Empowered by the Spirit: Gifts, Love, and Order in God’s Kingdom
- Be God's Glory
- Nov 25
- 10 min read
Welcome to Day 328 of The Glory Team Bible Reading Plan.
These chapters form Paul’s foundational teaching on spiritual gifts, the supremacy of love, and the proper expression of Spirit-led worship in the church. Paul explains that the Holy Spirit gives diverse gifts to believers not for personal glory but for building up the body of Christ. He then elevates love as the greatest virtue, showing that without love, even the most spectacular spiritual gifts have no eternal value. Paul concludes by teaching that worship must be orderly, edifying, and grounded in clear communication so that the entire church may be strengthened. Together, these chapters reveal God’s heart for unity, maturity, and Spirit-empowered love within the church.
1 Corinthians 12
Paul begins by teaching the Corinthians about spiritual gifts, emphasizing that all gifts come from the same Spirit, the same Lord, and the same God. He explains that the Spirit distributes gifts as He wills, not according to human preference or status, making every believer valuable to the body of Christ. Paul uses the illustration of the human body to show the interdependence of believers, reminding them that no member is insignificant and no gift should cause division. He calls believers to honor each other’s roles and recognize that suffering or rejoicing affects the whole body. The chapter highlights that spiritual gifts are given for the common good, not personal elevation. Paul concludes by encouraging believers to desire the greater gifts while preparing them to understand the more excellent way—love.
1 Corinthians 13
Paul shifts from the use of spiritual gifts to the necessity of love, declaring that without love, even the greatest gifts, sacrifices, or achievements are empty. He describes the nature of love in a series of active verbs—patient, kind, humble, selfless, forgiving, and enduring—revealing love as the true evidence of spiritual maturity. Paul contrasts love with spiritual gifts by explaining that gifts are temporary and partial, but love is eternal and complete. He teaches that as believers grow, they must put away childish behavior and embrace the maturity that love produces. Paul concludes by highlighting the enduring triad of faith, hope, and love, with love being the greatest because it most reflects the character of God. This chapter reveals that love is the foundation for all spiritual expression and the source of unity in the body of Christ.
1 Corinthians 14
Paul instructs the church on the proper use of spiritual gifts—especially prophecy and tongues—teaching that they must be used in ways that edify the entire congregation. He explains that prophecy is greater in the public gathering because it brings clarity, encouragement, and strengthening, while uninterpreted tongues benefit only the speaker. Paul emphasizes that worship gatherings should be marked by peace, clarity, and order rather than confusion or chaos. He gives practical guidelines to ensure that gifts such as tongues and prophecy are exercised with interpretation, discernment, and accountability. Paul also addresses submission to God’s structure in the church so that the flow of the Spirit aligns with His character. The chapter concludes by reminding believers to desire spiritual gifts but to express them in a way that builds up the church and reflects God’s nature of peace.
Origin & Meaning of the Name:
The book is named after the city of Corinth, a prominent Greek city known for its wealth, commerce, and cultural diversity. The name “Corinthians” simply refers to the people of Corinth, who were the recipients of Paul’s letter. Corinth was a major port city on the Isthmus of Corinth, strategically located for trade and travel, which contributed to both its prosperity and the moral challenges faced by its inhabitants.
Purpose of the Book:
Paul wrote 1 Corinthians to address divisions, moral issues, and questions about Christian conduct within the Corinthian church. The letter provides guidance on maintaining unity, living a holy life, understanding spiritual gifts, and navigating relationships within the church. Paul emphasizes the importance of relying on God’s wisdom rather than human wisdom, correcting sinful behavior, and reinforcing the gospel’s centrality, particularly the message of Christ crucified as the foundation for faith.
Authorship & Sources Supporting the Author:
The Apostle Paul is the author of 1 Corinthians. Internal evidence supports this claim, as Paul identifies himself as the writer in 1 Corinthians 1:1–2: “Paul, called to be an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and our brother Sosthenes, to the church of God that is in Corinth.”Additional evidence includes:
2 Corinthians 1:1 and Romans 16:23, which reference Paul’s letters to Corinth and his co-workers.
Acts 18:1-18 documents Paul’s time in Corinth, establishing his close relationship with the church and confirming the historical context for the letter.
Early church historians such as Eusebius and references in the writings of Clement of Rome (c. AD 95) also acknowledge Paul as the author of the letter to the Corinthians.
Key People:
Paul – the author, apostle, and primary spiritual guide for the Corinthian church.
Sosthenes – co-sender of the letter, likely a leader or prominent member of the Corinthian congregation (1:1).
Apollos – an eloquent teacher and minister whom some Corinthians followed, causing divisions (1:12; 3:4-6).
Cephas (Peter) – referenced as another leader whom some church members favored (1:12).
Christ Jesus – central to the letter, as Paul repeatedly emphasizes reliance on Him as the foundation of faith (1:2, 2:2, 3:11).
Other unnamed members of the Corinthian church – involved in disputes, immorality, and questions that prompted Paul’s guidance.
Conclusion
The book of 1 Corinthians addresses the struggles of a young church learning to live out its faith in a challenging cultural context. Paul calls the Corinthians to unity, humility, moral integrity, and dependence on God’s wisdom rather than human pride. He emphasizes that Christ is the foundation of all spiritual life and ministry, and that God’s power is made perfect in human weakness. The letter is both corrective and instructive, offering timeless guidance for believers navigating divisions, moral challenges, and the pursuit of spiritual maturity. It remains a foundational text for understanding Christian conduct, church unity, and reliance on God’s wisdom.
What is God's Name in these Chapters?
In this portion of our journey we want to dive deep into the character of God described in His name. By identifying who God is, we can further relate to Him personally and build a stronger relationship and connection with Our Father.
Names are important. They give significance to places, people, and things. We identify with so much based off what it's name is. This is considerably notable when it comes to the names of God.
"Jehovah" is considered a Latinized version of the Hebrew name "Yahweh" (represented by the consonants YHWH) where the vowels of the Hebrew word "Adonai" (meaning "my Lord") were added to the Tetragrammaton (YHWH) when pronounced by Jewish readers who avoided saying the sacred name directly; essentially, Christian scholars combined the consonants of YHWH with the vowels of Adonai to create the pronunciation "Jehovah" in the Latin alphabet.
1 Corinthians 12
In this chapter, God reveals Himself as a God of unity, diversity, and intentional design. He shows that every believer has value because He Himself equips them through the Holy Spirit. God demonstrates His character as relational and orderly, creating a body where every part matters and contributes to His kingdom purpose. Through this, He teaches us that He delights in cooperation, humility, and interdependence among His people.
No specific Hebrew names of God are mentioned in this chapter, but His nature reflects Elohim, the Creator God who forms a unified body with many members working together. The lesson God teaches here is that spiritual gifts are not for self-promotion but for service and the building up of others. He invites believers to value every person in the body of Christ and recognize His sovereign hand in distributing gifts. This chapter teaches us to honor God by honoring the way He designed His church to function—connected, humble, and Spirit-led.
1 Corinthians 13
In this chapter, God reveals Himself as the very definition of love, showing that love is not just an emotion but His very nature. Every description of love in this chapter reflects who He is—patient, kind, faithful, humble, forgiving, and enduring. God demonstrates that spiritual maturity is measured not by giftedness or ability but by how closely we reflect His love. Through this, He teaches that love is the highest expression of His character and the foundation of all Christian living.
There are no Hebrew names mentioned directly, but God is displayed as El Ahavah, the God of Love, whose character shapes the way believers should live. The lesson in this chapter is that without love, every gift, sacrifice, or accomplishment becomes empty and meaningless in God’s eyes. He calls His people to pursue a love that mirrors His own—a love that endures, forgives, and puts others above self. Through this chapter, God shows that the greatest witness to the world is Christlike love.
1 Corinthians 14
In this chapter, God reveals Himself as a God of order, clarity, and peace. He shows that He values worship that strengthens, teaches, and encourages the entire body rather than causing confusion. God demonstrates His character as a wise and purposeful leader who desires that spiritual gifts be exercised with maturity and discernment. Through this, He teaches believers to seek what edifies and reflects His peaceful nature.
No Hebrew names of God are used in this chapter, but His character reflects YHWH Shalom, the Lord of Peace, who brings order where there could be chaos. The lesson in this chapter is that spiritual gifts must point people to God, not distract from Him, and must always be used in a way that builds up the church. God teaches that worship should be understandable, reverent, and aligned with His character. In this way, He calls believers to reflect His peace and wisdom in every spiritual expression.
Christ in Every Book of the Bible
Christ is the theme throughout the Bible. From Genesis to Revelation, God reveals His Son, Jesus Christ.
Christ is the Seed of the woman Genesis 3:14 , He is the Passover Lamb Exodus 12:3, The Atoning Sacrifice Leviticus 17:11, The Smitten Rock Numbers 20:8, 11, The Faithful Prophet Deuteronomy 18:18, Christ is the Captain of the Lord's Host Joshua 5:15, The Divine Deliverer Judges 2:18, The Kinsman Redeemer Ruth 3:12, Christ is the anticipated as the Anointed One,1 Samuel 2:10, The Son of David 2 Samuel 7:14, The Coming King 1 & 2 Kings, Builder of the Temple 1 & 2 Chronicles (1 Chronicles 28:20), Ezra represents Christ as the Restorer of the Nation Ezra 6:14, 15, Nehemiah shows Him as the Restorer of the Temple Nehemiah 6:15, and Esther portrays Him as the Preserver of the Nation Ester 4:14, Christ is seen as the Living Redeemer Job 19:25, The Praise of Israel Psalm 150:6, The Wisdom of God Proverbs 8:22, 23, The Great Teacher Ecclesiastics 12:11, The Fairest of Ten Thousand Song of Solomon 5:10. Christ is the Suffering Servant Isaiah 53:11, The Maker of the New Covenant Jeremiah 31:31, The Man of Sorrows Lamentations 3:28-30, The Glory of God Ezekiel 43:2, The coming Messiah Daniel 9:25, The Lover of the Unfaithful Hosea 3:1, The Hope of Israel Joel 3:16, The Husbandman Amos 9:13, the Savior Obadiah 21, the Resurrected One Jonah 2:10, the Ruler in Israel Micah 5:2, the Avenger Nahum 2:1, the Holy God Habakkuk 1:13, the King of Israel Zephaniah 3:15, the Desire of Nations Haggai 2:7, the Righteous Branch Zechariah 3:8, and the Sun of Righteousness Malachi 4:2.
The King of the Jews Matthew 2:2, the Servant of the Lord Mark 10:45, the Son of Man Luke 19:10, and the Son of God John 1:1. Christ is the Ascended Lord Acts 1:10, the believer's Righteousness Romans 1:17, Sanctification 1 Corinthians 1:30, Sufficiency 2 Corinthians 12:9, and Liberty Galatians 2:4. He is the Exalted Head of the church Ephesians 1:22, the Christian's Joy Philippians 1:26, and the Fullness of Deity Colossians 2:9. In the Thessalonian epistles Christ is the believer's Comfort 1 Thessalonians 4:16, 17 and Glory 2 Thessalonians 1:12. The Christian's Preserver 1 Timothy 4:10, Rewarder 2 Timothy 4:8, Blessed Hope Titus 2:13, and Substitute Philemon 17. He is the High Priest Hebrews 4:15, the Giver of Wisdom James 1:5, the Rock 1 Peter 2:6, and Precious Promise 2 Peter 1:4. John represents Christ as the Life 1 John, the Truth 2 John, and the Way 3 John, Jude portrays Christ as the Advocate and Revelation shows Him as King of Kings and Lord of Lords Revelation 19:16. The whole Bible is literally all about Christ!
Questions:
Let's expand how these chapters expanded your faith and your relationship with God.
Questions About God's Character: What do these chapters reveal about God’s faithfulness to His word and promises?
What does God’s distribution of diverse spiritual gifts in chapter 12 reveal about His intentional design and care for every believer?
How does God’s emphasis on unity in the body of Christ reflect His relational and inclusive nature?
In chapter 13, how does Paul’s description of love help us understand the very heart and character of God?
What does God’s elevating of love above all gifts reveal about what He values most in His people?
In chapter 14, how does God’s desire for order in worship reveal His nature as a God of peace rather than confusion?
How does God’s focus on building up the church reflect His fatherly desire for the growth and maturity of His children?
What does the Holy Spirit’s role in empowering and guiding the church teach us about God’s closeness and involvement with His people?
Questions About Themes:
How does the theme of “one body with many members” challenge the way we understand community in the church?
What theme emerges regarding the purpose of spiritual gifts in chapter 12, and how does this shape our view of ministry?
How does chapter 13 elevate love as the foundational theme for all Christian behavior and spiritual expression?
What does the theme “love is greater than gifts” teach us about priorities in the church?
How does chapter 14 develop the theme of edification—building up the church—as the primary goal of spiritual gifts?
What theme does Paul reinforce about clarity and understanding in worship gatherings?
How do these chapters together present a cohesive theme of Spirit-led unity, maturity, and order?
Reflective Application Questions:
Which spiritual gifts has God given me, and how am I using them to strengthen the body rather than seeking personal recognition?
Are there areas where I’ve undervalued others in the body of Christ, and how can I honor their God-given roles more intentionally?
How well does my life reflect the love described in chapter 13, and where is God calling me to grow in patience, humility, or forgiveness?
What would change in my relationships if I began to treat love as the highest command rather than just a feeling?
In what ways can I contribute to more orderly, uplifting, and edifying worship within my church or ministry setting?
How can I better discern when and how to use my spiritual gifts so they benefit others and point people to Christ?
What steps can I take this week to walk in unity, practice spiritual maturity, and reflect God’s peace in my conversations and actions?
These questions can help deepen understanding of the themes of these chapters, while encouraging trust in God's sovereignty, justice, faithfulness, and timing. We hope thoughts to these questions invite you to reflect on your own journeys, grow in faith, and understand more about God's nature.
Reference Guides:
Life Application Study Guide
A Popular Survey of the Old Testament by Norman L. Geisler
The Power of God's Names by Tony Evans
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