1 Corinthians 12
Spiritual Gifts
1Now about spiritual gifts, brothers, I do not want you to be ignorant. 2You know that when you were pagans, somehow or other you were influenced and led astray to mute idols. 3Therefore I tell you that no one who is speaking by the Spirit of God says, "Jesus be cursed," and no one can say, "Jesus is Lord," except by the Holy Spirit.
4There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit. 5There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. 6There are different kinds of working, but the same God works all of them in all men.
7Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. 8To one there is given through the Spirit the message of wisdom, to another the message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit, 9to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, 10to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of tongues,[a] and to still another the interpretation of tongues.[b] 11All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he gives them to each one, just as he determines.
12The body is a unit, though it is made up of many parts; and though all its parts are many, they form one body. So it is with Christ. 13For we were all baptized by[c] one Spirit into one body—whether Jews or Greeks, slave or free—and we were all given the one Spirit to drink.
14Now the body is not made up of one part but of many. 15If the foot should say, "Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body," it would not for that reason cease to be part of the body. 16And if the ear should say, "Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body," it would not for that reason cease to be part of the body. 17If the whole body were an eye, where would the sense of hearing be? If the whole body were an ear, where would the sense of smell be? 18But in fact God has arranged the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be. 19If they were all one part, where would the body be? 20As it is, there are many parts, but one body.
21The eye cannot say to the hand, "I don't need you!" And the head cannot say to the feet, "I don't need you!" 22On the contrary, those parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, 23and the parts that we think are less honorable we treat with special honor. And the parts that are unpresentable are treated with special modesty, 24while our presentable parts need no special treatment. But God has combined the members of the body and has given greater honor to the parts that lacked it, 25so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other. 26If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it.
27Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it. 28And in the church God has appointed first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then workers of miracles, also those having gifts of healing, those able to help others, those with gifts of administration, and those speaking in different kinds of tongues. 29Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles? 30Do all have gifts of healing? Do all speak in tongues[d]? Do all interpret? 31But eagerly desire[e] the greater gifts.
And now I will show you the most excellent way.
Footnotes:
[a] 1 Corinthians 12:10 Or languages; also in verse 28
[b] 1 Corinthians 12:10 Or languages; also in verse 28
[c] 1 Corinthians 12:13 Or with; or in
[d] 1 Corinthians 12:30 Or other languages
[e] 1 Corinthians 12:31 Or But you are eagerly desiring
2 comments:
1 Cor 12
I think that this is certainly one of the more well-known chapters of the Bible, and I think it strikes me in this reading as a reassurance that I am here (in graduate school) with a purpose for God. A year ago at this time, I was stuck in a huge rut, and as I straightened my walk with God, I was further overwhelmed by a feeling that I wasn't serving His purpose-which actually added to the rut. A few of His well-placed servants some of which spawned the initial iterations of our online group helped me realize that God really does have me here for a purpose. And moreover even if I'm the sole of the foot of the body, I'm really excited that I can be of some help, even if its just stepping on nails once in a while.
I'm sure that Paul wrote this to quell some hierarchical divisions in the church, but I think it applies even more today where increased wealth (and poverty) have spread the church's members into many different places. I find two messages, one) we're in the place we're in for a reason, and two)pay special attention to those who might not be in the same position as you.
Lord, give us men as a group the strength to fulfill our function in the church body, whatever that may be. Give us the wisdom to recognize, accept, and succeed at whatever task(s) you have put before us. Thank you for Your Son, Your Mercy, and Your Grace.
Amen
In Christ,
crb
1 Cor 12
I agree with crb here. Obviously these guys were letting a few things go to there heads about who was more important. Verses 4-7 and 25-6 are a pretty good summary.
4Now there are different kinds of spiritual gifts, but it is the same Holy Spirit who is the source of them all. 5There are different kinds of service in the church, but it is the same Lord we are serving. 6There are different ways God works in our lives, but it is the same God who does the work through all of us. 7A spiritual gift is given to each of us as a means of helping the entire church.
25This makes for harmony among the members, so that all the members care for each other equally. 26If one part suffers, all the parts suffer with it, and if one part is honored, all the parts are glad.
Several of us have mentioned how quickly the "we thing" goes out the window when "our rights" have been infringed upon and we start looking out for number 1 or our family. That is living for ME. I know that this unselfish attitude chance I desire is going to take awhile.
Father God, change our hearts and mind to conform to Your Perfect Will.
In Christ,
cas
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