Corinthian Christian Gifts

Introduction: The Corinthian Christians were status seekers who judged themselves and others with their spiritual gifts. “They regard their gift to be an official notarization from the Spirit that they are truly spiritual, and they may be insisting that others owe them esteem and deference,” (Garland, 558). Due to the irregularities in the worship service, a letter was written to Paul concerning the role of spiritual gifts and their exercise in the public assembly. The Corinthian believers were blessed with spiritual gifts to be equipped for ministry. Paul believed some were abusing the spiritual gifts God had given them. Arguments, debates, strife, and division over the spiritual gifts cause them to be carried away, (1 Cor. 12:2). Paul dealt
Extraordinary abilities to build up the church are spiritual gifts given by the Holy Spirit. “No certain individual should feel superior because he or she has a particular spiritual endowment,” (Garland, 560). Diversities of gifts, diversities of services and diversities of activities are all given to different believers by only one Spirit for the good of all. Certain gifts and various types of service do not determine different levels of spirituality. It shouldn’t produce jealousy among the believers for the same triune God works through a variety of people for the spiritual development of the whole community of believers. These spiritual gifts have unity in source and unity in purpose. Personal enrichment is not the reason for these gifts. There are nine gifts of the Holy Spirit in the letter to the Corinthian church which are listed:
1. The word of wisdom which refers to insight into doctrinal truth. The wisdom of God is the truth which God has now revealed to man, (1 Cor.2:7). 2. The word of knowledge which is the ability to apply doctrinal truth to life (1Cor.