1 Corinthians 7:7 English Standard Version (ESV) I wish that all were as I myself am. But each has his own gift from God, one of one kind and one of another.
The subject of 1 Corinthians 7 is marital advice from a man who is not married to a woman. He admits that the advice he is giving is from the Lord. This comment about wishing that all men were like himself sounds like he wants men to remain single. Some would argue that point to distraction.
What if Paul is really saying that he wishes that all of us should find and use our gifts in accordance with God’s will for each of us? That will take our thoughts from the issue of marriage advice but it is a point worthy of exploring.
Can we pull ourselves away from what we think long enough to hear what the Holy Spirit is telling us in any moment? There will be times in our studies that something else is at work in the Word besides just the subject matter. This is just one possible example. I will not judge you if you disagree. It is not worth arguing over.
Ephesians 4:8 English Standard Version (ESV) Therefore it says, “When he ascended on high he led a host of captives, and he gave gifts to men.”
This quote is in reference to Psalm 68:18 King James Version
18 Thou hast ascended on high, thou hast led captivity captive: thou hast received gifts for men; yea, for the rebellious also, that the Lord God might dwell among them.
I prefer the KJV here over the ESV because it is clearer to me that the Father gave those gifts to Jesus and our access to those gifts is only through Christ. That truth should humble us. It might be worthy to note that the knowledge of this truth, that the gifts are accessible to the rebellious should warn us, that the gifts do not guarantee that we will be obedient servants.
The gifts are meant to glorify Christ, not ourselves.