These verses introduce the topic of spiritual gifts of chapter 12 but with ambiguous terminology in the Greek. The word "gifts" does not appear in verse 1, but pnuematikos (Greek) which can mean spiritual things or spiritual persons. This sermon gives strong evidence that Paul is speaking here about spiritual persons.
We show this be citing earlier passages in 1 Corinthians where this same Greek word is applied to spiritual persons. Those in the Corinthian church were prone to boasting of their spiritual status when comparing themselves with each other. This has been address in numerous contexts. Here Paul warns of deception and gives the means of judging the claims of those who say they are 'spiritual.'
The truly spiritual have received the Spirit and confess Jesus as Lord. All who are part of the adopted family of God are spiritual. The spirituality of the world sees the true Jesus of the Bible as "anathema" (from the Greek of verse 3). We cite numerous passages showing the centrality of the confession of Christ. We also continue to warn against spiritual elitism in the church.
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