THE FIRST EPISTLE OF PAUL THE APOSTLE TO THE CORINTHIANS - Chapter 12 - Verse 11

Verse 11. But all these. All these various endowments.

Worketh. Produces. All these are to be traced to him.

That one and the selfsame Spirit. The Holy Spirit, Ac 2. They were all, though so different in themselves to be traced to the Holy Ghost, just as all the natural endowments of men—their strength, memory, judgment, etc.—though so various in themselves, are to be traced to the same God.

Dividing to every man severally. Conferring on each one as he pleases. He confers on each one that which he sees to be best and most wise and proper.

As he will. As he chooses; or as in his view seems best. Dr. Doddridge remarks, that this word does "not so much express arbitrary pleasure, as a determination founded on wise counsel." It implies, however, that he does it as a sovereign; as he sees to be right and best. He distributes these favours as to him seems best adapted to promote the welfare of the whole church, and to advance his cause. Some of the doctrines which are taught by this verse are the following:

(1.) The Holy Ghost is a person. For he acts as a person; distributes favours, confers endowments and special mercies "as he will." This proves that he is, in some respects, distinguished from the Father and the Son. It would be absurd to say of an attribute of God, that it confers favours, and distributes the various endowments of speaking with tongues, and raising the dead. And if so, then the Holy Ghost is not an attribute of God.

(2.) He is a sovereign. He gives to an as he pleases. In regard to spiritual endowments of the highest order, he deals with men as he does in the common endowments bestowed on men, and as he does in temporal blessings. He does not bestow the same blessings on an, nor make all alike. He dispenses his favours by a rule which he has not made known, but which, We may be assured, is in accordance with wisdom and goodness. He wrongs no one; and he gives to all the favours which might be connected with eternal life.

(3.) No man should be proud of his endowments. Whatever they may be, they are the gifts of God, bestowed by his sovereign will and mercy. But assuredly we should not be proud of that which is the mere gift of another; and which has been bestowed, not in consequence of any merit of ours, but according to his mere sovereign will.

(4.) No man should be depressed, or should despise his own gifts, however humble they may be. In their own place, they may be as important as the higher endowments of others. That God has placed him where he is, or has given less splendid endowments than he has to others, is no fault of his. There is no crime in it; and he should, therefore, strive to improve his "one talent," and to make himself useful in the rank where he is placed. And,

(5.) no man should despise another because he is in a more humble rank, or is less favoured than himself. God has made the difference, and we should respect and honour his arrangements, and should show that respect and honour by regarding with kindness, and treating as fellow-labourers with us, all who occupy a more humble rank than we do.

{c} "dividing to every man" 1 Co 12:6