1 Corinthians 14:1-5

¹ Pursue love, and desire spiritual gifts, but especially that you may prophesy. ² For he who speaks in a tongue does not speak to men but to God, for no one understands him; however, in the spirit he speaks mysteries. ³ But he who prophesies speaks edification and exhortation and comfort to men. ⁴ He who speaks in a tongue edifies himself, but he who prophesies edifies the church. ⁵ I wish you all spoke with tongues, but even more that you prophesied; for he who prophesies is greater than he who speaks with tongues, unless indeed he interprets, that the church may receive edification.

Commentary

Vs. 1 "Pursue love, and desire spiritual gifts, but especially that you may prophesy." 

The Apostle Paul having already expounded love and it's virtues or qualities as being the pinnacle of Christian faith and living (1 Cor 13), now says that we should all pursue love first. For in putting love first one by default must put in check the carnal and selfish desires of the flesh which led to so much discord within the Corinthians ranks. That said, the Apostle Paul does not say we are to abandon Spirit gifts, rather we are to desire them. And so instead of pursuing Spirit gifts first (as was the case in Corinth, which only led to everyone trying to supplant each other), we are all to first pursue love. And having put love first, we are to desire Spirit gifts, especially the gift of prophesy, not tongues. 

Now the Apostle Paul will go on to explain why the gift of prophesy excels the gift of tongues, and thus why we are all to desire the gift of prophecy, as well as explain why the gift of prophecy is to have pre-eminence amongst all believers everywhere when we are collectively gathered. That all said not all will be given the gift of prophecy, for it is the Spirit who distributes gifts too each one as He wills (1 Cor 12:11). And so instead of trying to a pursue a Spirit gift which you may not get, and thus end up frustrated or discouraged, first pursue love, (the greatest gift), while desiring spirit gifts, (and thus leave your Spirit giftenedness in the hands of God) so that you may attain to all things that lead to true Christian faith, life, love and maturity. 

Vs. 2 "For he who speaks in a tongue does not speak to men but to God, for no one understands him; however, in the spirit he speaks mysteries."

The Apostle Paul now explains why the gift of prophesy (not tongues) is the Spirit gift to be desired. 
First is that "he who speaks in a tongue does not speak to men but to God, for no-one understands him..." Thus we see the very first limitation of tongues speaking after Pentecost, it seemingly moved from easily discernible known languages to "tongues of angels". And thus tongues speaking now needs to be interpreted if it is to be of any value to the church collectively, or individual personally. Because when one speaks in a tongue given by the Spirit of God, one is not speaking to men, but to God. And so it is that God must give the interpretation through those whom He has equipped to do so, because no one understands him when he is speaking in a tongue. Nonetheless the Apostle Paul says, "in the spirit he speaks mysteries". That is he speaks those things which have not yet been revealed to either the individual speaker or the assembly. Yet this is not new Scriptural Revelations, rather it is mysteries which are in accord with the Word of God, as this pertains to the Kingdom of heaven, which the believers assembled there have not yet heard nor understood. And so it is tongues speaking has it's limitations, and effectiveness, and even duration, because if no interpretation is present, then one must speak silently to himself and God (vs. 28), because no one understands him. 

Vs. 3 "But he who prophesies speaks edification and exhortation and comfort to men."

In contrast to tongues the one with the Spirit gift of prophesy speaks edification and exhortation and comfort to men, and this in a language that is easily understood by all! And so right away one clearly sees why the emphasis is placed on us all to desire the greater gift of prophecy over tongues. Because with prophesy one not only speaks to men in an easily discernible language, but one speaks edification, exhortation, and comfort to them. All which are critical for individual believers, as well as the churches collective well-being. For if individual believers are not first built up and established in their faith, (which is what edification and exhortation is about doing) then the whole assembly will only be weak and anemic in it's collective faith, witness, and ultimately it's ministry work in and for the Gospel. Thus he who prophesies is far better than he who speaks in a tongue. Because he who prophesies can readily speak from the Word of God edification and exhortation and comfort to men. While he who speaks in a tongue speaks mysteries that need interpretation. 

Vs. 4 "He who speaks in a tongue edifies himself, but he who prophesies edifies the church."

And so it is the one who speaks in a tongue only edify themselves, while the one who prophesies edifies the church. And that is what the Apostle Paul is stressing in these verses the churches edification which comes through prophesy, not the individual speakers edification, which may come through tongues. Indeed if a tongue is not interpreted all it really becomes is a distraction to the Word, which is easily understood by all. 

Vs. 5 "I wish you all spoke with tongues, but even more that you prophesied; for he who prophesies is greater than he who speaks with tongues, unless indeed he interprets, that the church may receive edification."

Now the Apostle Paul saying he wished the Corinthian believers all spoke with tongues has to do with the divisiveness that they had all experienced through the miss-use of this Spirit gift. Not that he was now elevating this gift's prominence after he had already corrected the Corinthians error in doing so, when he listed it last of all the Spirit given gifts (see 1 Cor 12:28). Therefore if they all did (not that Paul thought they all would, or that they all should), but if they all did, (as in a hypothetical situation) maybe then they would all see each other as necessary and beloved brethren. Because all believers everywhere have Spirit given gifts and talents meant to contribute to the whole Bodies edification in love. Therefore the Apostle Paul goes onto to say of wishing they all spoke with tongues, "...but even more that you prophesied; for he who prophesies is greater than he who speaks with tongues, unless indeed he interprets, that the church may receive edification." Therefore the Apostle Paul is not stressing tongues, but prophesy, because it is given in an easily understood language that requires no interpretation, and so the church, not just the individual, receives edification through it. Similarly then tongues is useful (but not preferred) for the churches edification, if there is interpretation. Otherwise all tongues are to be spoken silently, to oneself and God alone (1 Cor 14:28). Now all these things are incumbent upon the Spirit still working in this fashion, which is not nearly the case now as it was in the Biblical Apostolic era when Christ's Revelations for the entire church was still an active and ongoing ministry. For we now have all the commandments of Christ (Acts 1:2) and all the Revelations from God given us all already and recorded for us all in the written Word of God (Rev. 22:6-21). These gifts then cannot now bring any new Revelations from Christ for us all. Instead they expound what has already been revealed, and thus through them Christ can speak edification, exhortation, and comfort to us all through the written Word of God (Rom 15:4; 1 Cor. 10:11; 2 Tim 3:16-17 etc.). That is the primary use of the gift of prophecy today to bring forth Scriptural truth, exhortation, teaching, and comfort to one and to all through the Word of God. 


Scripture Quotations
The New King James Version. Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1982.

1 Corinthians 13:1-13

¹ Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal. ² And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. ³ And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, but have not love, it profits me nothing. ⁴ Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; ⁵ does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; ⁶ does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; ⁷ bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. ⁸ Love never fails. But whether there are prophecies, they will fail; whether there are tongues, they will cease; whether there is knowledge, it will vanish away. ⁹ For we know in part and we prophesy in part. ¹⁰ But when that which is perfect has come, then that which is in part will be done away. ¹¹ When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child; but when I became a man, I put away childish things. ¹² For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I also am known. ¹³ And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love.

Commentary

Vs. 1 "Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal." 

The Corinthians overt emphasis on tongues speaking as being the mark of someone being a Spirit filled person is now being tactfully put to rest. Indeed if anyone, anywhere, exalts any Spirit gift as the mark of anyone being more Spirit filled than another member of the Body of Christ, then really they are just being carnal. For it's not the gifts of the Spirit that God wants us to exemplify to each other, and even the world as Christ's disciples, it's the fruits of His Spirit. The first of which is love (see John 13:34-35; Gal 5:22-23). And that is why the Apostle Paul now says that though I (meaning himself as an Apostle of Christ) speak with tongues of men, or tongues of angels (see 1 Cor 14:2), but have not love, I would only become a sounding brass or a clanging symbol. For tongues languages in of themselves do nothing for the church's edification, nor the Gospels furtherance, for without interpretation, and specifically here, the love of God at the forefront of it all, all they would be doing is making a bunch of discordant noise, which would neither edify the church, nor inform those who are currently ignorant. And so all they would be doing is confusing the uniformed as to what it all meant. And thus they would not be making the Gospel any more accessible to them. Indeed some might even think that they were crazy (see 1 Cor 14:23), or that the church was out of control (see 1 Cor 14:26-33). Thus it's not tongues speaking that is the mark of Spirit filled person, it's God's love flowing through them, and thus reaching others with a language that is universally understood. 

Vs. 2 "And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing."

Similarly though I have the gift of prophecy (a gift which the Apostle Paul commends to every believer above tongues speaking in chapter fourteen), yet even with this Spirit gift from God; or the Spirit given ability to understand the deep mysteries in the Word of God; or the Spirit given ability to have all knowledge regarding something in His Word, or all faith, so that one could remove mountains; that is overcome whatever seemingly insurmountable obstacles and barriers we may encounter in seeking to do the Will of God; (for our God is the God of the impossible, who enables us all who trust in Him, to do His Will). Yet without love whatever gifts, talents, abilities, and even faith one has would all become unprofitable for the Kingdom of heavens sake, without love. 

Vs. 3 "And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, but have not love, it profits me nothing." 

Even the greatest personal sacrifices for the Kingdom of heavens sake, (presented to us here as "giving ones body to be burned"; which itself maybe alluding to the Old Covenant burnt offering sacrifice and the entirety of it there, see Lev. 6:22). And thus even the most extreme personal sacrifices, or the most generous and charitable giving, profits one nothing unless love underlies it. That said, is love just a feeling that we have inside ourselves? Or is there something more tangible and enduring to it? To answer that the Apostle Paul gives us arguably one of the greatest definitions, and dare I say justifications, of love ever given in verses four to seven. Love then, like wisdom not only touches our emotions and intellect, but inevitably it impacts on how we live and how we speak. For just as wisdom is justified by her children, so is love (consider Matt. 11:19).

Vs. 4-7 ⁴ Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; ⁵ does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; ⁶ does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; ⁷ bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.

"Love suffers long and is kind"
The thought here is that love patiently endures with the shortcomings and misgivings of others. It's not quick to point out faults, or sever ties because of them. And when it is necessary to critique someone, it does so with kindness; not harshness or rudeness of speech etc., and thus love does so only after considering another's feelings and well-being. Love is not short-tempered (James 1:19-20).

"Love does not envy" 
Envy is one of the most personally poisonous (Prov 14:30) and collectively destructive sins in the Bible (consider Acts 8:23). Murders, violence, wrath, and all manner of injustice and strife are said to be born from it (consider 1 John 3:12). Not only can it destroy you personally (Job 5:2; Ecc 9:6); it will poison and ruin your friendships and relationships, if you let it rule you (Prov. 27:4). For marriages, families, even churches have all been poisoned, and or, ruined by envy (Heb. 12:15; James 3:13-18, vs. 14-16). Envy then is not the mark of one who is being led by the Spirit of God, rather it marks one who is living carnally (Gal. 5:19-21; Titus 3:3). Love then does not envy, because abiding in Christ's love means celebrating the successes and good fortune that God brings forth too and through all brethren.

"Love does not parade itself"
The word translated parade implies boastful speech. And so when one is walking in love, one does not need to boast about ones own Spirit giftedness, or anything else about themselves. Love then does not need to make oneself front and center to the detriment of others, love does not parade itself. 

"Love is not puffed up"
That is haughty, arrogant; thus love neither thinks to highly of itself, as if anything comes from ourselves, nor does it despise, or look down on others, because we all have weaknesses and limitations.

"Love does not behave rudely" 
Love is polite and considerate of others, it has both a moral and social conscience.

"Love does not seek its own"
Self-seeking and or selfish ambition is one of the old nature sins that is rebuked in James 3:13-18. For to be self seeking is only to be living contrary to how Christ lived, and would have us all live (consider Phil 2:3-11, vs. 3-4). Therefore as the Apostle Paul has already exhorted us all: "Let no one seek his own, but each one the other’s well-being." 1 Cor. 10:24

"Love is not provoked"
Love can endure slights and wrongs, it doesn't need to repay a wrong with a wrong, or an insult with an insult. Jesus' commandment about turning the other cheek immediately comes to mind (Matt. 5:39; also consider Prov 20:22; 24:29; 1 Thess. 5:19; 1 Peter 3:15). 

"Love thinks no evil" 
Love does not judge motives, or attribute evil intentions to the good will and acts of others. It sees the best, not the worst in people. Unfortunately one of the most frequent areas of spiritual attack on believers is in this area of the mind where distrust is often first sown. "Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord comes, who will both bring to light the hidden things of darkness and reveal the counsels of the hearts. Then each one’s praise will come from God." 1 Cor 4:5

"Love does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth" 
Love does not rejoice in iniquity (that is in evil, wickedness, injustice etc.). And thus love does not rejoice in seeing those who have harmed them stumble and fall, or be repaid with cruelty (consider Prov. 17:5). Instead love rejoices in the truth. That is in the Gospel's truth that God desires all people, all sinners everywhere, to be saved and come to a knowledge of the truth (1 Tim 2:4; 2 Peter 3:9; also consider Ezek 18:23, 32; John 3:17). And so in contrast to rejoicing in the downfall of the sinner, Love came down from His throne in heaven, and became the atoning sacrifice for ever sinners sins. 

"Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things." 
The Apostle Paul now rises with a crescendo that celebrates the wonderful qualities of love. First is that love bears all things. For whatever else love feels and does, love first bears all things, which means it endures not just the faults and failings of others, but also when life's circumstances go south, love does not then fold up and go south with them. Love does not then forsake it's responsibilities. As well associated with this word is the notion of "covering". Love then does not broadcast the failings of others, nor does love make public those things that should be dealt with privately. For love not only covers those things that should be covered (consider Prov. 10:12; 17:9; 1 Peter 4:8), but also love patiently bears with the weaknesses, failings, and faults of others (consider Rom 15:1; Gal. 6:2; 2 Tim. 2:24; gleaned from NKJ center column). Now that love believes all things is saying that love is not manipulated by life's circumstances, rather love knows and believes in God's sovereignty over all things, and thus believes the best. And thus love also hopes all things, and love endures all things.

Vs. 8-9 ⁸ Love never fails. But whether there are prophecies, they will fail; whether there are tongues, they will cease; whether there is knowledge, it will vanish away. ⁹ For we know in part and we prophesy in part. 

It is clear in these verses that the Apostle Paul saw in the Spirit gifts of prophecy and tongues and even knowledge their short comings and temporal nature. For it's not prophesy and tongues, nor even knowledge (i.e. those things not yet revealed, consider Deut. 29:29) that God our Father wants to ultimately grow us up into, it's His love. For where there are prophecies they will fail (not Biblical prophecies, these will all be fulfilled in their time), but prophecy as a Spirit gift will not always be necessary. Same with tongues, they will cease, and where there is knowledge it too will vanish away. "For we know in part and we prophesy in part." We don't have the complete picture of how all things will unfold, and even if we did, we don't have the perfect understanding of all things as God does. So whatever things are revealed to us now, until He fulfills all His Word, are given us to guide us and encourage us into His Will and plans for us down here. For there is still eternity, and whole lot of stuff that God is going to do that we know nothing about (consider 1 Cor. 2:9). Thus exalting any Spirit gifts above love (which is the fundamental Nature of God and is to be the predominate characteristic of all believers everywhere) is only being shortsighted and immature in ones faith. For gifts of the Spirit are not the defining characteristic of the King, nor the Kingdom of heaven, nor of all believers both here and there, rather love is, because love never fails.

Vs. 10-11 ¹⁰ But when that which is perfect has come, then that which is in part will be done away. ¹¹ When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child; but when I became a man, I put away childish things. 

All Spirit gifts that are given to us now are to grow us up into the fullness of Christ (consider Eph. 4:13), all which culminates with love. Thus Spirit gifts are not the end goal, Christ with His bride the church glorified with Himself is the end goal. All that takes place from now till then is to serve that great grand purpose. And so it is that the Apostle Paul sees that which makes for our growth, both personally, but also collectively for believers everywhere, as what we are all to pursue (consider Rom 14:19; 1 Thess. 5:15; 1 Tim 6:11-12; 2 Tim 2:22; Heb 12:14; 1 Peter 2:2; 3:8-12; 2 Peter 1:5-11 etc.). Thus Spirit gifts have their purpose and place as we move from infancy to maturity, but they themselves are not the end goal, our being like Christ in every way is. Thus we are to desire them, yes, but we are to pursue love (1 Cor 14:1). For love is eternal, Spirit gifts are not. And so looking back to the Spirit gifts that were once widely practiced amongst believers and then seeking to emulate the same is not going forward in faith, it is only returning to the previous childlike state. 

Vs. 12 For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I also am known.

And so it is until that which has perfect has come; and thus we are all with Christ in that glorified state and with glorified bodies; we see our future with the Lord now dimly, but then face to face. For then on that day, "I shall know just as I am known."  That is I shall know the Lord just as He now knows me. I will not lack in any knowledge or understanding of Him.

Vs. 13 "And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love."
And so it is until that Day that we are to abide in faith, hope, and love. For these are the essence of Christian faith and living, and of these three great and grand virtues, the greatest is love. 


Scripture Quotations
The New King James Version. (1982). (1 Co 10:24). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.

Additional Resources Consulted 
Louw, J. P., & Nida, E. A. (1996). Greek-English lexicon of the New Testament: based on semantic domains (electronic ed. of the 2nd edition., Vol. 1, p. 430). New York: United Bible Societies.

MacDonald, W. (1995). Believer’s Bible Commentary: Old and New Testaments. (A. Farstad, Ed.) (p. 1796). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.

1 Corinthians 12:27–31

²⁷ Now you are the body of Christ, and members individually. ²⁸ And God has appointed these in the church: first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, administrations, varieties of tongues. ²⁹ Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Are all workers of miracles? ³⁰ Do all have gifts of healings? Do all speak with tongues? Do all interpret? ³¹ But earnestly desire the best gifts. And yet I show you a more excellent way.

Commentary
Vs. 27 Having concluded his analogy about the various members of the body and how each one is needed because each one serves a needful and useful function, the Apostle Paul now reminds the Corinthians that they collectively are the Body of Christ and members of it individually. Now Paul here does not mean that the Corinthians are the Body of Christ in it's entirety, (for that encompasses all believers everywhere, in every generation), rather collectively they are a microcosm (this thought taken from BBC) of its entirety. And so we are the Body of Christ wherever we gather and worship, and yet members individually. Now belonging to the whole does not mean that we lose our individuality. Rather it is what we bring to it as unique individuals, who have all been individually Spirit gifted to contribute to the whole so that the Body of Christ functions well. Now in order for the Body of Christ to function well there must also be a hierarchy of the Spirit gifts and offices within the Body by which all gifts are exercised.

Vs. 28  "And God has appointed these in the church: first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, administrations, varieties of tongues."

The Apostle Paul listing only these particular gifts seems to be linked with the fact that these were the most prevalent gifts at this time in the early churches history and development. Later though as the Gospel became established others gifts/offices like the preacher, teacher, evangelist came to the forefront as God's revelation for us all through His Word was becoming complete, and thus the Spirit began ministering the Word of God to us all through these (see Eph 4:7-16 and consider that the gifts/offices mentioned there are for the instruction and unity of the church in sound doctrine, and not just it's establishment as with the early sign gifts). And so that continues to this day. 
Now in the list here, apostles is listed first and tongues last, which indicates the apostles priority and authority in the early church. And so even in the early church tongues (a sign gift primarily directed towards Israel) was not a preeminent gift (though the Corinthians made it out to be, and so the Apostle Paul's correction of their doing so). Rather it was first the apostles, then the prophets, then those with the gift of teaching, who were then to teach and instruct what God brought forth through His apostles and prophets. For it was the apostles and prophets who laid the foundation of our faith, of which Christ Himself was the Chief Cornerstone (see Eph. 2:20). And thus all that they commanded and taught (and thus built) by the Spirit guiding them, was being built upon Christ Jesus our Lord and Savior and His Word (consider Rev. 19:10). For it wasn't the sign gifts that brought God's salvation and revelation of His Will and plans for us all who believe, rather it was His Word spoken though His holy apostles and prophets. The sign gifts then gave an early testimony to His Word, first establishing it amongst the early disciples, and then it bore witness to the world that these things were so. And thus having born witness to the Word of God, the Spirit of God in due course of time caused them to cease. For we are all to walk by faith not by sight (see 2 Cor 5:7; Heb 11:1-6), because salvation only comes by believing what God has already done and accomplished, for us all through His Son. We then are all commanded to repent and believe, not seek or demands signs as the unbelieving Jews and Gentiles did and always do. Thus with Israel's collective rejection of the Gospel (until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled), and the Gospel having become well established amongst the Gentiles, and thus the Body of Christ firmly established here on earth, the gift of tongues (and the other sign gifts like miracles) eventually ceased to serve any real purpose in the Gospels ministry, and so the Spirit eventually ceased their operation. Now it should be noted that in the last days various kinds of miracles, which the Scripture calls lying signs and wonders will appear. These though are the work of the devil, and or his ambassadors, who will do these things by his enabling them to do so, by which the world will fall under the deceptions of anti-christ's deceiving power; and so all believers everywhere need to weary of all such things; since they will if possible, even seek to deceive the elect through them (consider Matt 24:24; 2 Thess. 2:9-12; Rev. 13). Thus we who believe are now to beware of all such things for Satan himself even transforms himself into an angel of light (2 Cor 11:13-15), deceiving people even to think that they themselves have seen visions of Jesus, when in fact the next time Jesus appears it won't be to any single individual, but to humanity collectively, as He brings all the living believers on earth and the dead in Christ to Himself before He renders His wrath and judgment on the unbelieving world (1 Thess 4:13-5:3). Therefore dont' be deceived by such things, instead repent and believe the Gospel while you can so that you might be redeemed from all your sins and transgressions, and saved the wrath to come (Luke 21:34-36; Rev. 22:12-17).

Now the gifts of miracles and healings was the Holy Spirit doing miracles and healing people through those believers so equipped. Often it was the apostles who demonstrated this miraculous ability most powerfully (Acts 5:12-16; 14:3, 8-10; 19:11-12; 2 Cor. 12:12 etc.). Yet they themselves never exalted themselves through being so gifted, nor did they exalt these gifts (as they are given fourth and fifth in listing here), rather it was always the Lord Jesus Christ and what He has done to redeem us all through His death on the cross and Resurrection from the grave which was always exalted by their doing so (thus if it doesn't bring Christ glory it's not from God). These gifts then served as an early witness, and thus gave testimony to that reality of Christ's life, death, Resurrection, ascension, and thus His salvation which is freely available to all who repent and believe in Him.

Next listed is the gift of helps (it is sixth in the list). Outside of having a desire to help or assist others, the Spirit given gift of helps actually enables one to do so. Giving one understanding or abilities where these did not before exist within that individual. And so the gift of helps not only covers a broad spectrum of possibilities, but it clearly has a role to fulfill in the church Body today.

Administrations: This word literally means "to steer", as in the pilot of a ship, and thus figuratively to rule in government, to give Divine direction (TDNTA page 1035-37). It is then a Spirit given gift/ability given to those Christ has chosen to lead or direct the affairs in the local church. This gift then is associated with the positions of Bishop (i.e. Pastor), deacon, and elder, as the NKJ describes them. Hence in order then to serve in any of those capacities one must have this Spirit gift, for it is the Spirit of God who directs the men He so equips, and thus makes them most effective in their service. Now that is it's primary sense, providing leadership. In a secondary sense this word is also used in the Septuagint (i.e. the ancient Greek translation of the Hebrew O.T.), describing those who give wise counsel (Prov. 1:5; 11:14; 24:6). So that aspect of being able to counsel others wisely is inherent to it. Finally in the N.T. this form of the word does not appear outside of this verse, rather it's function does, as in the passages like: Rom 12:8; 1 Tim 3:4-5; 5:17; Heb 13:17, 24 etc. 

Varieties of tongues: The Spirit gift appears first after the Holy Spirit's outpouring, and yet last in the list of Spirit given gifts after the Gospel and the church had become established. And so we see the natural shift in priorities, as the Gospel preached and believed on brings salvation to the soul, not speaking in tongues. Thus the priority should not be on trying to maintain tongues speaking, but on preaching the Good News in a easily understood language, as the Apostle makes clear in chapter 14, where he commends the gift of prophecy to the church, not tongues. That said tongues speaking still existed at this point in the early church's development and so we will briefly look at this Spirit gift here. First thing to note is that there were a variety of tongues languages that the Spirit gave to believers so equipped, these may have been actually languages as was the case in Acts chapter two, or these may have been "tongues of angels" (1 Cor 13:1) that then needed interpretation by someone given the Spirit gift of interpretation in order to be rightly understood, and thus be of any use to the church (or anyone else) in giving a word of exhortation or encouragement etc. (which is a principal theme in 1 Cor 14 where this gift is discussed in detail, see vs. 6-18). Thus if there was no interpretation then those who spoke with tongues were to speak silently to himself and God (1 Cor 14:28) and not disrupt the assembly (1 Cor 14:26-33). Outside of that exhortation there has been much abuse and reckless use of this gift, especially in the twenty-twenty first centuries where people in seeking to revive the practices of the early church took it upon themselves to diligently seek out this gift and try to exemplify it again. Something that no one should ever presume to do since it is the Spirit who gives His Spirit gifts according to His own Will, not anyone elses. And thus where people have diligently sought to exemplify this gift, making it the priority, when it's not, it's preaching the Gospel that is the priority (Rev. 19:10), some have been deceived and even overtaken by demon spirits, who can take control of ones tongue or body. The difference then between Biblical tongues speaking and any other sort of spirit manifestations in the church amongst believers is that the Spirit of God never threw anyone to the ground, or caused them to speak blasphemy, or act in bizarre ways, or utter complete nonsense. All the Spirit of God did and does has inherently within it an element of self-control (Gal. 5:23). Thus any tongues speaking that does not exemplify this fruit of the Spirit cannot be said to be of the Spirit of God. 

Vs. 29-31 ²⁹ Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Are all workers of miracles? ³⁰ Do all have gifts of healings? Do all speak with tongues? Do all interpret? ³¹ But earnestly desire the best gifts. And yet I show you a more excellent way.

The Apostle Paul's question here harkens back to his original exhortation that the Body of Christ is by God's design, and Spirit gifting each believer as He wills, intentionally diverse. And thus Paul's question here is only looking for the Corinthians own affirmation to this with their giving a resounding no! For as the Apostle Paul has already made the case not all are apostles, or prophets, or teachers, or workers of miracles, or have the gift of healings, or speak with tongues, or interpret tongues. And thus to say that the baptism of the Spirit is known in the speaking of tongues is to be teaching utterly contrary to Word of God (as the BBC rightly notes in it's commentary on these verses) because every believer is already "baptized" by the Spirit into Christ the moment we believe, and thus we do not need, nor will we receive any other "baptisms" by the Spirit of God. And so speaking in tongues is in no way a universal indication of this; of one being born-again by the Spirit of God; because speaking in tongues is not a universal gift, and thus it can in no way indicate this. For only in the early church did it initially indicate to the Jewish believers there that God had given them the Holy Spirit (Acts 2), then later it indicated to them that God had also accepted the Samaritans (Acts 8:14-17), and finally the Gentiles (Acts 10:44-48). Outside of that there was only a small group of twelve men who having only been baptized with the baptism of John (and thus who did not have the full revelation of the Lord Jesus Christ) and so these also demonstrated the gift of tongues upon their receiving the Holy Spirit, when the Apostle Paul preached the Gospel to them and laid hands on them. And thus God did so to affirm to Paul, and to them, that they too had been received by Him and thus baptized into Christ. And so early on these things were necessary as the church was growing in it's understanding of the will and outworking of God. But as the Apostles understanding about the Gospel, and expecially the grace of God which brings salvation by faith in the Lord Jesus Christ to one and to all through it became settled in their minds (see Acts 15), these sorts of signs to indicate this to them ceased to need to be. And so any thoughts about tongues speaking now as being a universal sign of one who has been baptized by the Holy Spirit is utterly misguided. For as the Apostle goes on to say in verse 31 we are all to now earnestly desire the best gifts, not the least, which is listed here as tongues speaking. For this gift from the Spirit of God has already served it's primary purpose (in fulfilmment of prophecy, as a witness to the nation of Israel), and thus it is the best gifts that we are to desire, which as we will see are also surpassed by the greatest gift of all, which is God's love working in us and through us all who believe. 

Scripture Quotations
The New King James Version. Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1982.


Additional Resources Consulted
MacDonald, William. Believer’s Bible Commentary: Old and New Testaments. Edited by Arthur Farstad. Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1995.

Kittel, Gerhard, Gerhard Friedrich, and Geoffrey William Bromiley. Theological Dictionary of the New Testament. Grand Rapids, MI: W.B. Eerdmans, 1985.

Louw, J. P., & Nida, E. A. (1996). Greek-English lexicon of the New Testament: based on semantic domains (electronic ed. of the 2nd edition., Vol. 1, p. 465). New York: United Bible Societies.

1 Corinthians 12:12-26

¹² For as the body is one and has many members, but all the members of that one body, being many, are one body, so also is Christ. ¹³ For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free—and have all been made to drink into one Spirit. ¹⁴ For in fact the body is not one member but many. ¹⁵ If the foot should say, “Because I am not a hand, I am not of the body,” is it therefore not of the body? ¹⁶ And if the ear should say, “Because I am not an eye, I am not of the body,” is it therefore not of the body? ¹⁷ If the whole body were an eye, where would be the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where would be the smelling? ¹⁸ But now God has set the members, each one of them, in the body just as He pleased. ¹⁹ And if they were all one member, where would the body be? ²⁰ But now indeed there are many members, yet one body. ²¹ And the eye cannot say to the hand, “I have no need of you”; nor again the head to the feet, “I have no need of you.” ²² No, much rather, those members of the body which seem to be weaker are necessary. ²³ And those members of the body which we think to be less honorable, on these we bestow greater honor; and our unpresentable parts have greater modesty, ²⁴ but our presentable parts have no need. But God composed the body, having given greater honor to that part which lacks it, ²⁵ that there should be no schism in the body, but that the members should have the same care for one another. ²⁶ And if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; or if one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it.

Commentary

Vs. 12 "For as the body is one and has many members, but all the members of that one body, being many, are one body, so also is Christ."

The Apostle Paul having mentioned the various giftings of the Spirit given to each believer as He wills. Now draws an analogy of the Body of Christ and all it's members with that of the human body. And so just as the human body has different members with different functions, so is the Body of Christ. Now Paul's analogy should not be restricted to just Spirit gifts (though that is inherently a part of it given the context), but must also include the diversity of people that God calls to Himself, who all make up the Body of Christ. That is the Apostles main point in this section, to help us all see the: "Unity and Diversity in One Body", as the NKJ paragraph heading so simply states it. 

Vs. 13 "For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free—and have all been made to drink into one Spirit." 

The imperative thought here is that we were all baptized into one body by one Spirit. Whether Jews or Greeks (i.e. Gentiles), whether slaves or free; (thus whatever sort of class, social, or cultural distinctions that defined or categorized us before our salvation); all who believe in the Lord Jesus Christ have been baptized into one Body of believers by one Spirit. There is then just One Holy Spirit who not only baptized us all who believe in the Lord Jesus Christ into one Body the moment we believed in Christ (see Eph. 1:13-14). But it is the same Spirit who also equips us with differing Spirit gifts and offices according to His own will. Thus we have all been made to drink into One Spirit, for it is God's Spirit alone who both baptizes us into Christ, as well as unites us all In Christ, who is the Head of the Body. There is then only One Body, One Spirit, One baptism (see Eph. 4:3-6). 

Vs. 14 "For in fact the body is not one member but many." 

The Body of Christ is not just made up of one member, like the human body there are many different members of it, with unique functions and purposes, yet all make up the same body. And so the Body of Christ is not just made up from one nation, race, culture, gender, or generation of people, but it is made up of us all who believe in the Lord Jesus Christ in whatever generation we believe; who once were not a people, but now we are the people of God (see 1 Peter 2:9-10). Similarly the Body of Christ is not just one Spirit gift. And thus the Body of Christ consists of not just "one member"; that is one type of Spirit gifting or activity; but by God's design it is made up of many different parts which do and perform many different functions. There is then in the Body of Christ not just one type of Spirit gift, but many. Each having its own God given purpose, function, and Spirit enabling/empowering. The human body then is a perfect way to analogize this, and not just the diversity of the Body of Christ, but also the interdependence that is the Body of Christ as well.

Vs. 15-16 ¹⁵ If the foot should say, “Because I am not a hand, I am not of the body,” is it therefore not of the body? ¹⁶ And if the ear should say, “Because I am not an eye, I am not of the body,” is it therefore not of the body? 

The Apostle Paul's questions here are meant to reaffirm to us each and every member of the Body of Christ as being not only a part of Christ, but also a necessary member of His Body. For just as the human body has hands and feet, ears and eyes etc., so too does the Body of Christ have many different members with many different functions. And thus though these are distinct from one another, they are all still a part of the body. For just as all the natural parts of the human body are distinct in some way, yet they're all apart of that same body. The same then is absolutely true of the Body of Christ and the various and diverse members of it. Now what makes us all apart of the Body of Christ is not how we are Spirit gifted, rather it is the Spirit of God who has baptized us all who believe in the Lord Jesus Christ into His Body of believers of which He is the Head, for that alone makes us a member of the Body of Christ, the indwelling of the Holy Spirit within us (Rom 8:9). Everything else that is seen is basically irreverent as this pertains to our standing with God in Christ. Therefore if you don't exercise the same Spirit gift as another don't fret about it, for it's not the gift you exercise that makes you, it's the Spirit of God inside of you that makes you belong to Christ.

Vs. 17-19  ¹⁷ If the whole body were an eye, where would be the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where would be the smelling? ¹⁸ But now God has set the members, each one of them, in the body just as He pleased. ¹⁹ And if they were all one member, where would the body be?


In verse seventeen the Apostle Paul embraces the diversity of the body, using a simply analogy he makes it clear that each member of the body though distinct brings it's own giftedness to the whole. Now in case anyone should question this diversity of gifts and people and personalities and such in the Body of Christ the Apostle Paul now states that it is God Himself who has set each one of them in the body as He pleased (vs. 18). And so returning too his initial thought in verse seventeen, the Apostle makes it clear this diversity amongst the members is necessary, for without it where would the body be if all exercised the same Spirit gift. Or all did the same function in the local church. There needs to be many different members, contributing their different gifts and talents and such to make the whole function well. 


Vs. 20 "But now indeed there are many members, yet one body." 

Many members, yet one body. Thus many different members with many different gifts, talents, life experiences, cultural backgrounds etc. and yet there is just one body of believers, just as the human body has many different members (i.e. parts), yet each memebr belongs too and contributes to the whole. 

Vs. 21 And the eye cannot say to the hand, “I have no need of you”; nor again the head to the feet, “I have no need of you.” 

The eye may see, but what it sees it can't handle. Same with the head it may think, yet it cannot move itself around without the feet. And so neither can say, "I have no need of you". So is the Body of Christ and all us believers with all of our various Spirit given gifts or talents. We may excel in one area, and yet in another we lack. Or we may have great plans and ideas, and yet we can in no way execute them without the assistance and support of the other members of the body. Thus no one in the body of Christ, no matter how gifted they think they are is to think themselves independent of the others.

Vs. 22 "No, much rather, those members of the body which seem to be weaker are necessary."

Indeed the Apostle Paul says those members which seem to be weaker are necessary. Consider if you will Anna the elderly widow in Lukes gospel who served the Lord night and day with fastings and prayers. By all outward appearances she wouldn't have garnered a second glance from the multitudes who daily made their way into and out of the Temple. And yet there she was serving the Lord night and day who in acknowledgment of her service choose her to be one of His first witnesses after His birth.  And so long before there were Apostles, there was Anna, the Lord's faithful servant. 

Vs. 23-25 "And those members of the body which we think to be less honorable, on these we bestow greater honor; and our unpresentable parts have greater modesty, ²⁴ but our presentable parts have no need. But God composed the body, having given greater honor to that part which lacks it, ²⁵ that there should be no schism in the body, but that the members should have the same care for one another. 

Those members which we think less honorable, on these we are bestow greater honor. Now this is 
stated twice in these verses of Scripture, so it's emphasis, that is incumbent upon us all, should not be understated. While the unpresentable parts of the body we are to have greater modesty. Thus certain parts of body inherently lack in honor, (and thus should receive honor and acknowledgement from us for the contributions and good that they do and make towards the whole), while other parts of the body require greater modest care. And so these are things we can all individually and collectively do (vs. 23). While our presentable parts have no need (vs. 24). For these are already well regarded for their position and or place they hold in the body, and thus generally are not lacking in honor. While those members of body which are thought as "less honorable" often serve the whole in a no less valuable and needful ways, and yet these often go unnoticed for their service, contribution, and or commitment to the Lord's Body. Therefore as the Apostle Paul says here, we are to give greater honor to those who lack. Not just because it's right to exalt the lowly (consider Luke 1:52; James 1:9-11), but because this is how God composed the Body, "having given greater honor to that part which lacks it," so that there should be no schism in the body, but the members should have the same care for one another. For ultimately the solution to schisms (i.e. divisions) in the church (or just about anywhere else) is to treat all members of the body with a mutual care and concern (vs. 25). Therefore since we are Jesus' disciples, let us all show mutual love and concern for each other; for not only is this is our single most important witness to the world and duty to Christ, but ultimately to each other as well (John 13:35; 1 Cor 13). 

Vs. 26 "And if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; or if one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it."

Therefore if one member suffers than all are to suffer with it, or if one is honored than all are to rejoice with it. For the body's unity isn't just found in doctrine, or purpose, but in sharing in each others pain and rejoicing in each others being honored. For to share in each others sufferings is to live and love like Christ. Similarly to rejoice in each others exaltation (i.e. being honored) is to celebrate what God has done through that individual, which again strengthens the whole. And so these are things which we all should do because the joy of the Lord that comes through the Spirit, is most effectively released in us and through us, when we do what is good and right in the eyes of the Lord. 

Scripture Quotation
The New King James Version. Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1982.

1 Corinthians 12:1-11

¹ Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I do not want you to be ignorant: ² You know that you were Gentiles, carried away to these dumb idols, however you were led. ³ Therefore I make known to you that no one speaking by the Spirit of God calls Jesus accursed, and no one can say that Jesus is Lord except by the Holy Spirit. ⁴ There are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. ⁵ There are differences of ministries, but the same Lord. ⁶ And there are diversities of activities, but it is the same God who works all in all. ⁷ But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all: ⁸ for to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, to another the word of knowledge through the same Spirit, ⁹ to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healings by the same Spirit, ¹⁰ to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another discerning of spirits, to another different kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. ¹¹ But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually as He wills.

Commentary

Vs. 1-2 ¹ Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I do not want you to be ignorant: ² You know that you were Gentiles, carried away to these dumb idols, however you were led. 

The Apostle Paul before addressing true Spiritual gifts wants to make clarify for them what is of the Holy Spirit and what is just of demon spirits which are associated with idols and their worship (see Lev. 17:7; Deut. 32:17; 2 Chr. 11:15; 1 Cor. 10:20; Rev. 9:20). And thus he says, "Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I do not want you to be ignorant", that is ignorant of what is a gift of the Holy Spirit of God and what is not. Since any work of the Holy Spirit by any true Spiritual discernment will not contravene the Word of God, and thus the fruits of the Holy Spirit as revealed in it (Gal 5:22-23), nor any revelation given us that has already come through it. Thus if one does not have control of ones tongue and body (as Paul makes clear in 1 Cor 14 when he addresses tongues and prophesy usage in the assembly, with prophesy as the far greater gift), than that spirit is not from the Holy Spirit of God. It is either just a work of flesh, or of demon spirits.

Vs. 3 "Therefore I make known to you that no one speaking by the Spirit of God calls Jesus accursed, and no one can say that Jesus is Lord except by the Holy Spirit."

Therefore in discerning "the spirituals", the Apostle Paul now says, "no one speaking by the Spirit of God calls Jesus accursed." Jesus is Lord. Thus for anyone to say that Jesus is accursed then they are most definitely not speaking by the Holy Spirit of God whose purpose in coming into believing mankind and manifesting God's Spiritual Presence and gifts through us is to glorify God's Son the Lord Jesus Christ, and thus make Him known to one and to all, so that all might believe and receive Christ for themselves. Therefore anyone who claims to be speaking by the Holy Spirit of God, yet would speak a word against the Lord Jesus' Christ's Glorious Person, Name, or His salvation, which is freely offered to one and to all, is not speaking by the Holy Spirit of God. Therefore having addressed the erroneous, the Apostle Paul now states the obvious, and that is that "no one can say Jesus is Lord except by the Holy Spirit."  For it is the Holy Spirit who brings each and every believer to Spiritual life and into union with Christ. Thus any believer can easily say Jesus is Lord because the Holy Spirit is the Person of God now in their lives. For outside of Holy Spirit union with Christ confession that Jesus is Lord is not possible. And that is how one distinguishes the Holy Spirit of God from a demonic spirit. The Spirit of God always seeks to glorify Christ through those who believe in Him, while Satan always seeks to undermine the Lord and His own, through his own. 

Vs. 4-6 ⁴ There are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. ⁵ There are differences of ministries, but the same Lord. ⁶ And there are diversities of activities, but it is the same God who works all in all. 

Gifts, ministries, activities. First gifts, these are Spirit gifts that are given by the Spirit of God to each individual believer as He wills (vs. 11). Notice then there is a diversity of gifts in the Body of Christ, yet it is the same Spirit who gives them. Thus unity for us is not found in conformity to one Spirit gift, because there are a diversity of gifts which are all given by the Holy Spirit of God, who gives gifts to each believing individual as He wills. Beware then of any assembly that lays stress on any one gift, or of it being the mark of anything, because the Spirit of God and Scripture do not. 

Similarly there are differences of ministries as well as diversities of activities, but the same Lord. Thus we have Christian ministries and activities that serve the church and believers there, and we have Christian ministries and activities that serve the Lord's purposes outside of it. There are then innumerable types of Christian ministries and activities in every era and in every culture that serve the Kingdom of heavens purposes. Again some take place in the church, and some outside of it. Yet all have the same Lord, being born out of His life and Godly desires within us all who believe to do good wherever and whenever we can. Thus each one is of the Lord, and each one will be recompensed by the Lord according to the work that was done for Him. Now if you don't know where your ministry is, please consider that where there is a need there is a ministry, and start there. 

Vs. 7 "But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all"

First and foremost the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each believer for the profit of all. Thus it is for the churches profit that the Holy Spirit gives us these gifts and seeks to manifest the gifts He gives through us. And so where the churches edification is being sought, there the Holy Spirit is at work, ministering and manifesting the Gospel by His power through the gifts He gives us for the profit of all. Now in contrast to that, where bitter envy, self-seeking, and confusion exist, there every evil thing will be. For just as Jesus' Life and Ministry was not for Himself so the Spirit of God's ministering His gifts to us and through us to us is not about Him exalting Himself, His gifts, nor anyone else, but only building up the church and ultimately glorifying Christ. And thus whatever is not being done in accord with the fruits of the Holy Spirit of God (see Gal. 5:22-23) should not be attributed with the outworkings of the Holy Spirit of God (see James 3:13-18, vs. 15, also 1 Cor 14:33). For the manifestation of the Spirit is for the profit of all, not the individual believer, though the individual believer can and should be edified as the gifts of the Spirit are at work in the church through our persons and lives. But if the focus is on oneself, on one manifesting or trying to manifest a particular gift, then the focus is all wrong and door is left wide open for Satan to come and manifest counterfeit spiritual gifts. Thus the fruits of the Spirit manifest the true character of God and Christ in each one of us who believe in Him wherever we are. While the gifts of the Spirit are given us primarily for the profit and building up of the church or family of God in love (Eph 4:1-16).

Vs. 8 "for to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, to another the word of knowledge through the same Spirit"

Notice first that the Apostle Paul says, "for to one is given...", a gift. Thus from the outset the Apostle Paul makes it clear that not all receive, or will receive, the same gift. That said, each believer will receive at least one gift, and more than likely others as they progress in their faith, though again that is up to the Spirit of God to decide and give to each one as He wills. And so it is that through the Spirit all gifts are given. Now the first two mentioned are wisdom and knowledge. Now both of these gifts have similarities in that both involve the mind, and both give one understanding, which comes directly from God through the Spirit, and is definitely in accord with God's revealed Word. As well both of these gifts are often manifested through the Spirit's speaking gifts and or "offices", i.e. prophecy, teaching, evangelism, exhortation etc., and so they are mentioned together. Yet both are not limited to being manifested through verbal communication, though that is the primary means of their being manifested through believers so equipped, and is the emphasis the Apostle stresses here.
Now the gift of wisdom is mentioned first, which is the Spirit of God giving the word of wisdom (Gr. sophia) too and then revealing it through the believers He chooses to equip with this gift. Thus the gift of wisdom is the Spirit ability to declare and bring forth Divine truths and insights. Hence the wisdom mentioned here is not mans acquired or learned "wisdom". Levels of education or training by no means then indicate one having God's gift of wisdom. Rather the gift of wisdom comes only by the Spirit of God in support of the Gospel and God's Word, bringing forth Divine truths, insights, and understanding to the church and believers within it. As well by the Spirit the gift of the word of wisdom also brings forth insights and understanding to all kinds of matters and affairs; whether this is regarding the church and it's affairs, or the family, or even counseling believers individually. Just as the the prophet Isaiah forseeing Christ, declares of Jesus:
“The Lord GOD has given Me
 The tongue of the learned,
 That I should know how to speak
 A word in season to him who is weary." Isaiah 50:4
And so giving wise and Godly counsel by the Spirit, who again brings forth a word of wisdom that is insightful, and thus very helpful, for those facing difficult situations and circumstances is one way the Spirit uses this gift of the word of wisdom to help strengthen the church and the believers within it. Another way is in preaching and teaching the Word of God, and thus presenting the Gospel. Now in the early church one of the earliest and best examples of the Holy Spirit deploying the gift of wisdom is through the Apostle Peter and his preaching the Gospel immediately after Pentecost. The incredible illumination of the Scriptures in his preaching truly shows a man who is filled not only with the Spirit of God, but is also manifesting the gift of the word of wisdom in his preaching the Gospel. On one occasion in particular the Apostles Peter and John having Supernaturally healed a crippled man by the Holy Spirit's Power in the Temple; which then serve as a platform for them to preach the Gospel to all there; and so it was while doing so that the Apostles Peter and John are arrested, taken into custody, and then later brought before the Sanhedrin council. Now it was when they are before the Sanhedrin council, that the Apostle Peter will make not only a defense for themselves, but also he will make an irrefutable defense of the gospel (see Acts 4:5-12). And so it is having made their defense, the Scripture then states of the high priest and those of the Sanhedrin council assembled there,  "Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated and untrained men, they marveled." Acts 4:13  Notice that by the Sanhedrin councils own assessments of them, both Peter and John were "untrained and uneducated men". And yet they speak with such boldness and wisdom that the highly trained and educated men of the counsel cannot refute them, nor the Gospel they preached to them, and thus they marvel at them. Likely much like those in Jesus' hometown did when they first heard Him preach (see Matt 13:54-58). And with that they are only left with threatening them, and warning them to speak no more in Jesus' Name (see Acts 4:14-22). And thus through Peter and John we see the the Spirit empowering them to reason and speak Scriptural truth with great wisdom and boldness so that Christ may be revealed and God glorified through them.
Similarly we also see this gift of wisdom (and the understanding and ability it gives one) displayed through the martyr Stephen, whose defense of the Gospel before the Sanhedrin counsel is another excellent outworking of it (see Acts 6:8-7:60). Now Jesus also promises this ability to all who believe in Him when we are likewise brought before councils, tribunals, and courts of men for our faith in Him (see Matt 10:18-20; Luke 21:15). Though that is not what is being presented here as a gift of the Holy Spirit, for that is an ability to speak a word of wisdom in that moment, while what is being presented here is the gift of the word of wisdom from God which the Holy Spirit distributes to us who believe as He wills. Thus a word of wisdom which not only empowers "the foolish" in the eyes of this world, (that is those who believe, trust in, and ultimately seek to obey Christ) to bring forth Divine insights and understanding which ultimately confounds "the wise" of it (see 1 Cor 1:18-30). But God also brings forth His Words of wisdom, and thus Godly counsel through individuals so equipped. Just as we see in the prophets Joseph and Daniel who God used mightily in the pagan societies they dwelt to accomplish His purposes, and bring forth His Word. Even interpreting dreams as they did, was a by-product of God empowering Joseph and Daniel by the Spirit to do so, though that is not the exclusive domain of the gift of wisdom, but also discernment as well.
And thus the gift of wisdom not only empowers one to understand, but also how to speak or present Scriptural insights well, making them accessible to all who believe. Wisdom then is a critical gift in the body of Christ for it's running smoothly, effectively, and efficiently. Now the gift of wisdom begins with Christ Himself who is God's Wisdom Personified, who by His life, Crucifixion death and Resurrection from the dead has made available to us all God's Wisdom, which brings peace and truth to us all who believe in Him, and by His Spirit makes us all effective and fruitful in our lives.

Now the gift of knowledge is the Supernatural impartation by the Holy Spirit of knowledge of what is not known. It is distinguished from wisdom in that the gift of the word of wisdom primarily gives one a Divine Word to speak with insight and understanding appropriate to a situation or circumstance, while through the gift of the word of knowledge God through the same Spirit is revealing something directly to the believer who is equipped with this gift, usually as this relates to His Word. The Apostle Paul was clearly equipped with this gift (and many others as well) as his knowledge of the Gospel did not come through the instruction of man, but rather the revelation of the Lord Jesus Christ (Gal. 1:11-12; Eph. 3:3-5).  That said, all believers must now be very leery of anyone claiming to have new knowledge of God or His salvation. For the faith has been once and for all delivered to the saints (Jude 3). Thus with the closing of the canon of Scripture this gift now primarily enables the believer who in diligently seeking the truth in God's Word is Supernaturally guided into a true knowledge of God through it.

Vs. 9 "to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healings by the same Spirit" 
The gift of faith is simply the Spirit given ability to trust God to do not only great things, but also things that could not be accomplished by mere mortal means (consider Matt. 21:18-21). Thus one can see how this gift can not only inspire others in their faith, but also help one achieve those impossible things which only God can receive the credit for doing. Mentioned next is the gift of healings. Though seemingly separate gifts, it is always ones faith in the Lord and His ability to heal them that brought about ones healing in the Gospel (consider Matt. 9:22; 9:28-29; 15:28; 17:19; 18:42; Luke 5:17-25, vs. 20;  James 5:15 etc.). Same in the early church where this gift finds it's most active and powerful manifestations through the Apostles, which in the case of the Apostle Peter usually precipitated his then preaching the Gospel (as in Acts 3:1-26). And thus this gift wasn't so much about supernaturally healing people, though that is what the Spirit did through those He equipped with it in the early church; and thus brought much comfort to the church, as when Dorcas was healed (see Acts 9:36-43); rather through through the gift of healing, "with great power the apostles gave witness to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus..." Acts 4:33 Which is fully in accord with Jesus' exhortation in Mark 16:14-18 when He promised to do these things through them. And so the gift of healings I believe was given primarily to serve as a powerful and undeniable witness to the Lord Jesus' Christ's Resurrection. Thus healing someone and preaching the Kingdom of heaven went hand in hand in the Apostles ministry (consider Luke 9:1-2). That said, this Spirit ability, and then gift, which was first bestowed upon the twelve, and later was seen in the early church, especially through the Apostles, really tapers off as more and more revelation is given to the Apostles. Which in many ways parallels Israel's rejection of the Gospel as a nation, and the Gentiles acceptance of it. Thus this gift of healings, and the various others sign gifts which were so frequent in the early years immediately after Pentecost to demonstrate the truth of the Gospel through the Apostles, occur far less frequently, and take a far less prominent role, as the church grows in it's faith and understanding. For the Word preached and believed is the only means of salvation. Therefore the faith having now been delivered once and all to the saints (Jude 3) we must all now "walk by faith not by sight" (2 Cor 5:7). Therefore we are not to be signs and wonders, or preaching wisdom, but only Christ crucified for the remission of our sins, and thus everyone putting their faith in Him for their eternal salvation (1 Cor. 1:18-25, vs. 22).

Vs. 10 "to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another discerning of spirits, to another different kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues." 

The Apostle Paul now mentions five Spirit gifts: miracles, prophecy, discerning of spirits, different kinds of tongues and the interpretation of tongues. 

First up is the gift of miracles (literally "power"). Miracles here refers to those Supernatural acts which come through the Holy Spirit's Power. From casting out demons, (and thus exercising God's Authority and Power over Satan and all his domain) to raising the dead (thus exercising God's Power over death, which itself is a sign of God's salvation having come to redeem mankind from sin and death), to exercising God's Power over all the natural elements and "laws" of physics as Jesus did in calming the sea, walking on water, and rising from the dead on the third day etc. And so this sign gift gives an irrefutable testimony to Jesus' Person as Messiah, of His having come, but also of His having risen from the dead, as the Lord's Apostles also later demonstrated in His Name, as Jesus said they would (Acts 1:8), doing various kinds of miracles, casting out demons, curing diseases, and even raising the dead back to life, for Jesus Christ alone has God's Power/Authority over all seen and unseen forces (Acts 2:22; 10:38). Therefore after Christ's Resurrection from the dead, the Holy Spirit equipped and empowered believers whom He gifted to do so, to manifest Christ's miraculous power as a witness for Christ (Acts 5:12-16; 14:3; 15:12; 19:11; Heb. 2:4). Now their being enabled to do so has two key elements. First is it appears the Apostles were the ones primarily equipped to do so (Acts 2:43; 5:12-16; 14:3; 15:12; 2 Cor 2:12 etc.), though others in the early church like Stephen and Philip were also empowered by the Spirit to do so (Acts 6:8; 8:5-8). Which was in accord with the Apostles prayer that they would receive Spirit power to be Christ's witnesses through such gifting (Acts 4:23-31, vs. 30), just as Jesus already promised them that they would receive (Acts 1:8). As well though they themselves could do miracles by the Spirit's empowering them, they themselves could not bestow their gift (or any other Spirit gift) upon anyone else. For that alone is up to the Spirit of God to decide (1 Cor 12:11; Heb 2:4). And so their exercising the gift of miracles by the Spirit of God was so that Christ's Name would be magnified in the world and ultimately believed on (Acts 8:6-8; Rom 15:19 etc.). Now if a supernatural act (i.e. a miracle) does not point people to Christ and thus bring people into saving knowledge of God through it, then it is not from God. For Satan has his own agents in this world, whom he also enables to manifest supernatural power, yet his power is limited in it's scope and range; it does not enter into the realm of the Kingdom of God. And so it cannot bring anyone to Spiritual union with Christ and thus everlasting life. Therefore it does not redeem nor transform anyone, nor can it turn anyone away from lawlessness to righteousness (2 Thess. 2:9-12), and thus from the power of Satan to God (Acts 26:28). And so Spirit discernment is a valuable gift to have around when this gift is exercised, or reported to have been exercised, because not all that supernaturally occurs is of God (Deut. 13:1-18; Matt. 24:24; 2 Cor 11:12-15; 1 John 4:1). 

Prophecy: The gift of prophecy is one of the most important gifts in the Body of Christ being mentioned only second after that of apostle (see 1 Cor 12:28). In Old Testament times God spoke His Word through His prophets and thus revealed His Word and Will to the people through them (Rom 1:2). However in these last days God has spoken to us all directly through His Son Jesus who is the Prophet to come (Deut. 18:15, 18-19; Heb. 1:1). Therefore at the heart of the Spirit given gift of prophecy is the testimony of Christ, for this is the spirit of prophecy (Rev. 19:10). And so the believer who is equipped with the gift of prophecy, though God through them may reveal future events happening (see Acts 11:27-30 and consider Deut. 18:21-22), that is not their primary purpose in the church. Their primary purpose is to make sure Christ through Gospel remains front and center, and God's people remain loyal to Christ by Keeping His Word. And thus the gift of prophecy is very closely related to the gift of teaching, as these two gifts often have overlapping ministries with each other (consider Acts 13:1). Now a by-product of this solemn duty is exhorting and encouraging and strengthening all believers in their faith to do so, as both Judas and Silas did after the Apostles settled the matter of believers and our relationship to the law once and for all (See Acts 15, vs. 32-33). Thus the gift of prophecy is always about declaring the Divine Will as revealed in the Divine Word. The gift of prophecy then is primarily about declaring the written Word of God and exhorting God's peoples' obedience to it. And so like the O.T. prophets, those gifted with the gift of prophecy, though having a very strong loyalty towards God's people, will stand outside of God's people when they have departed from God's Word (consider Jeremiah 15:19-21). And that is what the person with the gift of prophecy brings to the church, an unwavering loyalty to the Word of God, even when God's people have strayed from it. Thus their ministry in the church is often focused towards the leadership of it, seeking them, exhorting them, encouraging them, praying for them to remain loyal to it, or if needed calling the leadership individually, or the congregation collectively back to faithfulness and obedience to the Lord through it. For it is the Word of God alone which sanctifies us all, just as Jesus prayed for us all to be sanctified by it (John 17:17). Thus the person with the gift of prophecy is not interested in the latest "spiritual" trends or "new" moral standards that now even embrace homosexuality, for that abomination will be ruin of all those who are doing so (Prov 5:21-23). Rather the person with the gift of prophecy wants to see all of God's people excel at whatever endeavours He places in their hearts to do and pursue, which can only happen as we keep His Word, and thus remain faithful and loyal to His Son (consider 2 Chr. 16:7-10, vs. 9).

Discerning of spirits: This is the Spirit given ability to detect what is of the Holy Spirit and what is not. Especially regarding the words and the works of false prophets and false teachers who profess much but posses little. Now every believer is to "test the spirits" (see 1 John 4:1-3), however not every believer has the Spirit discernment to detect what spiritual activities are of God and what are not, and this is why the gift of discernment is so critical. Which maybe why this gift is listed before the last two mentioned, different kinds of tongues and the interpretation of tongues.

Different kinds of tongues: In it's primary sense this is the Spirit given ability to speak in a foreign language that one has never learned. In a secondary sense it involved speaking in tongues of angels (see 1 Cor 13:1, 14:1-40). It's manifestation was primarily for and towards the Jews as a sign to them in fulfilment of prophecy (see Isaiah 28:11-12; Acts 2). It's later manifestation in the church was to governed by self control and always interpreted (see 1 Cor 14:1-40). It's manifestation then, like the other sign gifts, usually precipitated preaching the Gospel, as the Apostle Peter did in Acts 2-3 where the tongues languages spoken immediately after Pentecost by the Apostles entailed their speaking in known languages to the Jews from around the Roman empire who had gathered in Jerusalem for the yearly feast. And so it was that the Jews there hearing the Apostles speaking the praises of God in the various languages and dialects from the regions that they came from were greatly moved and began to question what these things meant (see Acts 2:6-12) which then precipitated the Apostle Peter speaking the Gospel to them in a language known to them all (likely either in Hebrew or Greek). Tongues is a controversial gift since there are both counterfeit and false manifestations of it.

Interpretation of tongues:  This is the Spirit given ability to interpret the different kinds of tongues languages that the Spirit has supernaturally given. These two gifts then when given by the Spirit of God are never to operate independent of each other. 

Scripture Quotations
The New King James Version. (1982). (Ac 4:33). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.

Additional Resources Consulted 
Kittel, G., Friedrich, G., & Bromiley, G. W. (1985). Theological Dictionary of the New Testament (p. 953). Grand Rapids, MI: W.B. Eerdmans.

MacDonald, W. (1995). Believer’s Bible Commentary: Old and New Testaments. (A. Farstad, Ed.) (pp. 1791–1792). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.
Strong, J. (1995). Enhanced Strong’s Lexicon. Woodside Bible Fellowship