Paul reminds the readers of a time before when they followed idols with mute spirits. Now, he says that no one with the Holy Spirit says “Jesus is cursed,” and no one says “Jesus is Lord” without the Holy Spirit. In other words, our faith and conviction are empowered by the Spirit. 

Paul says there are a variety of spiritual gifts, services and activities that all come from the singular Holy Spirit. All the spiritual gifts from God are for the common good. The gifts include the utterance of wisdom and knowledge. There are also gifts of faith and healing. There are the working of miracles, prophecy and the discerning of spirits, various languages and the interpretation of languages. All these are empowered by the Holy Spirit who gives them out them according to his will. 

Paul says that Jews, Greeks, free and slaves all drink from the same Spirit. This is an equal opportunity experience. Paul uses a metaphor about of the body with many parts. There was an Aesop’s Fable circulating in Greek society called the Belly and its Members. Perhaps his listeners would be familiar with the reference. In Paul’s version, despite what it may say, the hand is a part of and not separate from the body, and even though the ear and eyes are different they are both necessary and indispensable. No part should think it’s better, or another part unnecessary. If one part suffers, all suffer, if one is exalted all are exalted. 

He brings the lesson back to the church, he says that there are apostles and prophets and teachers and healers and helpers and administrators and speakers in tongues. Not everyone does them all, yet we should all seek the higher gifts. And yet, he teases, there is still one gift that still shines above them all.