MacArthur Bible Studies: 1 Corinthians

Top Highlights

“Miracles, healing, languages, and the interpretation of languages were temporary sign gifts limited to the apostolic age and have, therefore, ceased. Their purpose was to authenticate the apostles and their message as the true Word of God, until God’s written Word was completed and became self-authenticating. See notes on verses 9–10.” (Page 90)

“Quarreling is a reality in the church because selfishness and other sins are realities in the church. Because of quarreling the Father is dishonored, the Son is disgraced, His people are demoralized and discredited, and the world is turned off and confirmed in unbelief.” (Page 14)

“The Greek literally means ‘pertaining to the Spirit,’ referring to that which has spiritual qualities or characteristics or is under some form of spiritual control. Spiritual gifts are divine enablements for ministry that the Holy Spirit gives in some measure to all believers and that are to be completely under His control and used for the building of the church to Christ’s glory. These had to be distinguished from the mystical experiences called ‘ecstasy’ (super-natural, sensuous communion with a deity) and ‘enthusiasm’ (divination, dreams, revelations, visions) that were found in the pagan religions of Corinth.” (Page 90)

“Even by the pagan standards of its own culture, Corinth became so morally corrupt that its very name became synonymous with debauchery and moral depravity. To ‘corinthianize’ came to represent gross immorality and drunken debauchery.” (Page 2)

“The varieties of gifts fall into two general types: speaking and serving (see vv. 8–10). The speaking, or verbal, gifts (prophecy, knowledge, wisdom, teaching, and exhortation) and the serving, nonverbal gifts (leadership, helps, giving, mercy, faith, and discernment) are all permanent gifts that will operate throughout the church age. Their purpose is to edify the church and glorify God. The list here and in Romans 12:3–8 is best seen as representative of categories of giftedness which the Holy Spirit draws from to give each believer whatever kind or combination of kinds He chooses (v. 11).” (Page 90)