In 1Corinthians 12 Paul writes to a church that has been founded in the "sin city" of the first century. There were lots of problems in the Corinthian church. One of the problems was a lack of understanding about Spiritual gifts. The Corinthians coming out of their pagan backgrounds didn't understand that the gifts of the Holy Spirit were not to be exercised in a fleshly, self centered way. The origional purpose of the gifts was to bless the entire church, not to impress others with a dramatic show. Paul didn't say stop pursuing Spiritual gifts - he was saying you are going about it in the wrong way.
The gifts are supposed to strengthen the church, helping it to become whole and well and fully functioning as a body so that it can fulfill the mission God has given it. But all too often we turn the things of God that were supposed to be blessings into something ugly and fleshly. In many churches people become the focus as they pursue Spiritual status in the church by fleshly displays.
Much of the church rejects the notion of the gifts of the Holy Spirit because they haven't seen the real thing. As Paul concludes chapter 12 he says that the Corinthians should eagerly seek the gifts but that he wanted to show them the better way to do it. Chapter 13 is the better way. In other words Paul was showing them the right atmosphere in which God intended the gifts to flow and be effective. That atmosphere is something so opposite from what we commonly see. 1 Cor 13 is known as the love chapter and is often read at weddings, but in reality the context of 1Cor 13 is teaching about the proper use of Spiritual gifts.
1Co 13:1 If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. 2 If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. 3 If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing. 4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. 8 Love never fails….
He is giving them a filter in which to measure their experience with the gifts. He is also showing them the only way that the gifts will bless the church and draw people to Christ. In the Spirit is beautiful and draws people to Christ. Trying to manifest gifts in the flesh is ugly and repels people from the church and Christ.
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