Monday, January 3, 2011
Gifts Expressed in Love
(1 Corinthians 12:1-13:13)
The misuse of some of the Holy Spirit's gifts is the next area of correction by Paul for the church at Corinth. In this chapter we discover, as with all things, love is the filter through which all things must be purified. First, he expresses his concern that we all should make sure we are "not being ignorant" about the gifts of the Spirit, or for that matter any other area of truth. In the current situation, what had arisen was a use of the gifts that was insensitive to the misunderstanding that was being created because of how the gift of tongues was being used. The use of the gifts had also become a platform to exalt one's self in the eyes of others. In 14:12, 17-19 and 23, Paul points out that the use of tongues is primarily to find personal spiritual edification. The misuse of this gift had actually caused some to see Christians as mentally unbalanced (14:23). He therefore gave clear guidelines on how best to express this gift so it would serve and edify the believers, rather than stumble them (14:6-25).
The edification of God's people must be at the center of why the gifts of the Holy Spirit are used. For this reason, Paul lays a foundation in chapter 12 that the distribution of spiritual gifts are given to enable each believer to edify others, to serve and build up fellow Christians. It is not a platform to bring attention to ourselves, but just the opposite. It is an opportunity to express God's love to one another. It is for this reason that Paul places chapter 13 between 12 and 14. These two chapters deal with how to use gifts in the gathering of Christians. But at the center of their use must be the goal of love. This is why we are told that love is the most excellent gift that assures all other gifts will be used to create lasting value. Without love the most amazing display of gifts is completely in vain, empty, and of no value in God's eyes. We are told to keep ever before us that love will be the only gift we give others that will endure eternally (13:8-13).
With this in mind, Paul goes to great lengths to describe the rich value of every person that makes up the body of Christ. As a matter of fact, he especially gives credit to the parts of the body that may appear to be of less honor (12:22-25). Our gifts will be as different as the different parts of our physical bodies. But we need every part—we need each other! God has built an interdependency in the body of Christ just as He has in our natural bodies. A great and mighty tree is nothing if it does not have soil to be rooted in, sun to bask in, and water to drink. Likewise, we are given diversities of gifts, different ministries, activities, and manifestations of the Spirit for a reason. We need this diverse and interdependent life that is God's design for us.
Therefore, may none of us hold back from being fully what we are called to be and do in His body. If we do hold back, all other parts of Christ's spiritual body will suffer. May we not devalue any person or his or her unique contribution to the whole. We are nothing without each other.
NKJV Bible Text
1 Corinthians 12:1-13:13
1 Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I do not want you to be ignorant: 2 You know that you were Gentiles, carried away to these dumb idols, however you were led. 3 Therefore I make known to you that no one speaking by the Spirit of God calls Jesus accursed, and no one can say that Jesus is Lord except by the Holy Spirit.
| v. 1 concerning spiritual gifts – Paul used the word "concerning" to refer to several topics the believers in Corinth had written him about (1 Cor. 7:1; 7:25; 8:1, 4). It can be compared to our "subject line" in an e-mail or "Re:" in a memo. He addresses their questions regarding spiritual gifts. spiritual gifts – literally "that of the Spirit" (i.e. the blessings and gifts the Holy Spirit gives to believers) ignorant – unaware and uninformed v. 2 you were Gentiles – Most of the Corinthian believers had been pagans and not part of the Jewish people. carried away – "led astray by force" — When someone chooses darkness, Satan and his powers can force him into deeper evil and error. dumb idols – not "dumb" in the sense of stupid, but mute and unspeaking – The Old Testament prophets mocked idols as deaf and dumb, unable to respond to those who worshipped them (Is. 41:21-24). | however you were led – People are led into error and darkness in many different ways. v. 3 no one speaking by the Spirit of God calls Jesus accursed – This would seem obvious, but Paul is saying that there is a clear dividing line between speaking inspired by God's Spirit and that which is spiritual darkness. The test is what one has to say about Jesus. To say, "Anathema Jesus!" ("Jesus be cursed!") never originates from God. Some Bible scholars suspect that there was a group in Corinth who were saying this to emphasize that Jesus' life and story were unimportant; it was the spiritual "Christ" that counted. Paul makes it clear that without the earthly Jesus one cannot have the heavenly "Christ." except by the Holy Spirit – To say "Kurios Jesus" ("Jesus is Lord!") in Roman society, where everyone was saying "Caesar is Lord!", sometimes meant putting your life on the line. To truly do this requires the work of God's Holy Spirit in the heart of a person. |
4 There are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. 5 There are differences of ministries, but the same Lord. 6 And there are diversities of activities, but it is the same God who works all in all. 7 But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all: 8 for to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, to another the word of knowledge through the same Spirit, 9 to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healings by the same Spirit, 10 to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another discerning of spirits, to another different kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. 11 But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually as He wills.
| v. 4-6 – The different ways believers serve God are related to their different spiritual gifts. But all the "work" that is accomplished is due to God Himself acting in them. (Note also what theologians call the "trinitarian" formula that Paul uses here: "Spirit... Lord... God"; the entire Godhead is involved with His people.) v. 6 God who works all in all – In the face of the diversity and variety of Christian activities, Paul emphasizes that it is still the same God who is at work among all His people in every genuine spiritual manifestation. v. 7 given to each one – Paul emphasizes the fact that God's Spirit is at work in each and every believer. None are left out. for the profit of all – benefit, common good — The activity of the Holy Spirit in each believer works for the good of all those who belong to Christ. v. 8-10 – Paul now lists different "manifestations" of the Spirit (i.e. signs of the presence of God's Holy Spirit that are given to different believers). These work for the benefit of all God's people. The emphasis of this passage is not on the manifestations themselves but on the source of the gifts. This is underlined by the constantly repeated phrase, "the same Spirit." v. 8 word of wisdom – A divine "word of wisdom" applies God's principles of proper living to our personal reality and connects a practical situation or question of life with God's wisdom. In 1 Corinthians 2:4, Paul contrasted persuasive "human wisdom" with wisdom that comes from the "power of God." This "wisdom of God" connects life to His eternal plan in Jesus to redeem His world (1 Cor. 1:21-24). This gift helps us effectively deal with the challenging issues that face us in the world and interpersonal relationships by seeing them in perspective of God's purpose in Jesus for the world and us. word of knowledge – A "word of knowledge" does not just give information but the ability to "connect the dots" and understand what that information means. It may involve supernatural awareness of things we would not otherwise know. Compare this with Jesus' supernatural knowledge of individuals and circumstances (John 2:23-25, 4:18). Knowledge that comes from God's Spirit will always be in harmony with the scriptures. The Bible must be the standard for evaluating all teaching, correction, and training (2 Tim. 3:16). Paul says that the key danger for those who have knowledge is that it can result in arrogance or pride (1 Cor. 8:1). v. 9 faith – This gift, according to 13:2, generates the kind of faith that can move mountains, but it must be used with love. True faith, according to Hebrews 11, involves understanding, courage and action – all based on recognizing God's dependability and His promise to act for His people. This gift cannot be exercised apart from God's will and His promises in the scriptures. It is given so that we can accomplish His purposes in the world. | gifts of healing – This is the only time that the plural word "gifts" is used in the verse. It may imply that a person with this manifestation of the Spirit does not simply have the power to heal everyone, but rather in each situation God reserves the right to decide whether or not to give healing. by the same Spirit – literally "by the one Spirit" — The contrast in these verses is unmistakable: different believers with differing manifestations but only one Holy Spirit who is at work. v. 10 working of miracles – This manifestation of the Spirit involves God overruling the normal course of nature and His natural laws. These laws are the general pattern He has ordained for the world, but He can give power that suspends them to accomplish His purposes in redeeming His lost creation. prophecy – The gift of prophecy is an enabling by the Holy Spirit to provide light upon past, present, or future issues facing God's people. Prophetic utterances do not have the same status as the prophecy of scripture. They must be judged according to their harmony with the Word of God and are susceptible to the influence of the person the Spirit of God is using (1 Cor. 14:29-32). discerning of spirits – the ability to distinguish between spiritual manifestations that are from God and those that are from human or demonic sources different kinds of tongues – In scripture, tongues are a gift of the Spirit that enable a believer to worship or prophesy in a language that is unknown to him or her. Tongues can be used by the Holy Spirit to build up the personal spiritual life of a believer. In chapter 14, Paul gives more information on this gift and also provides guidelines for the use of it in public gatherings. interpretation of tongues – As we will see in 1 Corinthians 14, tongues are not to be used for speaking in public gatherings without interpretation. The gift of interpretation is given so that the meaning of the utterance can be given in a language the people listening can understand. v. 11 distributing to each one individually as He wills – Paul emphasizes that the different spiritual gifts are manifestations of one and the same Spirit. He also makes clear that they are distributed to each and every man or woman who knows Christ. No one is without a gift. God distributes the gifts as He wishes, not as we would. |
Unity and Diversity in One Body
12 For as the body is one and has many members, but all the members of that one body, being many, are one body, so also is Christ. 13 For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free—and have all been made to drink into one Spirit. 14 For in fact the body is not one member but many.
15 If the foot should say, "Because I am not a hand, I am not of the body," is it therefore not of the body? 16 And if the ear should say, "Because I am not an eye, I am not of the body," is it therefore not of the body? 17 If the whole body were an eye, where would be the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where would be the smelling? 18 But now God has set the members, each one of them, in the body just as He pleased. 19 And if they were all one member, where would the body be?
| v. 12 – Beginning with verse 12, Paul introduces the most prominent image of the church in all of scripture: the Body of Christ. one body...many members.../many members...one body – Paul emphasizes the point he wants to make by reversing the same phrase. v. 13 by [or in] one Spirit we were all baptized into one body – "We all..." means all who belong to Christ. Each of the four Gospels records the promise that Jesus would baptize God's people in the Holy Spirit (Matt. 3:11; Mark 1:8; Luke 3:16; John 1:33). Baptism in His Spirit is what Jesus does to make each believer part of His body, the church. Jews or Greeks, slaves or free – The huge social divisions of Roman society no longer counted in the body of Christ. All partake of His Spirit. | and have all been made to drink into one Spirit – Jesus gives the Holy Spirit. In John 7:37-39, He invites "all who are thirsty" to come to Him. He promises to give them to drink of the Spirit, which will become as an artesian well within them, overflowing and fresh. v. 14-17 – These verses emphasize the fact that it is not the parts of the body that choose where they should be placed. There is no room for self-pity at having a less prominent gift; each and every part of the body is vital for the working of the whole. v. 18 just as He pleased – God has arranged the members of the body of Christ (each individual with his or her gifts) according to His will. v. 19-24 – Just as verses 14-17 explain, there is no place for self-pity over receipt of a supposedly unimportant gift. These verses make clear that there is no room for self-exaltation and boasting at having a more prominent public gift and role in the body. |
20 But now indeed there are many members, yet one body. 21 And the eye cannot say to the hand, "I have no need of you"; nor again the head to the feet, "I have no need of you." 22 No, much rather, those members of the body which seem to be weaker are necessary. 23 And those members of the body which we think to be less honorable, on these we bestow greater honor; and our unpresentable parts have greater modesty, 24 but our presentable parts have no need. But God composed the body, having given greater honor to that part which lacks it, 25 that there should be no schism in the body, but that the members should have the same care for one another. 26 And if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; or if one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it.
| v. 24 God composed the body – God Himself arranged the members of the body together. having given greater honor to that part which lacks it – Prominence in public does not equal honor before God; He values the faithful service of the smallest of us. v. 25 no schism – God purposely combined believers into the body of Christ in such a way that there should be no division between them. | the same care for one another – Believers in the body of Christ should have equal concern for each other, regardless of what gift or place of visibility each has. v. 26 one member... all the members – Whether in suffering or honor, believers are connected to each other. |
27 Now you are the body of Christ, and members individually. 28 And God has appointed these in the church: first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, administrations, varieties of tongues. 29 Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Are all workers of miracles? 30 Do all have gifts of healings? Do all speak with tongues? Do all interpret? 31 But earnestly desire the best gifts. And yet I show you a more excellent way.
| v. 27 Now, you are the body of Christ – The plural "you" refers to the Corinthian believers together. and members individually – Each believer is personally integrated by God into the body of Christ. v. 28-31 – Having shown the importance of each believer and his or her gifts for the total body, Paul goes on in these verses to present how the gifted members are structured and have an ordered position in the church so that they may work together in harmony. v. 28 God has appointed these – The word "appointed" literally means, "set." In verse 18, Paul says that God has "set" the members in the body with their various gifts. In this verse, he makes clear that God has also "set" people in different positions of responsibility for the church. first...second...third...apostles... prophets...teachers – Having made clear the differences in manifestations and gifts of the Spirit in the body, Paul now outlines the different ministries in the church (v. 5). God has appointed these gifted people to lead and guide His people. apostles – literally "a person sent on a mission" — After the coming of the Holy Spirit, apostles were sent out with the special task of proclaiming the Gospel and establishing churches. According to Ephesians 2:19-21, the church is built upon the ministry of the apostles and prophets. | See verse 10 above for explanations of several of the gifts associated with these ministries (prophecy, miracles, gifts of healings, tongues). helps – literally "those who help" (i.e. people who have the gift of aiding others in various ways). administrations – literally "leadership or managerial skill" — The same word is used for someone who pilots a ship. A person with this gift can help the church navigate difficult times and crises without crashing on the rocks. v. 29-30 – Paul frames these questions in a way that a negative answer is expected: "All are not apostles, are they? All are not prophets, are they?" v. 31 earnestly desire the best gifts – "Eagerly desire the greater gifts" (i.e. those in v. 28) who benefit the church the most). a more excellent way – a way that surpasses all others — Paul says, however, that there is a way of living (chapter 13) that surpasses even having the greatest gifts to exercise. |
1 Corinthians 13
The Greatest Gift
1 Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal. 2 And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. 3 And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, but have not love, it profits me nothing.
4 Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; 5 does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; 6 does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; 7 bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.
| Chapter 13 This chapter is the most famous statement about love in the entire Bible. The Greek word Paul uses for "love" is agape, the love that is rooted in God's person and character and that reflects His attitude toward us and concern for us. v. 1 tongues of men and of angels – "Tongues" refers to languages. In their encounters with human beings described in the Bible, angels speak in a way that the person can understand. So this may be Paul's way of saying "languages beyond anything we can imagine." In 2 Corinthians 12:2-5, he recounts his experience of being "caught up to Paradise" where he heard "inexpressible words" that man is not permitted to tell. sounding brass – a gong v. 3 give my body to be burned – as a martyr for Christ it profits me nothing – I gain nothing. v. 4 love suffers long – i.e. love is patient | love does not envy – Envy or coveting is not "jealousy." Jealousy can be linked to love and is a completely fitting emotion when it is toward inappropriate and wrongly directed love, attention, and devotion. In the Bible, God is "jealous" when His people go after idols. But coveting or envy wants something or someone for oneself without considering God's perspective or what is best for the other person. It is an attempt to "possess" and control things or people without respect for proper boundaries. love does not parade itself – Love is not boastful and full of itself. not puffed up – Love is not conceited and arrogant. v. 5 does not behave rudely – Love handles others gently and does not purposely embarrass them. does not seek its own – Love is not self-seeking, always trying to get the best "piece of the pie" for oneself. is not provoked – Love is not irritable and easily angered. thinks no evil – Literally, love does not reckon up wrongs done to it. iniquity...truth – The Bible contrasts evil and truth. According to 1 John 1:6, having fellowship with God means "living by the truth." v. 7 bears all things – Love is not focused on claiming its "rights." |
8 Love never fails. But whether there are prophecies, they will fail; whether there are tongues, they will cease; whether there is knowledge, it will vanish away. 9 For we know in part and we prophesy in part. 10 But when that which is perfect has come, then that which is in part will be done away.
11 When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child; but when I became a man, I put away childish things. 12 For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I also am known.
13 And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love.
| v. 8 prophecies will fail – "they will cease"— When the fulfillment of all things has come, prophecy will have completed its purpose and be no more. tongues will cease – Speaking in tongues will no longer be needed. knowledge will vanish away – The gift of knowledge will also no longer be needed. v. 9 – In this verse, Paul pictures our present state and situation – everything is "incomplete" (i.e. "in part"). v. 10 which is perfect has come – When perfection comes, that which is imperfect disappears. Paul explains in verse 12 that the contrast is between "now" and "then." This is true not only for him, but for all believers. | v. 11 when I was a child – This is the time of our "childhood." We talk, think, and reason like children. Paul looks forward to the day when we will be fully mature and put all this behind us. v. 12 then face to face – The "then" that Paul is writing about is when we see God "face to face." 1John 3:2 describes this: "Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is." Now I know in part – Paul contrasts our present partial "knowing" (through a dim or obscure image) with knowing then fully or completely, just as God knows us. v. 13 faith, hope, and love – These three virtues are the things that will go with us from "now" into "then," from our present state of dimness to knowing God face-to-face. And of these three, the greatest is love. |
