edification to the church. The Bride has made herself ready (Rev 19:7).

"from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love." (Ephesians 4:16 NASB)

HOW TO PRAY THE PASSAGE

"Pursue love, yet earnestly desire spiritual gifts." (1 Corinthians 14:1 NASB)

This passage in First Corinthians is not a formal prayer like those in Ephesians 1:17-19 or Philippians 1:9-11. However, it provides a model for engaging with Scripture through prayer. The Bible is filled with statements of truth, and this is one of them.

Spiritual gifts among believers in the church confirm the testimony, presence, power, and authority of Christ within the body (v. 5-6).

One way I use to pray statements like 1 Corinthians 1:5-6 is to break the phrase down into segments and separate it into many explanatory sentences that are included in the same statement. Almost as if every word or two would have a prayer of its own within the context of the rest of the statement.

What is the statement saying? How does it relate to each other? How does it relate to the audience? How does it relate to me and the church?

Examples how you can pray from 1 Corinthians 1:5-6:

Pray for believers to grow in their spiritual gifts for the edification of the church. (gifts)
Pray that the church would reflect the image of Christ in their lives. (testimony)
Pray that Christ would manifest with power through his church. (confirmation of Christ)
Pray for the church to speak with boldness, and authority, that the gift of anointed preaching and teaching would be poured over the church. (specific gifts)
Pray for an increase in the gifts and fruits of the Spirit, being a light for testimony and salvation to the world, as it is written, by their fruits they shall be known. (testimony)
Pray for an increase of knowledge and understanding in the church to open the eyes of the bride by the power of the scripture. (specific gifts)

References:

Craig S. Keener, The IVP Bible Background Commentary: New Testament, Second Edition (Downers Grove, IL: IVP Academic: An Imprint of InterVarsity Press, 2014).

Gordon D. Fee, The First Epistle to the Corinthians, The New International Commentary on the New Testament (Grand Rapids, MI: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., 1987).