1 Corinthians 12

Blessings,

As we continue in our survey of 1 Corinthians, we come to one of the most familiar sections of the book. Chapter 12 leads us to examine spiritual gifts and the function of the body of believers.

The Memory passage is:
1 Corinthians 12:1, 4-7, 27 (ESV)
Now concerning spiritual gifts, brothers, I do not want you to be uninformed.
⁴ Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; ⁵ and there are varieties of service, but the same Lord; ⁶ and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who empowers them all in everyone. ⁷ To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good.
Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it.

The outline theme is "Correct Gifts in the Body"
Paul states his theme early in the chapter. His goal for the Corinthian church is that they 'not be uniformed'. The correction is rooted in the source of the Corinthians spiritual guidance. When they were idolaters, they were led by mute idols; now they are guided by God. Then he gives them a simple test; no one from the Lord will curse Jesus, and only those who have the Spirit will acknowledge Him as Lord.

Then he addresses the use (and misuse) of the gifts given by the Spirit. There are many gifts, services, and activities but they all fall under the sovereign control of God (4-6). And they are given for the common good, not the good of the individual only (7). Following is one of the list of gifts that we find in scripture (for others see 12:28-31, Rom 12:6-8, Eph 4:11, 1 Pet 4:10-11).

This list included nine gifts; wisdom, knowledge, faith, healing, miracles, prophecy, distinguishing spirits, speaking in tongues, and interpreting tongues. Paul never lets us forget (mentioned 6 times in vv7-11) that the Spirit is in charge of giving and managing the gifts.

In verse 12 Paul switches to focus on the body. He starts by stating the metaphor of the human body to the body of Christ (12-13) and then goes into a lengthy argument based on the human body (14-20). His first conclusion is that even though there are many parts, they are still part of one body.

In verses 21-26 we see a glimps of the Masterful design. God is in control of who gets what, who does what, and who gets what glory. It is so in our human bodies and in the body of Christ. Those who are honored less by men can be honored more by God. He 'composed' the body so that there should be no division (24-25). We are individuals, but still members of the body of Christ.

The second list of gifts in this chapter comes in verse 28; apostles, prophets, teachers, miracles, healing, helping, administrating, and various kinds of tongues. Some suppose that the 'ranking' of the first three are in response to the emphasis the Corinthian church was placing on the other gifts. Paul ends the chapter with a reminder that no one person will have all the gifts, and that we should seek to excell in the higher gifts that edify the body.

How does this affect my worship?
The principles in this chapter seem to parallel some of the issues on a praise team or in congregational worship. There are many parts that must work together to lift corporate praise to God. Still more connection can be made to a choir; one part without the other sounds empty and alone. God's design is evident in the need for us all to work together in the body of Christ. No one person has all of the gifts, and so in order to compliment each others' weaknesses we must work together. Worship happens in a variety of ways in a variety of venues. But the cooperation required for corporate worship symbolizes the unity that can be achieved if the individual members of the body work together as a body. To Him be glory forever.

How does this affect my discipleship?
I noticed that these lists of gifts (and the others) do not list 'discipleship'. I do not believe that discipleship is a gift given to certain believers and not others. It is a specific command to all who follow Christ (disciples) to help others follow Christ (make disciples). Using one's gifts, by the power and direction of the Holy Spirit, is essential in the working of the body of Christ. But responding in obedience to the command of the Lord to make disciples is essential in the life of each Christ-follower.

May to walk in the unity of the Spirit today,

Ethan