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Chapter 12
- 1 An emphatic turning to a subject which appears to have been raised by the Corinthians. Paul signals that he is
going to give some clear teaching, which they may not like. They seem to have been congratulating themselves on
their spiritual gift, or charisms.
- 2 As pagan they were often led, almost forcibly by ecstasy or peer pressure, into behaviour which would not be
seemly for Christians. Temple gatherings were often accompanied by drinking and lewd behaviour, as inhibitions
were lowered.
- 3 It is important to be able to discern true charisms from false: the test is the relationship to the Lord. Ecstatic
behaviour may occur in Christian meetings, but noone expressing anathema to Jesus can be being moved by the Holy
Spirit: such would be demonic behaviour and is to be rejected. Indeed formally expressing faith in Jesus as Lord can
only be done with the help of the Holy Spirit.
- 4 There are many gifts or charisms, but they do not work against each other, they are always working for the
extension of the Gospel.
- 5 Similarly various services, but all for the one Lord - providing they are true.
- 6 And various actions - but it is God’s energy which underpins them all.
- 7 Charisms or gifts are given to individuals as they are needed - different gifts to different individuals at different
times. Everyone in the community is given some gifts at some times. All are given to be used for the benefit of the
community, not for the individual’s benefit. Individuals who are given such gifts are not to become self-important.
- 8 Paul then describes several charisms. There are several such lists, all different, in the NT. Often, as here, it is not
easy to distinguish between them nor to understand what was meant by them at the time. What is important is the
concept that the gifts are many, and are to be used for the common good. Wisdom might perhaps be distinguished
from knowledge by seeing wisdom in terms of advice and knowledge in terms of information: wisdom about what to
do, knowledge that helps to understand God, scriptures, or our beliefs.
- 9 Faith here probably means the confidence to persevere in faith or a course of action, in spite of setbacks. The
Greek has “gifts of healings” perhaps implying gifts to heal different forms of sickness, including those of the spirit
or mind. Note that it is the Spirit who heals, and probably ought to be in the context of prayer by the elders (James
5:14) and the whole community, rather than individual healers which word is not used anywhere.
- 10 Apart from healings not many miracles other than by Jesus are described in the NT, but we might recall that by
Peter in Acts (5), or by Paul in Malta (Acts 28). Paul does not claim all these charisms to himself, although clearly he
had several, including those of apostle and teacher. Again Paul seems to be placing such activities firmly within the
body of the Church community, not individuals working alone. Prophecy is speaking the truth about the present -
pointing out wrong directions or behaviour. Discernment of spirits is very important - to be able to identify when
actions are being induced by the Holy Spirit and when not. Eventually Paul gets to the gift of tongues, which the
Corinthians appear to have been rather proud of. Paul immediately points out that such utterances need to be
interpreted.
- 11 But all originate from the same Spirit. And the Spirit allots them where he wills, inspiring and giving one gift to
one person at a particular time, another to someone else, or to the same person at a different time. Quite
unpredictable, all is gift, in accordance with God’s plan. The gifts cannot be forced, the pace of change cannot be
hurried.
- 12 Paul now uses a metaphor common among Greek writers, that of a body composed of many parts making up the
whole. But whereas the Greeks often used this to justify some members of the nation being more important or
entitled to more food or honour that others, Paul insists that there is no difference. All members of the Christian
community are equally essential for its well-being, and none may look down on others - as perhaps some Corinthians
tended to do. All the members of the community are one body, and drawing the similarity with Christ reminds that
this unity with each comes from our unity with Christ. (Note that Paul does not here equate the Christian community
with Christ).
- 13 Paul does not accept any distinction between baptism in water and baptism in the spirit: all - of whatever origin -
were baptised in the one Spirit. And the Spirit then floods into us, overwhelms and consumes us.
- 14 Paul then draws a further, important conclusion: all the members are part of the same body, they are inter-dependant and cannot operate without each other. We cannot practice our faith in isolation, we need the support of
each other in the community, and our faith needs to be practiced in our relationships with all other people, not just
other Christians. Each member has a role to play, given by God. Nor can we opt out because we feel excluded or
believe we have not been given the gifts we would like.
- 15 We need one another, not only for the health of the whole body, but also so that each one of us can reach full
potential. Operating independently reduces the effectiveness of both oneself and of the community. Hence the need
to recognise and develop hidden talents.
- 17 We tend not to appreciate diversity enough, but it should be a strength. We should relish the differences and build
on them. Not forcing square pegs into round holes, or allowing round pegs to become jammed in square holes. Sub-groups need to be integrated. Conservatives need to work with progressives. We can build on constructive
differences.
- 18 God constructed our bodies so that they function as a whole. Similarly God ensures that the Church has members
with the gifts and skills needed for the benefit of the whole Church. And Paul implies that this is true also of each
individual Church, including that at Corinth. A reminder to us, in case we feel that there are not enough “workers” to
do all that needs to be done.
- 19 One person alone is not a Christian community.
- 20 One body, many members.
- 21 None can operate without the other.
- 22 Especially is this true of apparently weaker members - they are indispensable.
- 23 And those we think less respectable, who contribute less or cause noise or problems - they should be given greater
respect. (Go the extra mile!)
- 24 The more respectable members do not need extra care and honour - it is the others who need greater attention and
nurturing.
- 25 Unity is essential - no dissension or arguments within the community. All members should care for each other.
- 26 We share in each others’ suffering, and rejoice if another member has success or is honoured.
- 27 Here Paul concludes that you - the Church at Corinth - are the body of Christ, and all Christians at Corinth are
members of Christ’s body. Belonging to the one body gives security; knowing that our individual contribution is
needed enables us to develop as individuals. Christ’s body is in the world in order to serve. Our gifts are to be used
in ministering to the world, and not turned in within the community.
- 28 Now Paul gives another list of charisms, this time including some not listed previously - apostles, teachers,
helpers, leaders.
- 29 A series of short negative questions emphasises that not all can have all these gifts.
- 31 After all these gifts, Paul says there is a greater gift, which he will now describe.