Author: Administrador

I would have fit in well in Corinth. The Corinthian Christians’ struggles, which Paul refers to in 1 Corinthians 1–4, resemble my own: jealousy, striving, arrogance, and a propensity to measure one’s worth through comparisons with other people. Although the specific activities that manifested these attitudes in the Corinthian church might seem foreign to many … Continue reading “1 Corinthians 12:3b-13 Commentary by Matt Skinner”

The more I read the letters to the Corinthians, the more I appreciate the courage and boldness of this community as they wrestled with what it meant to be people of faith. The Community at Corinth They engaged the apostle Paul in what seems to be a lively discussion. We don’t get that from many … Continue reading “1 Corinthians 12:3b-13 Commentary by Valerie Nicolet-Anderson”

What does it look like to be people of Pentecost, to be those claimed by the Spirit? In the cultural buffet that is offered under the sign of “spirituality,” this passage from 1 Corinthians makes some important claims about the Spirit through which the church lives, and about the shape of faithful spirituality. Paul’s discussion … Continue reading “1 Corinthians 12:3b-13 Commentary by Brian Peterson”

What is God Up To? Paul begins chapter 12 by saying, “Now concerning spiritual gifts, brothers and sisters, I do not want you to be uninformed” (1 Corinthians 12:1). By all accounts, the Corinthians had a full measure of the Spirit’s power. Prophecy, speaking in tongues, and the interpretation of tongues, knowledge: the Corinthians had … Continue reading “1 Corinthians 12:1-11 Commentary by Mary Hinkle Shore”

Introduction Today’s lection begins a four-part reading through chapters 12, 13, and 15 of Paul’s first letter to the Corinthians for the Sundays of Epiphany. While the lectionary breaks up chapter 12 into two sections, the chapter consists of one unit on the nature of spiritual gifts. Indeed, the lection for next week provides the … Continue reading “1 Corinthians 12:1-11 Commentary by Karoline Lewis”

“Now concerning spiritual gifts.” With this formulaic transition, by now familiar to the hearers of this letter (see 7:1; 8:1), Paul now turns to address one more item in the list of issues that have been brought to his attention by the Corinthian congregation. His remarks are both particular and in many ways pertinent to … Continue reading “1 Corinthians 12:1-11 Commentary by James Boyce”

This text is about spirituality. For Paul spirituality entails the ongoing reality and work of the Holy Spirit in believers’ lives both individually and corporately. The problem is that some spiritual elitists have really messed this up. They have regarded their gifts of the Spirit as making them superior to other members of the Corinthian … Continue reading “1 Corinthians 12:1-11 Commentary by Richard Carlson”

A friend of mine in seminary told me about one Sunday in his church when they read from the second chapter of Ruth. In the middle of the reading were the words, “The Lord be with you” (Ruth 2:4). The congregation, trained as they were in liturgical language, immediately interrupted the reading with the unison, … Continue reading “1 Corinthians 11:23-26 Commentary by Dwight Peterson”

Perhaps one of the very few texts more familiar than this past Sunday’s Christ-hymn from Philippians is this one, rehearsed in Christian congregations whenever Holy Communion is celebrated. Here, again, Paul passes on a piece of tradition already formed in the nascent church, almost certainly echoing words that are already set: “he took, he gave … Continue reading “1 Corinthians 11:23-26 Commentary by Sandra Hack Polaski”

Note:  Part I explores the biblical text and Part II discusses homiletical strategies for the text. Part I As with other major liturgical services, the gospel text is often used for proclamation. Paul’s discussion of the tradition of the Lord’s Supper, however, is definitely worthy of Maundy Thursday service use.  In these brief verses Paul … Continue reading “1 Corinthians 11:23-26 Commentary by Susan Hedahl”