One of the things I’ve been discovering as I prepare for this class is the wide range of opinions on matters that never seemed that important to me. What is interesting, though, is the depth of thought given to these issues, and I think taking a moment to reflect on some of these issues might help you (and me!) think more clearly.

One debate is the nature of “spiritual gifts” verses the “fruit of the Spirit.” The “spiritual gifts” are thought to be described in basically three chapters from Paul’s letters: Romans 12, 1 Corinthians 12 and Ephesians 4. The “fruit of the Spirit” are described in Paul’s letter to the Galatians, chapter 5.

Now, you can read those passages carefully, and discern how Paul uses those categories. Perhaps a better Biblical scholar than me could more clearly articulate the distinctions. But, I would point out that after 1 Corinthians 12, comes chapter 13, which is Paul’s much beloved musings on the nature of love. Chapter 13 sounds quite a bit like the “fruit of the Spirit” in Galatians, and is closely linked to the previous chapter, where Paul describes the spiritual gifts.

I have always felt that Paul was a much less “systematic” thinker than the theologians who came along after him and interpreted his writings. I think Paul uses his language as he needs to to make his points, but I don’t think he was particularly strict with the categories he developed. He was thoughtful, passionate, and at times brilliant! But he was more committed to communicating the grace of God in Jesus Christ than he was in being formal and clear. From a modern view, we might think him sloppy, or we might be tempted to “systematize” him in a way that is more comfortable for us. But I’m not sure that’s true to Paul.

Likewise, I don’t think Paul was constructing a complete list of “spiritual gifts” and “fruits of the Spirit.” Paul wasn’t writing a thorough manual for the church. Rather, Paul was encouraging specific communities of faith that had concerns and struggled with issues that were relevant to their times and places. Paul tried to assist them in their journey of faith. For us today, the work is to place Paul’s writings in the context of their time, considering their intended audience and the struggles they faced and Paul addressed. With that in mind, we might come to more fully understand Paul’s intentions. I think we remain a gifted community, blessed by God to bear fruit worthy of repentance, as John the Baptist suggested in Matthew. But the nature of our gifts/talents/abilities/fruits will be relevant to the times and places we are called to serve, to the challenges our communities face, to the moments we find ourselves working out our faith.