UNITY, INTERDEPENDENCE, AND GIFTS.
1 Corinthians 12:12-31.
1. The oneness of the body of Christ (1 Corinthians 12:12-14).
The bookends to these three verses emphasise the fact that there is one body and many members (1 Corinthians 12:12a), and that the body does not consist of one member but of many (1 Corinthians 12:14). Sandwiched between these two complementary propositions is the startling statement, “and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: SO ALSO IS CHRIST” (1 Corinthians 12:12b). As Paul explains later in the chapter, “Now you (all) are the body of Christ, and members in particular” (1 Corinthians 12:27).
In 1 Corinthians 12:13, the Apostle Paul provides us with two metaphors: “By one Spirit we all into one body were baptised… and all into one Spirit were made to drink.” The ‘who?’ of this experience is shown in the centre of the verse: “whether Jews or Greeks, whether bondmen or free” - i.e. the Church, which is the body of Christ, ‘all one in Christ Jesus’ (cf. Galatians 3:28).
Baptism is passive, something done to us. But drinking is active, indicating our need to go on infusing the Holy Spirit (so to speak) on a daily basis. We do this through reading and meditating upon the Scriptures, through prayer, and in the exercising of our gifts in a worship context.
2. The interdependence of the parts of the body (1 Corinthians 12:15-27).
Paul’s parable of the body is an interesting and entertaining illustration which humorously grants personality to various parts of the human body. We find the interpretation in certain verses within the parable itself, focusing our attention on what “God” has done. “God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased Him” (1 Corinthians 12:18; cf. 1 Corinthians 12:24; see also 1 Corinthians 12:28).
We see “many members” in the body, but “yet but one body” (1 Corinthians 12:20). God has so cared for us, each individually and as a part of the body of Christ “that there should be no schism in the body.” And “the members should have the same care one for another” (1 Corinthians 12:25).
So, as with our own bodies, so in the body of Christ. When one member suffers, all suffer. When one member rejoices, all rejoice (1 Corinthians 12:26). As Paul says elsewhere, ‘Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep’ (Romans 12:15).
“Now you (all) are the body of Christ, and members in particular” (1 Corinthians 12:27). We do not lose our individuality, but have it confirmed. Each has a role to play in the greater scheme of God.
3. God has appointed a variety of gifts (1 Corinthians 12:28-30).
Elsewhere Paul tells us that the church has been ‘built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief cornerstone’ Ephesians 2:20). Here we have, “first apostles, secondly prophets, thirdly teachers” (1 Corinthians 12:28). One example of a New Testament prophet is Agabus (Acts 11:27-28).
“Teachers” built upon this foundation, as must all pastors and teachers today. ‘I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase’ says the Apostle (1 Corinthians 3:6). James the brother of our Lord counts himself along with those who teach (James 3:1).
1 Corinthians 12:28 may at first appear to be a list of offices within the Church, but after these first three the Apostle speaks of the functions performed rather than the persons performing them. The emphasis is upon the fact that all these are “gifts,” given for the furthering of the cause of Christ and for the edification of the church.
The rhetorical questions of 1 Corinthians 12:29-30 are all questions expecting the answer ‘No!’ By the prompting of the Holy Spirit, and from one situation to another, the distribution of gifts varies from one person to another according to the needs of the congregation at any given time.
4. Pursuing the gifts (1 Corinthians 12:31).
In what way is one gift “better” than another? Surely it is in its appropriateness to any given situation. The Holy Spirit is Sovereign in all these matters and gifts His people accordingly. But rather than have us vying with one another to have this gift or that gift, Paul presents to us an even higher “way" (1 Corinthians 12:31). The way of love (1 Corinthians 13:1-13; 1 Corinthians 14:1).
