1 Cor. 2:9-16, Don’t Be Ignorant of This

1 Cor. 12:1 says in many translations: “Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I do not want you to be ignorant (NKJV).”  It seems to me that adding the word “gifts” increases the possibility of being ignorant of these things.  Youngs Literal Translation is correct to say “spiritual things” although I don’t understand why it is not proper to just say “spirituals.”  Inserting “gifts” I suppose is because of what the chapter talks about, but even in that increases ignorance because the chapter is not simply about “gifts” but also includes ministries and activities (12:4-6).  Further, the word for “gifts” (charisma) is a grace word and I think for accuracy would better by “grace gifts,” or literally “grace things.”  The list is not long.  Consider the nature of “spirituals.”

pneumatikos (adv): spiritually

·       1 Cor. 2:14: the things of the Holy Spirit are spiritually discerned

·       Rev. 11:8: Jerusalem is spiritually called Sodom and Egypt

pneumatikōs (n): spiritual, pertaining to spiritual; caused by, filled with the Spirit

·       Rom. 1:11: Paul desired to impart a spiritual gift to them (“gift” is in this text)

·       Rom. 7:14: the law is spiritual, I am carnal (fleshly)

·       Rom. 15:27: Gentiles partook of spiritual things, Jewish bros. partake of material

·       1 Cor. 2:13ab: the Holy Spirit teaches, comparing spiritual things with spiritual

·       1 Cor. 2:15: he who is spiritual judges all things, judged by no one

·       1 Cor. 3:1: Paul could not speak to them as spiritual but carnal, babes in Christ

·       1 Cor. 9:11: Paul had sown spiritual things, he could reap material things

·       1 Cor. 10:3-4: in wilderness all ate same spiritual food, drank same sp. drink

·       1 Cor. 12:1: concerning spirituals, don’t be ignorant

·       1 Cor. 14:1: pursue love, desire spirituals, but especially to prophesy.

·       1 Cor. 14:37: those who consider selves spiritual should accept Paul’s words

·       1 Cor. 15:44ab,46: body sown natural body, raised spiritual body; there is a natural & a spiritual body; the spiritual is not first but the natural

·       Gal 6:1: you who are spiritual restore the one overtaken in trespass

·       Eph. 1:3: we are blessed with every spiritual blessing in the heavenlies

·       Eph. 5:19: speak to each other in psalms, hymns, spiritual songs (Col. 3:16)

·       Eph. 6:12: we wrestle not against flesh and blood but … spirituals of wickedness

·       Col. 1:9: filled w/knowledge of His will in all wisdom & spiritual understanding

·       1 Pt. 2:5: living stones, being built up a spiritual house

The entire 12^th chapter of 1 Cor. is about “spirituals,” not just “spiritual gifts.”  The whole way the body works together is a spiritual matter.  Spirituals are the opposite of natural things, fleshly things, material things.  Concerning “spirituals” we must not be ignorant!