(1) Introduction
Just as Paul had to confront the issue
of self-centredness in chapter 11, now Paul has to address misunderstandings
about position and status in chapter 12. There were clearly rivalries and
jealousies in the Corinthian church, along with feelings of spiritual
superiority and independence from others. There may have been those who were
boastful about having what they considered the most important gifts, thereby
putting down other people who were probably still being very effective but in
quiet ways.
Here is Paul’s teaching to counteract
this, which also presents a magnificent theology of the church: everyone is
equal, everyone is important, everyone is gifted in some way, everyone’s gift
is actually for the up-building of the whole, everyone’s gifts should be put
into action to achieve God’s purposes (“the common good”), and everyone is
different (or unique) – the church happily bringing together all such diversity
into a harmonious unity. Corinth was a cosmopolitan seaport full of people from
many different cultures. Whereas that would naturally present difficulties, it
also offered immense potential for a “full-blooded” (multi-faceted) testimony
to Jesus (D Prior).
Paul uses the analogy of the human
body to show how the church should necessarily function. Paul also shows how it
is the Spirit of God who provides all the giftedness required, and who also
guides the functioning of those gifts (in allowing the church to excel in its
mission). It is how the “body of Christ” – the Church – functions under the
leadership of the Holy Spirit, that declares (or indeed fails to declare) that
‘Jesus is Lord’ (v.3). As Jesus once ministered through his own body of flesh
and blood, Jesus continues to minister through another ‘body’ made up of living
beings.
The giftedness we are graced with is
likely to be a combination of the talents we were born with (now given new
focus and redemptive qualities), along with new abilities specially given to us
when we accept Jesus into our lives and receive the Holy Spirit. There is at
least twenty of these Spirit/grace gifts listed within the New Testament in
various places (including the nine in this text). Our far-seeing God will
provide whatever will be necessary for the call that he makes upon corporate
gatherings of his people.
(2) What facets or descriptions of church
functioning do you see here? What words could be used??
·
Interconnectedness
This interconnectedness is essentially
modelled on the Divine Trinity (Father, Son, Spirit) which is also
interconnected (v.4-6), with the complimentary and harmonious roles of gracious
giving (Holy Spirit), sacrificial service (Jesus), purposeful power (God). So there
is an intrinsic necessity for those in the church to likewise work in harmony
together. We would also live out life in close relationship together (v.26) – we
feel what we feel together (see also Romans 12:15, 2 Corinthians 11:29). True relationship
and care is shown through entering into the joys and sorrows of others.
·
Mutuality
The outcomes or benefits of our
collective activity are for everyone to share in – i.e. “the common good” (v.7)
… taking everyone forward together in good directions. It was likely that some
in the church in Corinth were simply ‘showing-off’ with their gifts seeking
their own ends. This ‘mutuality’ is also spelled out in 1 Peter 4:10, which
reads: “Like good stewards of the manifold grace of God, serve one another with
whatever gift each of you has received”.
·
Equivalence
Although the gifts of the Spirit given
are different in each individual case (v.8-11), each person has value to other
people in a completely equitable way. This means that no-one is of greater
value than anyone else, and each one would be missed as much as any other. Everyone
is needed. Everyone has something to give, at the same time as everyone is equally
needing to receive.
·
Interdependence
(v.12-26)
Many members make up one whole unit
(like a complete human body) – if one part of the body doesn’t function as it
should, this negatively affects the health and functioning of the whole body. The
collective body requires all body parts (members) to be functioning as well as
possible. Thus, it takes everyone working effectively and together (more than a
certain few) to provide a real and significant ministry to a community. As an
eye can’t brush teeth, and an ear can’t go for a jog, we are ‘interdependent’
of each other.
·
Diversity
(v.13-17)
People from a variety of backgrounds bound
together can make a wonderful tapestry, especially when everything works beautifully
in harmony … where there is no racial or social divide (unlike in the world). Where
backgrounds, status, age and gender remain issues in the world, a wide variety
of people are brought together in the church by the Holy Spirit (that is at
work amongst God’s people). Thus every sense (eyes, ears) and function (hands,
feet) is covered. This also provides “multiple entry points” for people from ‘outside’,
through the existence of such a wide range of personality types, sensitivities
and interests. And of course, diversity is necessary, because of the diversity
of functions that are necessary to fully embrace God’s mission in the world (ML
Soards). The ‘interplay’ and utilisation of the various gifts develops a
maturity and unity within, that in turn becomes a very good representation of
Jesus to the world [hence the term “body of Christ”].
·
Inclusion
(v.18-21)
Everyone and every part and every gift
is needed and cannot be dispensed with. This is like ‘equivalence’ or ‘equality’
but has to be actively applied. Thus (again unlike the world), there are no
redundancies or voluntary departure packages or even retirement in the church.
In the world of employment many feel unappreciated, unwanted and unneeded –
this should never be the case in the church.
·
Growth
Through experimentation and
encouragement and providing opportunities for various gifts to be tried out and
developed and nurtured, parts of ‘the body’ – people – become more experienced
and capable and mature and cohesive. Such ‘growth’ is very unlikely to
occur, without the gifts being activated. Sometimes people are waiting for
their ‘gifts’ to become apparent, however these ‘gifts’ have already been given
– it will be commitment and experimentation that will bring them out. “It is not
a matter of waiting till something comes over me and forces me, but a readiness
to give out what God has placed in me” (Bittlenger quoted by D Prior). Equally,
opportunities need to be given and shared rather than hoarded or kept under
certain controls.
·
Re-envisioning
(v.15-17, 22-25)
This passage begs a re-envisioning of
corporate life … where things are now seen differently – i.e. people are viewed
differently and more positively than how they may be viewed in the world. The
opinions and fixations of the world are turned on their head! Often the ‘world’
judges by externals, whereas in the church we should consider the depth and
breadth of spiritual possibilities. Verses 15-17 uplift the role of those who
have low estimates of themselves; while verses 21-25 challenge those, who have
low estimates of others, to think again.
(3) Why does all this matter?
Ø It should be a prophetic statement to
the world, which doesn’t … often or ever … look like this … rather is individualistic,
selfish, ego-driven & status conscious, independent, self-sufficient,
closed. The church as a functioning representative body of the Kingdom of God
on earth should be modelling and offering a different way!
Ø This is such a positive and
hope-filled statement about both the potential of human beings, and the
richness of human community!!
Ø This is such a brilliant insight into
our Trinitarian yet unified God!
(4) Why then are we, the church, not the
flavour of the month?
Ø Perhaps we are not responsive enough
to God in terms of standing aside from the more unhelpful cultural norms and
attitudes of society (without of course being elitist or ‘holier-than-thou’,
nor standing aside from people living within such culture – especially those in
pain and need).
Ø Perhaps we are too passive, or too set
in our ways (defined by past days long gone), or too hierarchical, or too
defensive, or too judgmental, or too dismissive, or too exclusive. This was
the way of the Pharisees that Jesus was so critical of.
Ø Perhaps we are resistant to dedicating
our giftedness back into God’s work – in so doing, the rich variety of the
Jesus-following community is hidden, and the church’s corporate activity
appears to the ‘outsider’ as dull and lifeless (instead of diverse and
colourful) – this idea from David Prior (BST commentary).
(5) What then might be some possible
courses of action? What might we give priority to??
Ø Offering Encouragement – seeing the
needs and welfare of others tied to our own welfare … so that each and all can
operate to their full potential.
Ø Taking Responsibility – for own levels
of growth and participation.
Ø Following Spirit-leading – rather than
trying to fit (or even force) round pegs into square holes (or square pegs into
round holes) i.e. trying to fulfil roles (and ministries) that pre-exist in our
minds (in terms of ‘that’s what the church does’), seeing where the particular
giftedness God has given (and will give) us leads. What happens to round pegs
forced into square holes?? They become jammed!! We might also think about
Jesus’ analogy of the uselessness of putting new wine into old wineskins.
Ø Thinking Co-operation – what can we do
together bringing to the table all our diversity … as we do what we can do, we
also create the environment in which others can contribute what they have.
Ø Adopting Openness – being ready to
experiment and try new things, at the same time as being open to forming honest
and caring relationships.
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