First Corinthians 12
Monday, February 24 1 Corinthians 12:1-3
“Now aboutspiritual gifts”
Responding to the Corinthian question aboutspiritual gifts, Paul continues the theme of behavior in worship from chapter11. Some in the Corinthian church wereapparently equating spirituality with the exercise of the more spectaculargifts in worship. This chapter willinsist on the need for diversity of gifts within the unity of the body. Chapter 13 stresses that without love thegifts are worthless. Chapter 14 thenfocuses on two of the more controversial gifts used in worship – prophecy andtongues – telling the Corinthians to prefer the former to the latter.
Part of the problem with how spiritualgifts were being used in Corinth was that they had not made a radical enoughbreak from their pagan backgrounds, which employed counterparts to many of thecontroversial gifts discussed here, especially tongues and prophecy. Some of them had undoubtedly spoken seeminglyinspired utterances during various Greco-Roman religious rituals. In those settings, participants who had heardof Christ’s claims might well have cursed him, so Paul notes that no one cansincerely do such a thing who is a true believer.
By the Holy Spirit, we declare Jesus Christas Lord. Amen.
Tuesday, February 25 1 Corinthians 12:4-6
“Different kinds –same purpose”
Paul arrangesthese three verses using Trinitarian language - “Spirit,” “Lord,” and “God” - examiningspiritual gifts from three different angles: They are bestowed freely by theSpirit’s grace (v. 4), are intended to be used in a Christ-like attitude ofservanthood (v. 5), and are the result of the Father’s powerful working in aperson’s life (v. 6).
Some of thegifts were quite spectacular, and those who possessed them had a tendency to beproud. The gifts that were exercised inthe context of worship gave high visibility and prominence to those whopossessed them, and it is easy to see, knowing the very human tendency to putself forward, how these individuals might begin to think that they were moreimportant than the others. On the otherhand, some of the members were given gifts that were exercised in less dramaticways – in a servant role, for example – and it is easy to see how because ofthe quiet and unseen way in which they did their part they might wonder iftheir gift was important and if they were really needed in the church.
Wethank you, Holy Spirit, for giving us gifts for the good of the church. Amen.
Wednesday, February 26 1 Corinthians 12:7-11
“Each of us has a spiritual gift”
Paul stressesthat all Christian have at least one spiritual gift, and it is to be used forthe common good (v. 7). In verses 8-10,Paul lists a total of nine gifts, dividing them into three sections: wisdom andknowledge (v. 8); faith, healings, miracles, prophecy, and distinguishing betweenspirits (vv. 9-10a); and tongues and their interpretations (v. 10b). This list represents the more miraculousgifts, precisely because they were what the Corinthians were overly stressingin divisive ways. Chapter 14 willelaborate in more detail on both prophecy and tongues and on appropriateresponses to each.
Paul repeatedlystates that all spiritual gifts come from the same Spirit. And because it is the Holy Spirit, and notindividual merit, who determines who gets what gifts (v. 11), they cannot beused to mark out anyone for special status within the church. All Christians are given at least onespiritual gift by the Spirit. Some mayreceive more than one, at the same time or at different times in life.
We dedicate toyour purposes, Lord, your gifts to us. Amen.
Thursday, February 27 1 Corinthians 12:12-21
“One body with many parts”
Paul develops the metaphor of the churchas the body of Christ. Just as the humanbody has many different parts that make up the one body, so the church has manyparts (i.e., persons with different spiritual gifts) that make up the body ofChrist. He gives a rationale fordiversity within unity by speaking of the make-up of the congregation: thosewho are being saved come from a diversity of ethnic and socioeconomicbackgrounds, but all are united in the church by the Holy Spirit when, at themoment of conversion, the Spirit comes to dwell in each person.
In verses 15-21 Paul underlines what isdemonstrable with respect to a human body: all the parts serve an importantfunction, regardless of any claims to the contrary. Without the diversity that comes fromspecialization of function, one no longer has an organism, merely one giantorgan, unable to accomplish much of anything. Further, it is not according to human decision-making that the parts ofthe body of Christ are arranged as they are, but God who has put each partprecisely where he wants it.
We are a diversecongregation, Lord, united by the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Friday, February 28 1 Corinthians 12:22-26
“God has put thebody together”
Where there is seemingly less value,power, or honor in the body, compensation occurs to preserve relativeequality. In fact, the true value of aparticular body part is often inversely proportional to its outward appearance. When Paul speaks of weaker body parts he maybe thinking of fingers or toes, or the less protected organs such as one’seyes. The “less honorable” parts mayrefer to internal organs, usually covered by clothing. The “unpresentable parts” most naturallyrefer to genitalia and the excretory tracts.
Paul’s fundamental concern is that thegifts and/or people the Corinthians are demeaning should be affirmed, whilethose they are overly exalting should be put in more balanced perspective. Verse 26 rounds out Paul’s discussion of thebody with another reminder of mutuality and interdependence. One individual’s joy or suffering shouldprove contagious throughout the entire community of believers.
We will care for one another, Lord, withoutregard for our differences. Amen.
Saturday, February 29 1 Corinthians 12:27-31a
“A listing of someof the spiritual gifts”
These verses complete the chapter with onefinal restatement of the body metaphor and another listing of samplegifts. But this time Paul’s main pointis that no single gift is intended for all believers - the rhetorical questionsin verses 29-30 all have the implied answer, “No.” This list includes some of the same and somedifferent gifts as in verses 8-10. “Apostles” are those sent out with a divine message – we might call themmissionaries or church-planters today. “Prophets” are those who regularly proclaim God’s Word, and “teachers” helpthose who are hearing God’s Word to apply it to their daily lives.
To take “first,” “second,” and “third” inverse 28 as a ranking in significance would clearly violate the whole point ofPaul’s discussion thus far. So it isbest to see in this enumerate a chronological priority. To establish a local congregation requires achurch-planter, then the regular proclamation of God’s Word, followed by thosewho instruct in discipleship. Only atthis point does a viable Christian fellowship exist to enable all the othergifts to come into play.
Youbless our church, Lord, with the gifts needed to do your work. Amen.