The Body of Christ
—1Corinthians 12
Our chapter for study (1Corinthians 12), was written by Paul at two levels. At one level he discussed spiritual gifts, but at a deeper level he described six hallmarks of the body of Christ. He wasn't referring to the body that was crucified, raised from death, and taken up to glory. Rather he meant the result of that crucifixion, resurrection, and ascension —namely, the church of Christ. So we will focus on six hallmarks of that body, the people who came when Jesus called them out of worldliness.
1 AUTHENTICITY
1Cor12, Verses 1-3
Paul wanted the church at Corinth to know the facts about spiritual gifts. The main point was that these gifts caused speakers in the church to speak by the Spirit of God, and thus to speak the truth. The dumb idols they formerly worshipped could not impart any truth.
When Paul referred to the church members as former "Gentiles", he was not excluding the Jewish members, many of whom had been Gentiles at heart. They called Jesus anathema, but when they were converted to Christ, they called him Lord. In making this authentic confession, they were led by the Holy Spirit.
The Spirit leads us today through the Scriptures which impart to us the teaching that the gifts imparted to Paul and others (cf Ephesians 3:4). John taught a very similar principle (1John 4:2–3). Paul wrote of what the Spirit will not say, whereas John wrote of what the Spirit affirms.
2 VARIETY
1Cor12, Verses 4-11
Paul wrote, "4 There are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. 5 There are differences of ministries, but the same Lord. 6 And there are diversities of activities, but it is the same God who works all in all. 7 But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all... 11 But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually as He wills." (NKJV)
Paul explained in detail that there were a variety of gifts and ministries, but the same Holy Spirit, the same Lord, the same God, was behind them all, giving them individually to members of the church. So whilst there was such diversity, there was also a powerful unity because one and the same Spirit was imparting each gift. In the diversity there was no confusion, because each gift complemented the others.
Note:— Denominations. Not all diversity is good. The division of the body (the church) into a variety of denominations is not "unity in diversity" as is often claimed. We saw in chapter 1, and chapter 11, that denominational factions are against the one body of Christ.
3 UNITY
1Cor12, Verses 12-14
The Corinthian Christians were, according to Paul, all members of the one body, baptized into one body, "made to drink into one Spirit". Paul regarded them as equals to himself and to each other. It did not matter whether they were Jews or Gentiles, slave or free, this or that. They were (or should have been) united as one.
4 RESPONSIBILITY
1Cor12, Verses 15-19
Paul used the human body as a metaphor for the church or body of Christ. The Corinthians took it for granted that in a human body there were feet, hands, eyes, noses, and many other members. All these different members were necessary to the proper working of the body. Each member had a responsibility to the other members. If one member was not fulfilling its function, the other members suffered.
5 SOLIDARITY
1Cor12, Verses 20-26
Not only did every member have a responsibility to the other members, but conversely, every member had need of the others. The members of the Corinthian church knew that the human body could function with some of its members missing, but a whole body, with all its members in place, functioned far better.
Paul said, "25 There should be no schism in the body, but that the members should have the same care for one another. 26 And if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; or if one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it." (NKJV)
That was the solidarity required of the members of the body of Christ (his church).
6 QUALITY
1Cor12, Verses 27-31
Paul listed several gifts and ministries appointed by God. First on the list were apostles. Last on the list was speaking in tongues.
Paul made it clear that there were many gifts. Then he said, "31 But earnestly desire the best gifts. And yet I show you a more excellent way."
So some gifts were more beneficial, of better qualities for serving the body of Christ. Even so, there was a more excellent way than these. That way was love, which was Paul’s next topic (chapter 13).