Why does Paul deal with one topic after another in 1 Corinthians?
The Corinthian congregation had sent Paul a letter containing a list of questions and problems. He responds to them in the order they were written, addressing each concern sequentially, which is why the letter moves from one topic to the next, including spiritual things in chapter 12.
Les explains that Paul seemingly received a letter from the Corinthian congregation with a whole list of questions. Just as someone today answers several questions in the order they were written, Paul does the same in 1 Corinthians. In chapter 7, verse 1, Paul says, “Now concerning the things whereof you wrote unto me,” and then he deals with one problem after another as they had evidently listed it in that letter. When he comes to chapter 12, he starts out the same way: “Now, concerning spiritual things.” That was another question in the letter, and Paul covers it as only he could by inspiration.