The Spirit gives every Christian a gift to be used for the edification of others, and in this vital section of Scripture, Paul instructs the church about the beautiful variety and vital unity of true spiritual gifts.

Due to their immense pride, the Corinthians were abusing spiritual gifts, using them to bolster notoriety, instead of to honor Christ. So Paul responds, reminding them that true works of the Spirit will always point to Christ, and bring holy harmony, and edification, to the church.

The elitist Corinthians had turned communion into a status gathering; the rich enjoying their hors d'oeuvres in the dining room, while the poor ate leftovers on the back porch. Paul responds by canceling their love-feast, and calling the entire group to self-examination before they dare to eat again.

Similar to the modern American church, the church of Corinth had begun to blur and obfuscate genders, including the heart with which male and females arrived for worship. In this passage, Paul clarifies the proper church order for men and women, based on God's created design, and in the Godhead itself.

Due to the Corinthians' pride, they had begun to use their Christian freedoms to live with license, often causing others to stumble. So Paul responds, reminding them that a Christian's entire life exists for the glory of God and good of men.