Monday, June 23 – 1 Corinthians 12, 13
1. What topic does Paul want the Corinthians to understand better? (1 Corinthians 12:1)
2. What does each member of the body receive, and for what purpose? (1 Corinthians 12:7)
3. Who distributes the gifts in the church and based on what criteria? (1 Corinthians 12:11)
4. What analogy does the apostle use to describe the church in 1 Corinthians 12:27?
5. What are gifts or sacrifices worth without love? (1 Corinthians 13:1–3)
Before anything else, let me recognize and thank God for two extraordinary facts.
First, for the ministry of the Apostle Paul, a Pharisee from the tribe of Benjamin, born in Asia Minor (modern-day Turkey), from an illustrious family, educated in Jerusalem by a great teacher, Gamaliel. He had a brilliant intellect. As a young man, he became a fierce enemy of the Christian faith and a persecutor of the church. As an adult, he was short, possibly hunched, with bent legs. By some accounts, his appearance was unimpressive.
Yet, he was recruited by Jesus Himself. When no one could have imagined it, least of all himself, Jesus said to Ananias: “He is a chosen vessel of Mine to bear My name before Gentiles, kings, and the children of Israel” (Acts 9:15, NKJV). Later, the Holy Spirit instructed the church in Antioch: “Now separate to Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them” (Acts 13:2, NKJV).
How powerfully those words were fulfilled! How mightily God used this vessel to understand Christ’s ministry and sacrifice, advance the gospel, break the church out of its Jewish “shell,” and reveal the ministry of the Holy Spirit. His efforts spread the gospel across Asia and into Europe. Thanks be to God for this servant’s ministry.
Second, we are reading a letter written to a church in a large, significant Greek city! Though flawed and troubled, Christ’s church was still planted in a key European city! Let us celebrate the reach and advancement of the gospel.
Now to today’s reading: the next three chapters (12–14) address the Holy Spirit’s ministry in the church through spiritual gifts. Paul was responding to questions he had received in a letter. There was significant confusion about this topic. Influenced by pagan customs, some misused the gift of tongues, made blasphemous statements, and ranked others by the gifts they possessed. Paul sought to clarify this. As a church, we would do well to heed his teaching.
He begins chapter 12 by saying: “Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I do not want you to be ignorant” (1 Corinthians 12:1, NKJV).
There is a diversity of gifts, ministries, and operations in the church, all under God’s direction (vv. 4–5). Each member receives a manifestation of the Spirit, spiritual gifts, for the benefit of others (v. 7). The Holy Spirit distributes these gifts according to the needs of the church: wisdom, knowledge, faith, healing, miracles, prophecy (including exhortation), discernment, speaking in different kinds of tongues, and interpretation (vv. 8–11).
Just as a physical body must have different parts to be whole, so must the church. A body cannot consist only of hands or ears. Our differences, when united, make us the body of Christ. “But now God has set the members, each one of them, in the body just as He pleased” (v.18). No one is less important. Those who seem less honorable or gifted must be protected and valued (vv. 21–26). God appoints some to one role and others to another. “You are the body of Christ, and members individually” (v.27).
Chapter 13 is a hymn to the love of God poured into His children. There is “a more excellent way” (12:31), not merely a gift but a lifestyle, and that is love. If I spoke every human language, even the tongues of angels, but lacked love, “I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal” (13:1, NKJV). If I had all knowledge, all faith, and even gave my body to be burned, but lacked love, “it profits me nothing” (v.3).
God’s love is the opposite of pride and selfishness. It “suffers long and is kind… does not envy… does not parade itself, is not puffed up… does not seek its own… bears all things… endures all things” (vv.4–7, NKJV). Spiritual gifts will cease, but love never fails (v.8).
May God help us recognize the leadership and ministry of the Holy Spirit, whom Jesus left to guide the church until His return. May we also discern the baptism of the Spirit and its manifestations through the gifts.
May God grant you a blessed day with your loved ones.