In 1 Corinthians 12:1 – 14:40 Paul returns to the questions that the Corinthians had put to him in their letter (as is signified by the phrase now concerning; see further 1 Corinthians 7:1; 1 Corinthians 7:25; 1 Corinthians 8:1).

This time he will discuss the matter of spiritual gifts, particularly as they relate to worship gatherings. In chapter 14 he will focus on prophesy and speaking in tongues, two gifts which were clearly being misapplied by the Corinthians. He begins, however, by giving a broad perspective on spiritual gifts and their place in the church (1 Corinthians 12:1 – 13:13).

Paul begins the discussion with an introductory phrase that was common at the time: I do not want you to be uninformed (see also 1 Corinthians 10:1). The word gifts in the ESV is supplemented; the literal translation being spiritual things.

When Paul addresses the Corinthians as brothers (as he often does in his letter), he is addressing not only the men, but also the women in the church (see Romans 8:29, where all believers are called brothers of Christ).