What happensPermalink
Paul turns to spiritual gifts, reminding the Corinthians that every ability comes from the same God. Gifts differ, but all are given “for the common good.” The church is like a body: each member essential, each dependent on the others. Whether Jew or Greek, slave or free, all were baptized by one Spirit into one body. When one member suffers, all suffer together. Paul urges them to desire the gifts that most build up the church and promises to show them a still more excellent way.
Why it mattersPermalink
Spiritual gifts reveal the Spirit’s diversity and God’s design for unity, but their true purpose is love. Every gift serves the body only when motivated by love—the greater gift that perfects all others and prepares for Paul’s next teaching.
Key versePermalink
For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ.