Spiritual Persons, Gifts, and Churches: A Commentary on 1 Corinthians 12-14

Spiritual Persons, Gifts, and Churches is a commentary on 1 Corinthians 12-14 by Dr. George M. Flattery. He maintains that Paul’s major concerns are that the believers will be truly spiritual people, that they will properly exercise spiritual gifts, and that the local churches will be spiritual. All of this, Paul declares, should exalt Jesus Christ as Lord and be motivated by love for God and each other. A renewed application of what Paul says will result in spiritually healthy people and churches. According to Dr. Flattery, Paul proclaims that truly spiritual people do not exercise spiritual gifts without love. Neither do they claim to be motivated by love without the use of the gifts. Spiritual people, acting in love, minister to others with the spiritual gifts and thereby edify the body of Christ. The loving manifestation of the Spirit is the hallmark of spiritual churches.