1 Corinthians 12:1

KJV

¶ Now concerning spiritual [gifts], brethren, I would not have you ignorant.

KJV (with Strong's)

Now {G1161} concerning {G4012} spiritual {G4152} gifts, brethren {G80}, I would {G2309} not {G3756} have {G2309} you {G5209} ignorant {G50}.

Complete Jewish Bible

But, brothers, I do not want you to go on being ignorant about the things of the Spirit.

Berean Standard Bible

Now about spiritual gifts, brothers, I do not want you to be uninformed.

American Standard Version

Now concerning spiritualgifts, brethren, I would not have you ignorant.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
In 1 Corinthians 12:1, the Apostle Paul initiates a critical discourse on "spiritual matters" within the Corinthian church, expressing his earnest desire that they not remain uninformed or confused regarding the operations and manifestations of the Holy Spirit. This verse serves as a foundational introduction to the subsequent chapters (1 Corinthians 12-14), where Paul systematically addresses the nature, purpose, diversity, and proper use of spiritual gifts, aiming to correct misunderstandings and bring order to their corporate worship and communal life.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse marks a significant transition in Paul's letter to the Corinthian church. Having addressed various moral and practical issues in the preceding chapters (e.g., divisions in [1 Corinthians 1](/1_corinthians/1 "1 Corinthians 1 - Divisions in the Church"), sexual immorality in [1 Corinthians 5](/1_corinthians/5 "1 Corinthians 5 - Immorality in the Church"), lawsuits in [1 Corinthians 6](/1_corinthians/6 "1 Corinthians 6 - Lawsuits Among Believers"), marriage and food sacrificed to idols in [1 Corinthians 7-10](/1_corinthians/7 "1 Corinthians 7 - Marriage and Singleness")), Paul now turns to matters of worship and spiritual manifestations. The immediate preceding chapter, [1 Corinthians 11](/1_corinthians/11 "1 Corinthians 11 - Head Coverings and the Lord's Supper"), deals with head coverings and the proper observance of the Lord's Supper, both of which touched upon order and decorum in corporate gatherings. Chapter 12:1 thus pivots to the specific topic of "spirituals" (Greek: *pneumatika*), setting the stage for Paul's extensive teaching on the Holy Spirit's work, the diversity of gifts, the unity of the body of Christ, and the supremacy of love, culminating in practical instructions for public worship in [1 Corinthians 14](/1_corinthians/14 "1 Corinthians 14 - Order in Public Worship").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The city of Corinth was a bustling, cosmopolitan hub known for its diverse religious practices, including various pagan cults that often involved ecstatic experiences and altered states of consciousness. Many Corinthian believers had backgrounds in these pagan traditions, where such phenomena were common but lacked true spiritual discernment. This background likely contributed to their confusion or misuse of genuine spiritual manifestations within the Christian community. They may have struggled to differentiate between Spirit-led expressions and those influenced by their former pagan practices or simply human enthusiasm. Furthermore, the Corinthian church was characterized by internal divisions and a tendency towards pride and self-exaltation, which likely extended to the exercise of spiritual gifts, with some valuing certain gifts over others, leading to disorder and disunity. Paul's instruction is therefore not merely theoretical but a direct pastoral response to real issues stemming from their cultural heritage and internal church dynamics.
* **Key Themes:** This verse introduces several pivotal themes that Paul develops throughout [1 Corinthians 12-14](/1_corinthians/12 "1 Corinthians 12 - Spiritual Gifts and the Body of Christ"). The primary theme is the **elimination of ignorance** concerning spiritual realities. Paul's direct statement, "I would not have you ignorant," underscores the necessity of sound theological understanding regarding the Holy Spirit's work. This sets the stage for the theme of **divine empowerment and the diversity of spiritual gifts**, emphasizing that the Holy Spirit sovereignly bestows various abilities upon believers for the common good (as seen in [1 Corinthians 12:4-11](/1_corinthians/12-4-11 "1 Corinthians 12:4-11 - Diversity of Gifts")). Crucially, this introduction also lays the groundwork for the overarching theme of **unity in diversity**, where Paul uses the analogy of the human body to illustrate how different gifts, though distinct, function together harmoniously to build up the one body of Christ (explained in [1 Corinthians 12:12-27](/1_corinthians/12-12-27 "1 Corinthians 12:12-27 - The Body of Christ Metaphor")). Ultimately, all these themes are subsumed under the supreme importance of **love** ([1 Corinthians 13](/1_corinthians/13 "1 Corinthians 13 - The Way of Love")), which must govern the exercise of all spiritual gifts for true edification and order within the church.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **spiritual (Greek, _pneumatikós_):** From G4152, meaning "non-carnal," "ethereal," or "supernatural," "regenerate," "religious." In this context, it refers to "spiritual things" or "matters pertaining to the Spirit." The KJV's supplied word "gifts" (in italics) narrows the meaning, but the original Greek *pneumatika* is broader, encompassing all manifestations and operations of the Holy Spirit, not just specific abilities. Paul's use of this term indicates a comprehensive discussion of all things related to the Spirit's activity in the church.
* **would (Greek, _thélō_):** From G2309, meaning "to determine (as an active option from subjective impulse)," "choose or prefer," "to wish," "to be inclined to." This word conveys Paul's strong personal desire and intentionality. It's not a casual statement but an emphatic expression of his pastoral heart and his earnest wish for the Corinthians to gain understanding and clarity on these vital matters.
* **ignorant (Greek, _agnoéō_):** From G50, meaning "not to know (through lack of information or intelligence)" or "to ignore (through disinclination)." Paul uses this term to highlight the Corinthians' current state of being uninformed or misguided regarding spiritual realities. His aim is to rectify this lack of knowledge, whether it stems from genuine ignorance or a willful disregard for proper understanding.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Now concerning spiritual [gifts], brethren":** This phrase signals a new topic in Paul's letter, a common Pauline transitional marker ("Now concerning..."). The term "spiritual" (Greek: *pneumatika*) is plural and neuter, best translated as "spiritual things" or "spiritual matters." It refers to all phenomena related to the Holy Spirit's activity within the church, including but not limited to specific gifts. Addressing them as "brethren" (Greek: *adelphós*) underscores Paul's pastoral affection and his desire to instruct them as fellow members of God's family, implying a shared spiritual journey and mutual concern for their well-being.
* **"I would not have you ignorant":** This is a strong negative statement, expressing Paul's firm desire to prevent their ignorance. It reveals his deep pastoral concern that the Corinthians are either lacking knowledge, misunderstanding, or misapplying truths about the Holy Spirit's work. This declaration sets the urgent and didactic tone for the subsequent chapters, emphasizing the critical importance of proper understanding for the health and order of the church.

#### Literary Devices
Paul employs several effective literary devices in this opening verse. The phrase "Now concerning..." is a common **Transitional Marker** in Paul's epistles, signaling a shift to a new topic and often responding to a specific question or issue raised by the recipients. His direct address, "brethren," is an example of **Apostrophe**, a rhetorical device where the speaker directly addresses an absent person or a personified idea, though here it is used to directly address his audience, fostering a sense of intimacy and shared community. The statement "I would not have you ignorant" is a form of **Litotes**, a rhetorical understatement in which an affirmative is expressed by the negation of its contrary. Instead of simply saying, "I want you to know," Paul says, "I do not want you to be ignorant," which emphasizes the negative state he wishes to avoid and underscores the urgency and importance of the knowledge he is about to impart. This also conveys a strong **Didactic Tone**, indicating his intent to teach and correct.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
1 Corinthians 12:1 serves as a theological gateway to understanding the Holy Spirit's vital role in the life of the church. It establishes that spiritual matters are not peripheral or optional but central to Christian faith and practice. Paul's insistence on eliminating ignorance highlights the biblical emphasis on knowledge and discernment as crucial for believers to function effectively and avoid deception or disorder. This verse implicitly connects to the broader biblical truth that God desires His people to be well-informed about His ways and His Spirit's work, empowering them for ministry and witness. The "spiritual things" introduced here are the very means by which God builds up His church, equips believers, and manifests His presence in the world.

* [Romans 1:13](/romans/1-13 "Romans 1:13 - Paul's Desire to Visit Rome")
* [2 Peter 3:8](/2_peter/3-8 "2 Peter 3:8 - A Day is Like a Thousand Years")
* [Ephesians 4:11-12](/ephesians/4-11-12 "Ephesians 4:11-12 - Gifts for the Equipping of the Saints")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
1 Corinthians 12:1 is a timeless call to spiritual literacy and discernment for every believer. Paul's desire that the Corinthians not be ignorant concerning "spiritual matters" resonates powerfully today, urging us to actively seek understanding about the Holy Spirit's person, power, and purposes in our lives and in the church. In a world often characterized by spiritual confusion, apathy, or even sensationalism, this verse reminds us that a robust, biblical understanding of the Spirit's work is not merely academic but essential for healthy spiritual growth, effective ministry, and harmonious community. It challenges us to move beyond superficial experiences or inherited assumptions and to diligently study God's Word, pray for discernment, and humbly submit to the Spirit's leading, ensuring that our spiritual expressions are always in line with biblical truth, love, and order, ultimately building up the body of Christ.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of your spiritual life might you be "ignorant" or lacking understanding, and how can you seek to grow in knowledge?**
* **How does a proper understanding of the Holy Spirit's work impact your personal walk with God and your participation in the church community?**
* **What steps can you take to cultivate discernment regarding spiritual manifestations, ensuring they align with biblical truth and promote unity and edification?**

### FAQ

**Why does the KJV add "[gifts]" in italics to "spiritual"?**

Answer: The King James Version (KJV) adds the word "[gifts]" in italics because it is not present in the original Greek text of [1 Corinthians 12:1](/1_corinthians/12-1 "1 Corinthians 12:1 - Concerning Spiritual Matters"). The Greek word *pneumatika* (πνευματικά) is a neuter plural adjective, which literally translates to "spiritual things" or "spiritual matters." The KJV translators, in their effort to make the meaning clearer for English readers, inferred that Paul was referring specifically to spiritual gifts, as that is a primary focus of the subsequent discussion in [1 Corinthians 12-14](/1_corinthians/12 "1 Corinthians 12 - Spiritual Gifts"). However, the broader translation "spiritual things" is arguably more accurate to the original, as Paul's discussion encompasses not only specific gifts but also the overall operation and manifestation of the Holy Spirit within the church, including the importance of love and order in worship.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
1 Corinthians 12:1, though not explicitly mentioning Christ, sets the stage for a profound Christ-centered understanding of spiritual gifts and the Holy Spirit's work. The "spiritual things" Paul discusses are ultimately given by Christ Himself, who, after His ascension, poured out the Holy Spirit upon His church as promised (see [Acts 2:33](/acts/2-33 "Acts 2:33 - Peter's Sermon on Pentecost")). Jesus is the ultimate Giver of gifts, distributing them through the Spirit for the building up of His body, the Church ([Ephesians 4:7-8](/ephesians/4-7-8 "Ephesians 4:7-8 - Christ Gives Gifts to Men")). The Holy Spirit's primary mission is to glorify Christ ([John 16:14](/john/16-14 "John 16:14 - The Spirit Will Glorify Christ")), and all genuine spiritual manifestations should point to and exalt Jesus as Lord ([1 Corinthians 12:3](/1_corinthians/12-3 "1 Corinthians 12:3 - No One Can Say Jesus is Lord Except by the Holy Spirit")). Therefore, for the Corinthians (and us) not to be ignorant concerning "spiritual things" means to understand how the Spirit empowers believers to live out and proclaim the reality of Christ's reign, manifesting His presence and power in the world through His unified body, the Church, until He returns ([1 Corinthians 1:7-8](/1_corinthians/1-7-8 "1 Corinthians 1:7-8 - Waiting for the Revelation of Christ")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

1 Corinthians 12:4

Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit.

1 Corinthians 12:11

But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will.

1 Corinthians 14:37

If any man think himself to be a prophet, or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things that I write unto you are the commandments of the Lord.

1 Corinthians 14:1

¶ Follow after charity, and desire spiritual [gifts], but rather that ye may prophesy.

1 Corinthians 14:18

I thank my God, I speak with tongues more than ye all:

Ephesians 4:11

And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;

2 Peter 3:8

¶ But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day [is] with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.