Paul uses the body as an example of the church.

Biblically, the body represents the members of the church.

Metaphorically, the body shows how the members of the church are meant to work together.

Spiritual gifts help members of the church work together to become mature believers.

Spiritual Gifts are for encouraging one another’s faith.

Paul uses hyperbole, of course it is not possible…

In the same way, we shouldn’t expect everyone to have our gifts.

God has made many parts, with unique purposes.

The Corinthian church was divided over their gifts and the importance of their gifts.

They assumed the gift itself was the thing of value.

The value in our gifts isn’t the gift itself, it is what the gift is meant for.

Our gifts were made to be used in the church to serve God and one another. To encourage one another and to encourage others to mature in their faith.

The Corinthians were not called to go off on their own and depend on themselves, their own gifts and abilities.

They were called to be part of the body—the church. And so are we.

The gifts were given to encourage one another.

Let’s use them to encourage each other.

The early church believed that any one, not the most perfect or most righteous or pious, could receive gifts from the Holy Spirit.

Paul exhorts the church to eagerly desire the greater gifts.