1 Corinthians 12-14

In these chapters Paul shifts his focus to the gifts of the Holy Spirit, what is most important, and some of the abuses that the Corinthians were guilty of in their church meetings.  Chapter 12 provides a list of many Spiritual Gifts that are available to believers through the baptism of the Holy Spirit, but such gifts are given for the benefit of the church as a whole, and not for the individual.  Each believer is a small part of the whole body of Christ, with each one having unique roles that they are best suited for.  The whole body suffers when individuals do not use their gifts for the benefit of each other.

Yet, Paul tells us in chapter 13 that there is no benefit to all of the Spiritual gifts when the person wielding them does not do so in the love of Jesus Christ.  Without love for God and each other, all the Spiritual gifts we might have accomplish nothing.

Lastly, the Corinthians were allowing chaos to reign in their church services, with some people suddenly speaking in tongues (with no interpretation), and men and women talking at all times.  Paul tells them that God is a God of decency and order, and such things are not pleasing to Him.  There should be no more than a few messages in tongues, and then only when interpretations are given.  It is not a sign of spiritual maturity for such things to be going on in our church services.