The BODY Of CHRIST-VII—1Corinthians 12:12-31
The Body of Christ can suffer under the burden of individual & even gathered lusts that are couched in pride.
For some weeks we’ve looked at God’s design for Unity within the Body of Christ, which is the Church.
All the local-to-global manifestations of the Body of Christ are built upon a God-sourced Unity of ‘individual’ Christians. A successful unity of the Body of Christ is seen particularly thru our cooperative successes.
*Remember that the global Church, along with it’s smaller manifestations is the embodiment of Christ Jesus(Col. 1:24).
The apostle Paul maintained the significance of the Church's being the Body of Christ.
What is exhibited by that entity known as the Body of Christ?
So far in our study of 1Cor. 12:12-31, we have found that ‘The Body Of Christ Exhibits...’
1. An IDENTIFIABLE COMPOSITION(:12)
2. A WILLINGLY EMPOWERED INVITATION(:13)
3. BELONGING(:14-17)
4. A DIVINE PLACEMENT(:18)
5. A REASONABLE UNITY(:19-20)
6. A NECESSITY For DIVERSITY(:21-22)
7. A REASONABLE DIVERSITY(:23-24)
8. A CARING DIVERSITY-Mutual-(:24-26)
9. A COMPOSITION BEYOND INDIVIDUALITY(:27)
10. EDIFICATION By APPOINTMENT(:28(cf-:18))
The Body Of Christ Exhibits...
11—PRACTICAL EXAMPLES For DIVERSITY(:29-30)
Explanation/Illustration:
:29—“Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Are all workers of miracles?”
:30—“Do all have gifts of healings? Do all speak with tongues? Do all interpret?”
Each of these questions is simultaneously a statement of fact.?“mh(not) pantev(all) apostoloi(apostles) mh pantev profhtai(prophets)...”—‘Not all apostles, not all prophets...”
•The Greek translated as “Not”(mh) in both verses—signifies a ‘qualified’ negation—& expects a negative answer. Whereas another Greek word also translated as “NOT” denotes an ‘absolute’ denial(ou, ouk, ouc).
Paul’s point is that “all” of the members(:4-12) cannot possibly be “apostles”, “prophets”, “teachers”, “miracle” effectors, “healers”, speakers in “tongues”, or “interpreters” of tongues.
•This reminds us of Paul’s previous statements in :16-17, :19 & :21...
:16-17—“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?”
:18-19—“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?”
:21—“And the eye cannot say to the hand, “I have no need of you”; nor again the head to the feet, “I have no need of you.””
Again, here in :29-30, Paul is attempting to subdue & remove any presence/tainting of personal pride from the Corinthian Christian’s approach toward spiritual giftedness.
*In keeping with the previous ties(:12-27) of spiritual giftedness to the ‘body’s’ organization, there must be a diversity of giftedness among God’s people, since all cannot be one particular member. This unified diversity accomplishes the common good(:7) for the Church, & secondarily for the world.
•The ‘common good’ of edifying the Church is the Spirit’s purpose in God’s scheme of things & thus in Paul’s argument.
“Are/Not”7X—mh—Particle—1) No, not lest. Strong—a primary particle of qualified negation(whereas ou, ouk, ouc expresses an absolute denial); adverbially--Not, conjunctionally--Lest; also(as an interrogative implying a negative answer[whereas ou expects an affirmative one])--Whether.
“All”7X—pav—Adj.—1) individually—1a) Each, every, any, all, the whole, everyone, all things, everything; 2) collectively—2a) Some of all types. Strong—All, any, every, the whole; apparently a primary word.
“Interpret”—diermhneuw—Verb—1) To unfold the meaning of what is said, explain, expound; 2) To translate into one's native language. Strong—To explain thoroughly, by implication--To translate. Used 6X--Lk. 24:7; Acts 9:36; 1Cor. 12:30; 1Cor. 14:5, 13, 27..?From—dia—Through, With, In, Throughout, During, By, the means of; The ground or reason by which something is or is not done; On account of, Therefore. Strong—Through(in very wide applications, local, causal, or occasional); a primary preposition denoting the channel of an act.—&—ermhneuw—To translate; from a presumed derivative of Ermhv(as the god of language).
Application:
?Does The Body of Christ here & elsewhere, exhibit PRACTICAL EXAMPLES For DIVERSITY?
•It can & should!
?Do you(individually)/we(collectively) faithfully represent the Body of Christ?
The Body Of Christ Exhibits...
12—A ZEAL For EXCELLENCE(:31)
:31—“But earnestly desire the best gifts. And yet I show you a more excellent way.”
“But earnestly desire the best gifts.
“Best/Greater/Better” is a translation of a Greek word meaning ‘more Useful’, ‘more Advantageous’, ‘Stronger’ ‘Better’, or ‘Nobler’.
“Best” highlights those “gifts” of the Spirit which are most beneficial for the Church/church. The Holy Spirit desires to have His Church ‘benefit’ from His empowerment.
“But earnestly desire...”
*It is the goal of the Church & Christian individual to “earnestly seek” to obtain those “gifts” which are “best” or better in comparison to others.” That is, Christians should be zealous of pursuing & possessing those aspects of the Holy Spirit’s presence & operation which “best” declare GOD’s GLORY thru Christ’s Body.
These “best gifts” are of utmost significance to the life of a local church, because...The outcome of such “gifts” is to relate an actual life-changing message from God’s heart, rather than to relate humanly derived ‘divisive superiority’(calling attention to oneself).
*Do you find yourself “earnestly desiring” that which is most beneficial to the church?...OR Do you find yourself “earnestly desiring” that which is most beneficial to yourself?—To gain the attention of others, be noticed by others, be respected by others, etc.?
“Earnestly Desire/Covet Earnestly/Eagerly Desire/Be Emulous Of”—zhlow,-OR--zhleuw—Present Active Imperative 2nd Plural—1) To burn with zeal—1a) To be heated or to boil with envy, hatred, anger—1a1) in a good sense--To be zealous in the pursuit of good, 1b) To desire earnestly, pursue—1b1) To desire one earnestly, to strive after, busy one's self about him, 1b2) To exert one's self for one(that he may not be torn from me), 1b3) To be the object of the zeal of others, to be zealously sought after, 1c) To envy. Strong—To have warmth of feeling for or against. Used 12X.?From—zhlov—properly--Heat, i.e. figuratively--“zeal”(in a favorable sense--Ardor; in an unfavorable one--Jealousy, as of a husband [figuratively, of God], or an enemy--Malice).?•zhlov—From—zew—To be hot(boil, of liquids; or glow, of solids), i.e. figuratively--Be fervid(earnest); a primary verb.
“Best/Greater/Better”—kreittwn—Adj.—1) More useful, more serviceable, more advantageous; 2) More excellent. Strong—comparative of a derivative of kratov[vigor["great"] (literally or figuratively)]; Stronger, i.e. figuratively--Better, i.e. Nobler. Used 18X. Compare with “greater”[meizwn] of 14:5.
“Gifts”(See :29, 31)—carisma—Noun Accusative Plural Neuter—1) A favor with which one receives without any merit of his own; 2) The gift of divine grace; 3) The gift of faith, knowledge, holiness, virtue; 4) The economy of divine grace, by which the pardon of sin & eternal salvation is appointed to sinners in consideration of the merits of Christ laid hold of by faith; 5) Grace or gifts denoting extraordinary powers, distinguishing certain Christians & enabling them to serve the church of Christ, the reception of which is due to the power of divine grace operating on their souls by the Holy Spirit. Strong—A(divine) gratuity, i.e. Deliverance(from danger or passion); specifically--A (spiritual)endowment, i.e. subjectively--Religious qualification, or objectively--Miraculous faculty. Used 17X.?From—carizomai—Verb—1) To do something pleasant or agreeable(to one), to do a favor to, gratify. Strong—To grant as a favor, i.e. gratuitously, in kindness, pardon or rescue. RWP—To give graciously.
“And yet I show you a more excellent way.”
“And yet...”
Despite Paul’s previous arguments for unity in the Body of Christ, the Church—local & universal(:1-31a). And despite what Paul has revealed as God-ordained giftedness & empowerment by the Holy Spirit, Paul adds to this by saying...
“And”—kai—Conjunction—1) And, also, even, indeed, but. Strong—apparently, a primary particle, having a copulative & sometimes also a cumulative force; And, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection(or composition) with other particles or small words.
“Yet”—eti—Adverb—1) Yet, still—1a) Of time--1a1) Of a thing which went on formerly, whereas now a different state of things exists or has begun to exist, 1a2) Of a thing which continues at present—1a2a) Even, now, 1a3) with negatives—1a3a) No longer, no more, 1b) of degree & increase—1b1) Even, yet, 1b2) Besides, more, further. Strong—“Yet,” still(of time or degree).
“...I show you a more excellent way.”
There is an over-archingly better “way” by which God’s people are to approach what is available to them thru the manifestations of the Holy Spirit. This “more excellent way” does not focus on individual giftedness by the Holy Spirit.
*This “more excellent way” is beyond what the Corinthian Christians have considered, & beyond what Paul has argued up to this point!
That “more excellent way” involves or brings together the heart, manner, demeanor, or attitude in which a person approaches & employs/engages their overall service to the Lord God.
•That “more excellent way” ‘supernaturally’ includes & involves the very heart with which a person exercises or employs their particular God-given “gift”(s) or manifestations of the Holy Spirit.
*That heart—manner, demeanor, or attitude— is the manner, demeanor, or attitude of agaph or self-giving LOVE(13:1-13)!
“Show”—deiknuw—Present Active Indicative 1st Sing.—1) To show, expose to the eyes; 2) metaphorically--2a) To give evidence or proof of a thing, 2b) To show by words or teach. Strong—a prolonged form of an obsolete primary of the same meaning; To show(literally or figuratively). Used 31X.
“You”—umin—Personal Pronoun 2nd Dative Plural—1) You. Strong—To(with or by) you; irregular dative case of umeiv[irregular plural of su; you(as subjective of verb)].
“More”—kata—Preposition—1) Down from, through out; 2) According to, toward, along. Strong—a primary particle; prepositionally--Down(in place or time), in varied relations(according to the case [genitive case, dative case or accusative case] with which it is joined).
“Excellent/Surpassing”—uperbolh—Lit=‘Throw beyond’—Noun Fem.—1) A throwing beyond; 2) metaph.—2a) Superiority, excellence, pre-eminence, 2b) Beyond measure, exceedingly, preeminently, 2c) Beyond all measure. Strong—A throwing beyond others, i.e. figuratively--Supereminence; adverbially(with eiv or kata)--Pre-eminently. Used 8X.?English=‘Hyperbole’—“extravagant exaggeration not meant to be taken literally.”
“Way”—odov—Noun Fem.—1) properly—1a) A way—1a1) A traveled way, road, 1b) A travelers way, journey, traveling; 2) metaph.—2a) A course of conduct, 2b) A way(i.e. manner) of thinking, feeling, deciding. Strong—A road; by implication--A progress(the route, act or distance); figuratively--A mode or means; apparently a primary word.
Argumentation/Illustration:
1Cor. 9:24(26-27 below)—“Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it.”...
1Cor. 9:26-27—“Therefore I run thus: not with uncertainty. Thus I fight: not as one who beats the air. But I discipline my body & bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified.”
Mk. 12:30—‘And you shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.’ This is the first commandment.”
Rev. 3:11—Jesus to the faithful Philadelphia church—““Behold, I am coming quickly! Hold fast what you have, that no one may take your crown.”
Php. 2:14-16—“Do all things without complaining & disputing, that you may become blameless & harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked & perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, holding fast the word of life, so that I may rejoice in the day of Christ that I have not run in vain or labored in vain.”
2Cor. 4:7-10—“But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God & not of us. We are hard pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed--always carrying about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body.”
Php. 1:9-11—“And this I pray, that your love[agaph] may abound still more & more in knowledge & all discernment, that you may approve the things that are excellent, that you may be sincere & without offense till the day of Christ, being filled with the fruits of righteousness which are by Jesus Christ, to the glory & praise of God.”
Application:
?Does The Body of Christ here & elsewhere, exhibit A ZEAL For EXCELLENCE?
•It can & should!
?Do you(individually)/we(collectively) faithfully represent the Body of Christ?
CONCLUSION:
Action:
The Body Of Christ Exhibits...
11. PRACTICAL EXAMPLES For DIVERSITY(:29-30)
12. A ZEAL For EXCELLENCE(:31)
1. An IDENTIFIABLE COMPOSITION(:12)
2. A WILLINGLY EMPOWERED INVITATION(:13)
3. BELONGING(:14-17)
4. A DIVINE PLACEMENT(:18)
5. A REASONABLE UNITY(:19-20)
6. A NECESSITY For DIVERSITY(:21-22)
7. A REASONABLE DIVERSITY(:23-24)
8. A CARING DIVERSITY-Mutual-(:24-26)
9. A COMPOSITION BEYOND INDIVIDUALITY(:27)
10. EDIFICATION By APPOINTMENT(:28(cf-:18))
Pt# 11-12 Video only! Presented 08/09/2020am to:
1BCCbelle(Video to YouTube shared to Facebook @ ‘Byron Sherman’ & ’First Baptist Church Carrabelle’)
206 SE Ave. A(206 Storrs Ave.)
Carrabelle, FL 32322
