This section of 1 Corinthians 12 is still dealing the question relative to spiritual gifts (12:1). But we see three key words in this half of the chapter: “body”, which is used 14 times; “member”, which is used 15 times; and “all”, used 7 times.
We also want to emphasize that the context of this discussion is hearing communication from God (12:1-3). Mute idols do not talk. God does, through His Spirit in His prophets (see Neh. 9:20, 30), and it is the miraculous that reveals that the Spirit is communicating through someone (12:7). Paul also emphasizes that God is the one who sets things in order in His church: 12:6-7, 11, 18, 24, 27.
All these gifts are for the “common good” (12:7). So Paul points out that there is diversity among gifts but there must be unity in the body of Christ (12:12-14).
In a long discussion, Paul gives a twofold application of the “body” metaphor (12:15-26). Some were being arrogant, thinking that they were superior, perhaps because they could speak in foreign languages. But God gives more abundant honor to those members who lack such honor from fellow members.
So God set members in His body, the church, as He desires so there will be no divisions (cf. 1:10; 11:18) and so the members will care for one another. In caring for one another, we suffer with them and we rejoice with them. If one part of our body receives honor, the whole body feels honored, like a certain young lady with an engagement ring!
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In 12:27-31, Paul shows how the church in the first century was diversified. There were apostles, prophets, teachers, workers of miracles, healers, helpers, administrators, and speakers of foreign languages and their interpreters. Christians are individually members of one single body.
In chapter 14, Paul will show that the greatest gifts are those which communicate the will of God (remember the theme of this discussion is communication from God – 12:1-3). Here, Paul says love is the context in which all miraculous gifts should be used.
Next week, we’ll look at Paul’s discussion on love in the context of the miraculous gifts.
Paul Holland
