1 Corinthians 12:3b-7, 12-13
Chapter 12
3
I tell you that nobody inspired by the Spirit of God may say, “A curse on Jesus,” as no one can say, “Jesus is the Lord,” except by the Holy Spirit.
4
There are different kinds of gifts, but the Spirit is the same.
5
There are different kinds of service, but the Lord is the same.
6
There are different works, but it is the same God who works in all.
7
The Spirit reveals his presence in each person with a gift that also serves a purpose.
12
Just as a body is one, with many members, and all the members, though many, form one body, so it is with Christ.
13
All of us, whether Jews or Greeks, slaves or free, have been baptized in one Spirit to form one body, and all of us have been given to drink from the one Spirit.
Commentaries
Spiritual Gifts.
Paul now uses the image of the “body of Christ” to address another issue facing the community in Corinth: rivalries, jealousy, and quarrels over the different spiritual gifts—charisms—that Christians received and practiced within and outside the community.
What, then, was the problem? The same as always: those who performed the most humble tasks were undervalued, despised, and subordinate. On the other hand, some leaders stood out from the group and ended up dominating and silencing the others, often the poorest and least influential. Paul therefore aims to stop the abuse of discrimination and arrogance by some privileged individuals, affirming that ministries, charisms, and activities all originate from the Lord, his Spirit, and God.