Clarke's Bible Commentary - 1 Corinthians 12:7
Verse 7. The manifestation of the Spirit] fanerwsiv tou pneumatov. This is variably understood by the fathers; some of them rendering fanerwsiv by illumination, others demonstration, and others operation.
The apostle's meaning seems to be this: Whatever gifts God has bestowed, or in what various ways soever the Spirit of God may have manifested himself, it is all for the common benefit of the Church. God has given no gift to any man for his own private advantage, or exclusive profit. He has it for the benefit of others as well as for his own salvation.
John Gill's Bible Commentary
Ver. 7. But the manifestation of the Spirit , etc.] Not that which the Spirit manifests, as the grace and love of God, an interest in Christ, the doctrines of the Gospel, and the things of another world; for he is a spirit of revelation, more or less, in the knowledge of these things; but that which manifests that a man has the Spirit of God; or rather the gifts of the Spirit, as the fruits and graces of the Spirit, the least measure of which, as being able to say that Jesus is Lord, shows that a man has the Spirit of God; or rather the gifts of the Spirit, ordinary or extraordinary, which are such as manifestly declare their author: is given to every man ; not that the special grace of the Spirit is given to every individual man in the world, nor to every member of a visible church, for some are sensual, not having the Spirit; but as the same graces of the Spirit are given to every regenerate man, for all receive the same spirit of faith, so the gifts of the Spirit, more or less, either ordinary or extraordinary, are given to all such persons; to profit withal ; not to make gain of, as Simon Magus intended, could he have been possessed of them; nor to encourage pride or envy, or to form and foment divisions and parties; but for profit and advantage, and that not merely private, or a mans own, but public, the good of the whole community or church, to which the least grace or gift, rightly used, may contribute.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 1-11 - Spiritual gifts were extraordinary powers bestowed in the first ages to convince unbelievers, and to spread the gospel. Gifts and grace greatly differ. Both were freely given of God. But where grace is given, it is for the salvation of those who have it. Gifts are for the advantage and salvation of others; and there may be great gifts wher there is no grace. The extraordinary gifts of the Holy Spirit wer chiefly exercised in the public assemblies, where the Corinthians see to have made displays of them, wanting in the spirit of piety, and of Christian love. While heathens, they had not been influenced by the Spirit of Christ. No man can call Christ Lord, with believin dependence upon him, unless that faith is wrought by the Holy Ghost. N man could believe with his heart, or prove by a miracle, that Jesus wa Christ, unless by the Holy Ghost. There are various gifts, and variou offices to perform, but all proceed from one God, one Lord, one Spirit that is, from the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, the origin of all spiritual blessings. No man has them merely for himself. The more he profits others, the more will they turn to his own account. The gift mentioned appear to mean exact understanding, and uttering the doctrines of the Christian religion; the knowledge of mysteries, an skill to give advice and counsel. Also the gift of healing the sick the working of miracles, and to explain Scripture by a peculiar gift of the Spirit, and ability to speak and interpret languages. If we have any knowledge of the truth, or any power to make it known, we must giv all the glory of God. The greater the gifts are, the more the possesso is exposed to temptations, and the larger is the measure of grac needed to keep him humble and spiritual; and he will meet with mor painful experiences and humbling dispensations. We have little cause to glory in any gifts bestowed on us, or to despise those who have the not. (1Co 12:12-26)
Greek Textus Receptus
εκαστω 1538 A-DSM δε 1161 CONJ διδοται 1325 5743 V-PPI-3S η 3588 T-NSF φανερωσις 5321 N-NSF του 3588 T-GSN πνευματος 4151 N-GSN προς 4314 PREP το 3588 T-ASN συμφερον 4851 5723 V-PAP-ASN
Robertson's NT Word Studies
12:7 {Manifestation} (fanerwsis). Late word, in papyri, in N.T. only here and #2Co 4:2, from fanerow, to make manifest (faneros). Each instance of the whole (verse #6) is repeatedly given (didotai, present passive indicative of didwmi). {To profit with} (pros to sumferon). See on #6:12; 10:23,33 for Paul's guiding principle in such matters.
