1 Corinthians 12:14-20 “For the body does not consist of one member but of many. If the foot should say, “Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body,” that would not make it any less a part of the body. And if the ear should say, “Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body,” that would not make it any less a part of the body. If the whole body were an eye, where would be the sense of hearing? If the whole body were an ear, where would be the sense of smell? But as it is, God arranged the members in the body, each one of them, as he chose. If all were a single member, where would the body be? As it is, there are many parts, yet one body.”
This last Sunday, Pastor Obie continued in our church’s sermon series through the Paul’s epistle of First Corinthians, stating that the Apostle uses an analogy of the human body to make a point about the gifts of God to the children of God, their physical and spiritual purpose and practical use for the body of Believers in concerted unity for the intended objectives of life with God’s goals in mind. In this analogy, what was the Apostle Paul drawing a similarity to? To understand the message of the text in context, we must read the chapter as a whole. This chapter was written in a classic A-B-A format with a beginning (verses 1-11), a middle (verses 12-26) and an end (verses 27-31), speaking about “spiritual gifts”, yet much, much more also that affects us and calls us as Christians, being a part of the body of Christ, to action today. In Christ’s church, not one spiritual gift is better than another. All spiritual gifts service a greater purpose for the common good of all.
1 Corinthians 12:1-6 Now concerning spiritual gifts, brothers, I do not want you to be uninformed. You know that when you were pagans you were led astray to mute idols, however you were led. 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. 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.
The first point of the message is that you have part to play in Christian ministry. Sometimes, proper understanding can get lost in translation. In this instance, the Greek word for “spiritual gifts” is “pneumatikos”, meaning “spiritual things”. Strong’s Bible Dictionary defines it as: relating to the human spirit, or rational soul, as part of the man which is akin to God and serves as his instrument or organ; that which possesses the nature of the rational soul; belonging to a spirit, or a being higher than man but inferior to God; belonging to the Divine Spirit; of God the Holy Spirit; or one who is filled with and governed by the Spirit of God. So, a better way of reading 1 Corinthians 12:1 is “Now concerning spiritual things”, because the words “spiritual gifts” changes the crux of the message in verses 4-6. Different gifts but the same Spirit, different service but the same Lord, different activities but the same God – Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
The word “gifts” in verse 4 is the Greek word “Charisma”, meaning the gift of divine grace; grace or gifts denoting extraordinary powers, distinguishing certain Christians and enabling them to serve the church of Christ, the reception of which is due to the power of divine grace operating on their souls by the Holy Spirit. The word “service” (administration in KJV) in verse 5 is the Greek word “diakonia”, meaning service, ministering; of those who by the command of God proclaim and promote religion among men and women. The word “activities” (operations in KJV) in verse 6 is the Greek word “energēma”, meaning thing wrought; effect, operation; workings, results of God’s power. The Apostle was only focusing on the enabling divinely granted gifts, but the service, administration, activities and the operations of spiritual things empowered by God to equip the saints (those sanctified by the Holy Spirit) in everyone for ministry. This is the full thought of this passage. If you are a Christian then you are a part.
Let's continue Pastor Obie's message on 1 Corinthians chapter 12 in the next post.
In Christ, Brian
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