Spiritual Gifts
xi
God set them in the church. And where is the text that declares that
they have been set out of the church? Here are eight gifts mentioned,
and given in their order of importance. That “first,” “secondarily,”
“thirdly,” and so on, refer to importance, and not to time, is evident
from the fact that Paul in this connection dwells largely upon the
relative value of some of the gifts, and in
verse 31
says, “Covet earnestly
the best gifts.”
1 Corinthians 1:4-8
. “I thank my God always on your behalf, for
the grace of God which is given you by Jesus Christ; That in everything
ye are enriched by him, in all utterance, and in all knowledge; Even as
the testimony of Christ was confirmed in you; So that ye come behind
in no gift, waiting for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, who shall
also confirm you unto the end, that ye may be blameless in the day of
our Lord Jesus Christ. God is faithful, by whom ye were called unto
the fellowship of his son Jesus Christ our Lord. Now I beseech you,
brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the
same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; But that ye be
perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.”
The gifts were planted in the Christian church. God set them there.
[16]
And we judge that the Corinthians shared largely of their benefits,
from the fact that Paul in his epistles to them, occupies much space
in speaking definitely in regard to their proper exercise. In the above
quotation the apostle thanks God on their behalf for the grace bestowed
upon them by Jesus Christ; that they were enriched in all utterance and
knowledge, even as the testimony of Christ was confirmed in them. If
we turn to
Revelation 19:10
, for an inspired definition of the testimony
of Jesus, we read, “For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.”
By this they were enriched in knowledge and utterance.
However applicable this testimony might have been to the church
at Corinth at the time the apostle wrote, or to Christians from that
day to this, certainly especial reference is made to the last days in
the expressions, “waiting for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ,”
“the end,” “the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.” Hence
verse 7
, “So that
ye come behind in no gift, waiting for the coming of our Lord Jesus
Christ,” teaches the perpetuity of the gifts, and the privilege of the
waiting ones to enjoy them all. The end here mentioned is evidently
the end of the age.