There are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit.  (5)There are differences of ministries, but the same Lord.  (6)And there are diversities of activities, but it is the same God who works all in all.  (7) But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all; (8)for to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, to another the word of knowledge through the same Spirit, (9)to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healings by the same Spirit, (10)to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another discerning of spirits, to another different kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues.  (11)But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually as He wills.

The Apostle Paul wrote the first letter to the Corinthians. The church he founded there was composed of mainly Gentiles with pagan backgrounds.  We must remember that all men have a fallen nature – this is part of history and certainly part of the early church – and the Corinthian Christians were no different.  Paul has already told the Corinthians that as pagans they were spirit led by demonic spirits to idols.   In another words they were led astray in the past and he was warning them to not let this happen to them as Christians.

There were divisions at Corinth over different factions or leaders.  There were serious problems of sexual immorality, casual heathen worship and  abuse of communion,  all arising from pride and arrogance and disobedience.  What Paul is addressing in our verses today however, is how Corinthians judged themselves and others on the basis of spiritual gifts.

The Corinthians were apparently highly gifted but not highly spiritual.  Spiritual gifts are just that – gifts from God – to enable the recipient to do what God has equipped them to do. These gifts are not things man can do by himself – (think of the transformation of Peter on Pentecost) – and these gifts are given for service and for the glory of God.

Spiritual gifts produce spiritual results. There are an infinite variety of gifts but they are from the same Spirit – our sovereign God gives us these gifts in the context of our lives and circumstances. Ministries can change and so can the gifts we receive – for example, the preaching ministry of Paul changing to the inspired written ministry – and there are infinite varieties of effects.  Paul is warning the Corinthians to let go of the past – let go and let God – and to reach for what is ahead. He tells them that these are gifts from God through grace and that they – and we – should not boast or take pride in such gifts.