12:1 - Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I would not have you ignorant.
Tertullian A Treatise on the Soul
" This was her vision, and for her witness there was God; and the apostle most assuredly foretold that there were to be "spiritual gifts" in the church.[58]
12:3 - Wherefore I give you to understand, that no man speaking by the Spirit of God calls Jesus accursed: and that no man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Spirit.
Origen de Principiis Book I
In this manner, then, is the working of the power of God the Father and of the Son extended without distinction to every creature; but a share in the Holy Spirit we find possessed only by the saints. And therefore it is said, "No man can say that Jesus is Lord, but by the Holy Ghost."[84]A Treatise of Novatian Concerning the Trinity
Established in this Spirit, "none ever calleth Jesus anathema; "[262]Pseudo-Gregory Thaumaturgus A Sectional Confession of Faith
For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body; so also is Christ. For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body."[91]Didache
but if he ask money, he is a false prophet. 7. And every prophet that speaketh in the Spirit[107]
12:4 - Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit.
Irenaeus Against Heresies Book II
yet as to us "there are diversities of gifts, differences of administrations, and diversities of operations; "[243]Irenaeus Against Heresies Book IV
But the apostle expounded this very passage, when he said, "Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit; and there are differences of ministrations, but the same Lord; and there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all. But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal."[286]Tertullian Against Marcion Book V
on high," that is, into heaven; "He led captivity captive," meaning death or slavery of man; "He gave gifts to the sons of men,"[358]Tertullian On Baptism
distributions of gifts[216]Origen de Principiis Book I
This is most clearly pointed out by the Apostle Paul, when demonstrating that the power of the Trinity is one and the same, in the words, "There are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit; there are diversities of administrations, but the same Lord; and there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God who worketh all in all. But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit: withal."[87]Origen Commentary on John Book II
And I consider that the Holy Spirit supplies to those who, through Him and through participation in Him, are called saints, the material of the gifts, which come from God; so that the said material of the gifts is made powerful by God, is ministered by Christ, and owes its actual existence in men to the Holy Spirit. I am led to this view of the charisms by the words of Paul which he writes somewhere,[25]
12:6 - And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which works all in all.
Origen de Principiis Book I
" And while pointing out the individual distinction of gifts, he refers the whole of them to the source of all things. in the words, "There are diversities of operations, but one God who worketh all in all."[89]
12:7 - But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit likewise.
Clement of Alexandria Stromata Book IV
For to one is given the word of wisdom by the Spirit; to another the word of knowledge according to the same Spirit; to another faith through the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing through the same Spirit; to another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discernment of spirits; to another diversities of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues: and all these worketh the one and the same Spirit, distributing to each one according as He wills."[200]
12:8 - In order to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit;
Tertullian The Prescription Against Heretics
that it is better for you to remain in ignorance, lest you should come to know what you ought not, because you have acquired the knowledge of what you ought to know.[154]Tertullian Against Marcion Book V
" "To another prophecy, to another discerning of spirits, to another divers kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues; "this will be "the spirit of knowledge."[365]Origen Against Celsus Book III
And Paul also, in the catalogue of "charismata" bestowed by God, placed first "the word of wisdom," and second, as being inferior to it, "the word of knowledge," but third, and lower down, "faith."[148]Origen Against Celsus Book VI
And therefore Paul says: "To one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit; to another faith by the same Spirit."[70]Constitutions of the Holy Apostles Book VIII
Let not, therefore, any one that works signs and wonders judge any one of the faithful who is not vouchsafed the same: for the gifts of God which are bestowed by Him through Christ are various; and one man receives one gift, and another another. For perhaps one has the word of wisdom, and another the word of knowledge;[17]The First Epistle of Clement Concerning Virginity
But if thou hast received "the word of knowledge, or the word of instruction, or of prophecy,"[115]
12:11 - But all these works that one and the very same Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will.
Epistle of Ignatius to the Philippians
And it is manifest that all these gifts [possessed by believers] "worketh one and the self-same Spirit."[19]Clement of Alexandria Stromata Book V
For were we to say that the apostles were at once prophets and righteous, we should say well, "since one and the self-same Holy Spirit works in all."[91]Origen de Principiis Book I
"But all these worketh that one and the self-same Spirit, dividing to every one severally as He will."[88]
12:12 - For as the body is one, and has many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ.
1 Clement
Let us take our body for an example.[204]Clement of Alexandria Stromata Book I
The divine apostle writes accordingly respecting us: "For now we see as through a glass; "[218]Tertullian Against Marcion Book V
This, too, I may confidently say: he who has likened the unity of our body throughout its manifold and divers members to the compacting together of the various gifts of the Spirit,[366]Origen Commentary on John Book X
of the stature of the fulness of the body of Christ. And then the many members[111]
12:13 - For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.
Epistle of Ignatius to the Philippians
since "we have been called in one hope of our calling."[17]Clement of Alexandria The Instructor Book I
And again he writes in another place: "For by one spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, whether bond or free, and we have all drunk of one cup."[65]
12:18 - But now has God set the members every one of them in the body, as it has pleased him.
Archelaus Acts of the Disputation with the Heresiarch Manes
But from this we are able to show that there is a unison of powers in these two substances, that is to say, in that of the body and in that of the soul; of which unison that greatest teacher in the Scriptures, Paul, speaks, when he tells us, that "God hath set the members every one of them in the body as it hath pleased Him."[157]
12:23 - And those members of the body, which we think to be less honourable, upon these we bestow more abundant honour; and our indecent parts have more abundant loveliness.
Tertullian On the Resurrection of the Flesh
although not honourable, since "we bestow more abundant honour upon the less honourable members; "[64]
12:26 - And whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it; or one member be honoured, all the members rejoice with it.
Epistle of Polycarp to the Philippians
but call them back as suffering and straying members, that ye may save your whole body. For by so acting ye shall edify yourselves.[67]Tertullian On Repentance
to be anything other than yourself? Why flee from the partners of your own mischances, as from such as will derisively cheer them? The body cannot feel gladness at the trouble of any one member,[95]Cyprian Epistle XI
And again he has laid it down in his epistle, saying, "Whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it; or one member rejoice, all the members rejoice with it."[4]Cyprian Epistle LI
And again: "Whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it; or one member rejoice, all the members rejoice with it."[21]
12:27 - Now all of you are the body of Christ, and members in particular.
Tertullian On Modesty
" And, accordingly, why excuse it on the ground of pristine precedent? It did not bear the names of "body of Christ,"[75]Origen Commentary on John Book X
It may be asked whether this is to be taken in its plain sense, or whether we should try to connect each statement that is recorded about the temple, with the view we take about the body of Jesus, whether the body which He received from the Virgin, or that body of Christ which the Church is said to be, as we are said by the Apostle[130]Origen Commentary on Matthew Book XIV
and they are no more two, but now they are one flesh, since it is said to the wife, "Now ye are the body of Christ, and members each in his part; "[147]
12:28 - And God has set some in the church, first apostles, secondly prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues.
Irenaeus Against Heresies Book III
for this purpose, that all the members receiving it may be vivified; and the [means of] communion with Christ has been distributed throughout it, that is, the Holy Spirit, the earnest of incorruption, the means of confirming our faith, and the ladder of ascent to God. "For in the Church," it is said, "God hath set apostles, prophets, teachers,"[476]Irenaeus Against Heresies Book IV
Paul then, teaching us where one may find such, says, "God hath placed in the Church, first, apostles; secondly, prophets; thirdly, teachers."[375]Victorinus Commentary on the Apocalypse of the Blessed John
For the apostle says: "And he placed in the Church indeed, first, apostles; secondly, prophets; thirdly, teachers,"[46]Origen Commentary on Matthew Book XI
o, therefore, is it with apparent purity if it is influenced by considerations of vain glory or love of gain; and the teaching which is thought to be the teaching of the Church, if it becomes servile through the word of flattery, either when it is made the excuse for covetousness, or when any one seeks glory from men because of his teaching, is not reckoned to be the teaching of those "who have been set by God in the Church: first, apostles; secondly, prophets; and thirdly, teachers."[149]
12:29 - Are all apostles? are all prophets? are all teachers? are all workers of miracles?
The First Epistle of Clement Concerning Virginity
And they hearken not to that which the Scripture has said: "Let not many be teachers among you, my brethren, and be not all of you prophets."[98]
12:31 - But covet earnestly the best gifts: and yet show I unto you a more excellent way.
Tertullian Against Marcion Book V
above all these gifts, He even taught the apostle that it was the chief commandment,[372]Origen Commentary on Matthew Book XIV
was said by Paul in view of our hardness of heart and weakness, to those who do not wish to desire earnestly the greater gifts[190]