Chapter 12 addresses the topic of spiritual gifts, which was highly controversial in the Corinthian church at the time and gave way to many divisions and ungodly attitudes within the congregation. In this passage Paul addresses the issue, then proceeds to illustrate the right sort of behavior towards spiritual gifts by contrasting the church, both corporately and individually, with the human body.
The Source
Paul starts off his rebuke by reminding the Corinthians of their former ways. He tells them that, just as they were led to idols by some demonic influence, the source of their worship now is the Holy Spirit. He wants them "to understand that no one speaking in the Spirit of God ever says 'Jesus is accursed!' and no one can say 'Jesus is Lord' except in the Holy Spirit" (v.3), and that their talents are God-given - perhaps as a humble reminder that these gifts are indeed of the same Spirit and not of themselves.
Spiritual Gifts
There are many types of spiritual gifts: wisdom, knowledge, faith, healing (which no longer exists in this era, as it was only used to reaffirm Jesus' identity), miracles (same as healing), prophecy (more like teaching or encouragement, according to Ch.14), distinguishing between spirits, speaking in tongues, and interpreting tongues. Everyone is given some kind of gift as a manifestation of the Spirit to minister to others ("for the common good", v.7), but they are meted out as God chooses and purposes.
The Body Analogy
We often hear the church referred to as "the body" or "the body of Christ." As Christians, we are all members of the church; corporately, we make up the larger body of Christ consisting of all Christians in the world. "For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body... and all were made to drink of one Spirit" (v.13). However, though we are all members of the same body, each individual part is unique.
The source of the divisions that have been occurring within the Corinthian church is the fact that some members have received more prominent spiritual gifts and have elevated themselves above their brothers and sisters. It has even gotten to the point that these believers belittle others with quieter, less prominent gifts and claim that they, in fact, do not belong to the body of Christ. This, in turn, has led those humiliated believers to envy and jealousy, desiring the more "showy" gifts rather than the ones God gave them. However, Paul tells them that just because one part of the body claims not to belong because it simply isn't another part, it doesn't make them any less of a part of that body. Every part has a different function, but they all play a role in keeping the body healthy. In fact, the parts of the body that are not visible and less presentable (ie. internal organs) are actually treated with greater respect because of their necessity. Everyone has a different purpose within the church body, but they all share the same mission to keep the body thriving and share the same experiences: if one part of the body suffers, the whole body suffers; if one part rejoices, all rejoice. God designed the church to be diverse in their service (but united in their ultimate duty of glorifying God). Paul reminds them that the body would not exist if there weren't different parts; everyone would just be an eyeball floating in the air or a hand crawling on the ground like it came fresh out of a horror movie... sounds stupid, right?
The Most Excellent Way
In v.31, Paul advises the Corinthians to "honestly desire the higher gifts". Though it may sound paradoxical and contradictory to the entire passage before, I think what he's getting at is that spiritual gifts are only a small part of serving God and that there is something much more important that they as Christans are called to do: love. In Matthew 22, Jesus tells the Sadducees that the greatest commandment is to "love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind... And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets" (v.37,39-40). As God first loved us, so should we love Him and, by loving others, glorify Him. This is further fleshed out in Chapter 13 (coming tomorrow!).
Verses to Remember
"Therefore I want you to understand that no one speaking in the Spirit of God ever says 'Jesus is accursed!' and no one can say 'Jesus is Lord' except in the Holy Spirit." 1 Cor. 12:3
"Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; and there are varieties of service, but the same Lord; and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who empowers them all in everyone. To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good." 1 Cor. 12:4-7
"For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many are one body, so it is with Christ. For in one Spirit we were baptized into one body - Jews or Greeks, slaves or free - and all were made to drink of one Spirit." 1 Cor. 12:12-13
"But God has so composed the body... that there may be no division in the body... that the members may have the same care for one another. If one member suffers all suffer together; if one member is honored, all rejoice together." 1 Cor. 12:24-26
God bless,
Joe Mak
Colossians 3:23-24
No comments:
Post a Comment