One Spirit, Many Gifts

An Exegetical and Pastoral Exploration of 1 Corinthians 12 (+ brief link to chapters 13 and 14)

(Through the Five-Lens Framework and Scripture Sub-Lenses)

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Few passages in the New Testament speak as clearly—and as pastorally—into questions surrounding spiritual gifts, tongues, and unity as 1 Corinthians 12–14. These chapters were written into a church rich in spiritual experiences yet fractured by misunderstanding, comparison, and spiritual hierarchy.

The apostle Paul does not deny the reality of spiritual gifts. Instead, he re-centres them in Christ, reframes their purpose, and reorders their use so that the church may grow in love, unity, and maturity.

This study engages 1 Corinthians 12–14 using the five-lens framework—Scripture, Experience, Tradition, Intellectual Reasoning, and Emotional & Intuitive Wisdom—with special attention to the Scripture lens and its five sub-lenses: biblical theology, exegetical theology, historical context, systematic theology, and pastoral theology.

The Historical and Pastoral Context of 1 Corinthians

The Corinthian church was:

• Spiritually gifted

• Theologically confused

• Socially divided

Certain gifts—especially tongues—had become markers of spiritual status. Paul writes not to suppress the Spirit, but to correct spiritual pride and disorder, reminding believers that gifts exist for service, not self-validation.

1 Corinthians 12: One Spirit, Many Gifts

Exegetical Foundation: Key Greek Word Studies

Charismata (χαρίσματα) — “Gifts of Grace”

Derived from charis (grace), charismata emphasizes that spiritual gifts are unearned expressions of God’s grace, not indicators of spiritual achievement. No gift can be demanded, earned, or used as proof of superiority.

Pneuma (πνεῦμα) — “Spirit”

Used repeatedly throughout the chapter, pneuma highlights that the Holy Spirit Himself is the source of every gift. The focus is not on the gifts, but on the Giver.

Sōma (σῶμα) — “Body”

Paul’s metaphor of the body (sōma) stresses interdependence, not hierarchy. Unity does not mean sameness; diversity does not mean division.

1 Corinthians 12:1–3 — The True Mark of the Spirit

Paul begins with a foundational clarification:

“No one can say ‘Jesus is Lord’ except by the Holy Spirit.”

Before discussing gifts, Paul establishes Christ-centred confession as the primary evidence of the Spirit’s work—not ecstatic experience or spiritual manifestations.

Exegetical and pastoral insight:
The Spirit is first recognised by allegiance to Christ, not by a particular gift.

1 Corinthians 12:4–7 — Diversity by Design

Paul introduces a Trinitarian structure:

• Varieties of gifts (charismata)

• Same Spirit (pneuma)

• Same Lord

• Same God who empowers all

“To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good.”

Gifts are given to all, but not the same gifts to all. Their purpose is edification, not identity formation or spiritual ranking.

1 Corinthians 12:8–11 — Distributed as He Wills

Paul lists a range of gifts, including tongues and interpretation, and concludes:

“All these are empowered by one and the same Spirit, who apportions to each one individually as He wills.”

This statement alone dismantles any theology that requires a particular gift as evidence of Spirit baptism or salvation. The Spirit is sovereign, not mechanical.

1 Corinthians 12:12–13 — Spirit Baptism and Union with Christ

“For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body…”

Spirit baptism here refers to the Spirit’s work of uniting believers to Christ and to one another at conversion. Paul does not associate Spirit baptism with tongues, but with belonging, inclusion, and unity.

1 Corinthians 12:27–30 — The Decisive Question

Paul ends with rhetorical questions:

“Do all speak in tongues?”

The Greek grammar expects the answer no.

This is exegetically decisive: not all believers receive the same gifts, therefore no gift can be required as universal evidence of spiritual life.

1 Corinthians 13 — The Most Excellent Way

After discussing gifts, Paul deliberately interrupts with love.

“If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong…”

Here Paul relativizes every spiritual gift, including tongues. Love (agapē) is not merely another virtue—it is the goal toward which all gifts are meant to serve.

From a biblical-theological perspective, 1 Corinthians 13 reveals that:

• Gifts are temporary

• Love is enduring

• Maturity is measured by love, not manifestations

Pastoral insight:
Any theology of the Spirit that elevates gifts above love has missed Paul’s central point.

1 Corinthians 14 — Order, Edification, and Clarity

Paul then applies love practically to the use of gifts, especially tongues and prophecy.

Key emphases:

• Gifts must build up the church

• Uninterpreted tongues benefit the individual, not the gathered body

• Prophecy is prioritised because it strengthens others

• Order reflects God’s character, not spiritual suppression

“God is not a God of confusion but of peace.”

Paul does not forbid tongues. He regulates them. He affirms the gift while refusing to let it dominate or divide the community.

Integrating This with the Five-Lens Framework

Scripture Lens

• Gifts are sovereignly distributed

• Spirit baptism unites believers to Christ

• Love governs all gifts

Experience Lens

• Tongues may be deeply meaningful for some

• Experience must be interpreted by Scripture, not elevated above it

Tradition Lens

• The historic church has not treated tongues as required evidence

• Pentecostal distinctives are relatively recent, not universal

Intellectual Reasoning Lens

• Mandatory tongues contradict Paul’s explicit teaching

• A uniform requirement undermines the Spirit’s sovereignty

Emotional & Intuitive Wisdom Lens

• God’s Spirit brings peace, not anxiety

• Believers flourish when assurance is grounded in Christ, not performance

Final Theological and Pastoral Summary

1 Corinthians 12–14 teaches that:

• The same Spirit indwells every believer

• Different gifts are given for the common good

• No gift defines salvation or spiritual maturity

• Love is the supreme mark of the Spirit’s work

• Unity in diversity reflects the body of Christ

The Holy Spirit was given not to create hierarchy, but harmony.
Not to divide believers into categories, but to unite them in Christ.

Tongues are a genuine biblical gift—but they are not a test of salvation, not a requirement for Spirit baptism, and not the measure of spiritual life. The clearest evidence of the Spirit is faith in Christ expressed through love.

For more on tongues and evidence of spiritual rebirth click HERE