The apostle Paul wrote his first letter to the church at Corinth regarding issues such as disunity (1 Corinthians 1-4), immorality (1 Corinthians 5-6), marriage (1 Corinthians 7), personal freedom (1 Corinthians 8-10), and proper worship (1 Corinthians 11). The Corinthian believers had not been maturing in their faith and Paul was concerned for their personal and corporate growth. In the next few chapters of this letter, Paul addressed another issue facing the Christians at Corinth: spiritual gifts (12:1-14:40). These gifts had been given to each believer at the moment of faith and enabled them to build and strengthen the church (12:1); however, some Corinthians were practicing bizarre experiences associated with their former pagan lifestyle (12:2-3). Apparently they were practicing these demonic expressions in the name of Jesus (12:3), so Paul wrote to correct their thinking and reveal the true nature of spiritual gifts from the Holy Spirit (not from evil spirits). There even seemed to be some jealousy amongst the Corinthians concerning what they labeled the more desirable gifts within the church. So, Paul began by teaching them that there are many gifts, but each one was given so that others can profit and know God in a greater way (12:4-7). Although there are diversities of gifts such as wisdom, knowledge, faith, healings, miracles, prophecy (speaking truth), discernment, tongues, and interpretation of tongues, Paul reminds them that all these gifts come from the Holy Spirit (12:8-11). Paul then uses the human body as an illustration of the unity which should exist inside the church regarding these spiritual gifts and their usefulness (12:12-14). He writes, “If the foot should say, ‘Because I am not a hand, I am not of the body,’ is it therefore not of the body? And if the ear should say, ‘Because I am not an eye, I am not of the body,’ is it therefore not of the body? If the whole body were an eye, where would be the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where would be the smelling? But now God has set the members, each one of them, in the body just as He pleased. And if they were all one member, where would the body be?” (12:15-19). Every person’s gift in the church is important and needed for there to be unity. Since every part of the body was needed for it to function properly, no person with a certain gift was more valuable than another (12:20-24). When each gifted individual realized this truth, there would be unity and equal care for each other (12:25); in fact, if one part of the body suffers, the rest of it suffers also (12:26). Paul was hoping that the church at Corinth would develop a deep love and respect for each other regardless of the gift they possessed (12:27). Paul also provides a list of potential spiritual gifts given by the Holy Spirit (12:28-28) and challenges them not to be jealous of those who possess gifts that they may desire (12:29-30). Instead of seeking the “best gifts,” they should realize that there is a more excellent way, which Paul will define in 1 Corinthians 13 as love.
Dear God, every individual in the church is valuable and I pray You would help me to treat them with love and respect. Bring unity to Your church so that she may, once again, build Your kingdom.
