The Nature Of Community

11-24-17 email blast

One Body with Many Members

(Cp )

12 For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ. 13 For in the one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—Jews or Greeks, slaves or free—and we were all made to drink of one Spirit.

14 Indeed, the body does not consist of one member but of many. 15 If the foot would say, “Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body,” that would not make it any less a part of the body. 16 And if the ear would say, “Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body,” that would not make it any less a part of the body. 17 If the whole body were an eye, where would the hearing be? If the whole body were hearing, where would the sense of smell be? 18 But as it is, God arranged the members in the body, each one of them, as he chose. 19 If all were a single member, where would the body be? 20 As it is, there are many members, yet one body. 21 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.” 22 On the contrary, the members of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, 23 and those members of the body that we think less honorable we clothe with greater honor, and our less respectable members are treated with greater respect; 24 whereas our more respectable members do not need this. But God has so arranged the body, giving the greater honor to the inferior member, 25 that there may be no dissension within the body, but the members may have the same care for one another. 26 If one member suffers, all suffer together with it; if one member is honored, all rejoice together with it.

27 Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it. 28 And God has appointed in the church first apostles, second prophets, third teachers; then deeds of power, then gifts of healing, forms of assistance, forms of leadership, various kinds of tongues. 29 Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles? 30 Do all possess gifts of healing? Do all speak in tongues? Do all interpret? 31 But strive for the greater gifts. And I will show you a still more excellent way.

The Holy Bible: New Revised Standard Version (Nashville: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 1989), .

Commitment, to God’s people

Synopsis

Commitment to God means a commitment to his people. Believers are meant to be nourished and supported by the church, and to work towards its edification.

(Cp Eph 4:1–16)

Commitment to the church

12 For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ. 13 For in the one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—Jews or Greeks, slaves or free—and we were all made to drink of one Spirit.

; ;

14 Indeed, the body does not consist of one member but of many. 15 If the foot would say, “Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body,” that would not make it any less a part of the body. 16 And if the ear would say, “Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body,” that would not make it any less a part of the body. 17 If the whole body were an eye, where would the hearing be? If the whole body were hearing, where would the sense of smell be? 18 But as it is, God arranged the members in the body, each one of them, as he chose. 19 If all were a single member, where would the body be? 20 As it is, there are many members, yet one body. 21 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.” 22 On the contrary, the members of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, 23 and those members of the body that we think less honorable we clothe with greater honor, and our less respectable members are treated with greater respect; 24 whereas our more respectable members do not need this. But God has so arranged the body, giving the greater honor to the inferior member, 25 that there may be no dissension within the body, but the members may have the same care for one another. 26 If one member suffers, all suffer together with it; if one member is honored, all rejoice together with it.

27 Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it. 28 And God has appointed in the church first apostles, second prophets, third teachers; then deeds of power, then gifts of healing, forms of assistance, forms of leadership, various kinds of tongues. 29 Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles? 30 Do all possess gifts of healing? Do all speak in tongues? Do all interpret? 31 But strive for the greater gifts. And I will show you a still more excellent way.

(NRSV) — 42 They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.

(NRSV) — 3 making every effort to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. 4 There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to the one hope of your calling,

(NRSV) — 15 And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in the one body. And be thankful.

Paul uses the picture of the body to describe the interdependence of believers:

The Holy Bible: New Revised Standard Version (Nashville: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 1989), 1 Co 12:12–31.

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(NRSV) — 4 For as in one body we have many members, and not all the members have the same function, 5 so we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually we are members one of another. 6 We have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us: prophecy, in proportion to faith; 7 ministry, in ministering; the teacher, in teaching; 8 the exhorter, in exhortation; the giver, in generosity; the leader, in diligence; the compassionate, in cheerfulness. 9 Let love be genuine; hate what is evil, hold fast to what is good; 10 love one another with mutual affection; outdo one another in showing honor.

(NRSV) — 12 For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ. 13 For in the one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—Jews or Greeks, slaves or free—and we were all made to drink of one Spirit. 14 Indeed, the body does not consist of one member but of many. 15 If the foot would say, “Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body,” that would not make it any less a part of the body. 16 And if the ear would say, “Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body,” that would not make it any less a part of the body. 17 If the whole body were an eye, where would the hearing be? If the whole body were hearing, where would the sense of smell be? 18 But as it is, God arranged the members in the body, each one of them, as he chose. 19 If all were a single member, where would the body be? 20 As it is, there are many members, yet one body. 21 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.” 22 On the contrary, the members of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, 23 and those members of the body that we think less honorable we clothe with greater honor, and our less respectable members are treated with greater respect; 24 whereas our more respectable members do not need this. But God has so arranged the body, giving the greater honor to the inferior member, 25 that there may be no dissension within the body, but the members may have the same care for one another. 26 If one member suffers, all suffer together with it; if one member is honored, all rejoice together with it. 27 Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it.

Commitment to other Christians is an expression of love made known in Christ

; ;

(NRSV) — 34 I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another. 35 By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”

(NRSV) — 13 Bear with one another and, if anyone has a complaint against another, forgive each other; just as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. 14 Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony.

(NRSV) — 22 Now that you have purified your souls by your obedience to the truth so that you have genuine mutual love, love one another deeply from the heart.

See also ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ;

(NRSV) — 12 “This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.

(NRSV) — 17 I am giving you these commands so that you may love one another.

(NRSV) — 10 love one another with mutual affection; outdo one another in showing honor.

(NRSV) — 16 Live in harmony with one another; do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly; do not claim to be wiser than you are.

(NRSV) — 8 Owe no one anything, except to love one another; for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law.

(NRSV) — 13 For you were called to freedom, brothers and sisters; only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for self-indulgence, but through love become slaves to one another.

(NRSV) — 32 and be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ has forgiven you. 1 Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children, 2 and live in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.

(NRSV) — 12 And may the Lord make you increase and abound in love for one another and for all, just as we abound in love for you.

(NRSV) — 9 Now concerning love of the brothers and sisters, you do not need to have anyone write to you, for you yourselves have been taught by God to love one another;

(NRSV) — 3 We must always give thanks to God for you, brothers and sisters, as is right, because your faith is growing abundantly, and the love of everyone of you for one another is increasing.

(NRSV) — 1 Let mutual love continue.

(NRSV) — 17 Honor everyone. Love the family of believers. Fear God. Honor the emperor.

(NRSV) — 11 For this is the message you have heard from the beginning, that we should love one another.

(NRSV) — 23 And this is his commandment, that we should believe in the name of his Son Jesus Christ and love one another, just as he has commanded us.

(NRSV) — 7 Beloved, let us love one another, because love is from God; everyone who loves is born of God and knows God.

(NRSV) — 21 The commandment we have from him is this: those who love God must love their brothers and sisters also.

(NRSV) — 2 By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and obey his commandments.

Such commitment is expressed in mutual responsibility and concern

; ;

(NRSV) — 2 Bear one another’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.

(NRSV) — 24 And let us consider how to provoke one another to love and good deeds, 25 not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day approaching.

(NRSV) — 8 Finally, all of you, have unity of spirit, sympathy, love for one another, a tender heart, and a humble mind.

See also ; ; ; Paul’s concern for unity among believers; ; the responsibility of believers to forgive one another; ; ; ; ; ;

(NRSV) — 13 Let us therefore no longer pass judgment on one another, but resolve instead never to put a stumbling block or hindrance in the way of another.

(NRSV) — 7 Welcome one another, therefore, just as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God.

(NRSV) — 14 I myself feel confident about you, my brothers and sisters, that you yourselves are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge, and able to instruct one another.

(NRSV) — 10 Now I appeal to you, brothers and sisters, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you be in agreement and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and the same purpose.

(NRSV) — 21 Be subject to one another out of reverence for Christ.

(NRSV) — 13 Bear with one another and, if anyone has a complaint against another, forgive each other; just as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive.

(NRSV) — 16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly; teach and admonish one another in all wisdom; and with gratitude in your hearts sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs to God.

(NRSV) — 11 But refuse to put younger widows on the list; for when their sensual desires alienate them from Christ, they want to marry,

(NRSV) — 13 But exhort one another every day, as long as it is called “today,” so that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin.

(NRSV) — 11 Do not speak evil against one another, brothers and sisters. Whoever speaks evil against another or judges another, speaks evil against the law and judges the law; but if you judge the law, you are not a doer of the law but a judge.

(NRSV) — 9 Be hospitable to one another without complaining.

(NRSV) — 5 In the same way, you who are younger must accept the authority of the elders. And all of you must clothe yourselves with humility in your dealings with one another, for “God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.”

For its leaders, commitment to the church may prove a joy and a burden

Paul speaking to the elders of the church at Ephesus;

(NRSV) — 28 Keep watch over yourselves and over all the flock, of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God that he obtained with the blood of his own Son.

(NRSV) — 28 And, besides other things, I am under daily pressure because of my anxiety for all the churches.

See also ; ; ; ; ;

(NRSV) — 24 I am now rejoicing in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I am completing what is lacking in Christ’s afflictions for the sake of his body, that is, the church.

(NRSV) — 8 So deeply do we care for you that we are determined to share with you not only the gospel of God but also our own selves, because you have become very dear to us.

(NRSV) — 12 But we appeal to you, brothers and sisters, to respect those who labor among you, and have charge of you in the Lord and admonish you; 13 esteem them very highly in love because of their work. Be at peace among yourselves.

(NRSV) — 1 The saying is sure: whoever aspires to the office of bishop desires a noble task.

(NRSV) — 17 Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls and will give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with sighing—for that would be harmful to you.

(NRSV) — 1 Now as an elder myself and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, as well as one who shares in the glory to be revealed, I exhort the elders among you 2 to tend the flock of God that is in your charge, exercising the oversight, not under compulsion but willingly, as God would have you do it—not for sordid gain but eagerly. 3 Do not lord it over those in your charge, but be examples to the flock.

CONTEXTUAL INSIGHTS TO 12:1–31

A. Chapters 11–14 form one literary unit dealing with public worship. There were many problems in the Corinthian house churches. Paul addresses many of these issues, which apparently the church had written to him about (cf. 7:1, 25; 8:1; 12:1; 16:1, 12). The issues related to public worship were:

1. how to pray and prophesy

a. man with head uncovered

b. woman with head covered

1. pride and abuse related to spiritual gifts

2. how to implement gifts into worship

a. tongue speakers and interpreters

b. singers

c. prophets

B. There are three tests related to spiritual gifts.

1. chapter 12—do they motivate unity?

2. chapter 13—do they motivate love?

3. chapter 14—do they build the body?

C. There are several lists of spiritual gifts in the NT (cf. ; ; ; and ). The lists are not the same, nor is the order of gifts the same. They are representative samples, not definitive lists. Some of the gifts function in public worship, but others focus outside corporate worship meetings.

The emphasis which Paul places on spiritual giftedness is surprising, but he says little about how one finds or identifies his/her gift. I am reluctant to affirm many of the tests that have been developed in our day. They test only for the gifts listed in the NT. Many of the gifts listed are not clearly defined (the gifts of leadership in ). The most helpful guide I have found in this area is the IVP booklet entitled Affirming the Will of God by Paul Little. The same Christian wisdom that helps us find God’s will also helps us identify our effective gift for ministry.

1. pray specifically

2. ask mature Christians who know you what strengths they see in you

3. look for open doors of opportunity to try different areas

4. follow the desires of your heart

WORD AND PHRASE STUDY

NASB (UPDATED) TEXT: 12:1–3

1 Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I do not want you to be unaware. 2 You know that when you were pagans, you were led astray to the mute idols, however you were led. 3 Therefore I make known to you that no one speaking by the Spirit of God says, “Jesus is accursed”; and no one can say, “Jesus is Lord,” except by the Holy Spirit.

12:1 “Now concerning” This is a recurring phrase in I Corinthians that shows Paul is answering specific questions from the church (cf. 7:1, 25; 8:1; 12:1; 16:1, 12).

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NASB, NKJV

“spiritual gifts”

NRSV (footnote)

“spiritual persons”

TEV

“the gifts from the Holy Spirit”

NJB

“gifts of the Spirit”

The Greek term is a GENITIVE PLURAL of pneuma. This can refer to persons, gifts, or spiritualities (spiritual matters, cf. 14:1).

SPECIAL TOPIC: PNEUMA

I. The Greek terms

A. pneō—to blow

B. pnoē—wind, breath

C. pneuma—spirit, wind

D. pneumatikos—pertaining to the spirit

E. pneumatikōs—spiritually

II. Greek philosophical background (pneuma)

A. Aristotle used the term as the life force that develops from birth until maturity (self-discipline).

B. The Stoics used the term as synonymous to psuchē, (soul) even nous (mind) in the sense of the five physical senses and the human intellect

C. Greek thought—the term became equivalent to divine action (divination, magic, occult, prophecy, etc.)

III. Old Testament (ruah)

A. The actions of the monotheistic God (Spirit, used about 90 times in the OT)

1. positive—

2. negative—, ; ;

B. The God-given life force in humanity (God’s breath, cf. )

C. The Septuagint translates ruah with pneuma (used about 100 times in the LXX)

D. In later rabbinical writings, apocalyptic writing and the Dead Sea Scrolls, influenced by Zoroastrianism, pneuma is used of angels and demons

IV. New Testament (pneuma)

A. God’s special presence, power, and equipping

B. The Spirit is connected to God’s activity in the church

1. prophecy

2. miracles

3. boldness to proclaim the gospel

4. wisdom (the gospel)

5. joy

6. bring the new age

7. conversion (wooing and indwelling)

8. Christlikeness

9. special gifts of ministry

10. prayer for believers

The Spirit awakens mankind’s desire for fellowship with God, for which they were created. This fellowship is possible because of the person and work of Jesus, God’s Messiah. The new spiritual awakening leads to Christlike living, serving, and trusting.

C. Best understood as a spiritual continuum with the Holy Spirit on one end and mankind as a physical creature of this planet, but also a spiritual creature in God’s image, at the other end.

D. Paul is the NT author who develops a theology of the Spirit/spirit.

1. Paul uses Spirit to contrast flesh (sin nature)

2. Paul uses spirit to contrast the physical

3. Paul uses Spirit/spirit to contrast human thinking, knowing, and being

E. Some examples from I Corinthians

1. the Holy Spirit, 12:3

2. the power and wisdom of God conveyed through the Holy Spirit, 2:4–5

3. God’s actions in the believer

a. new mind-set, 2:12; 14:14, 32

b. new temple, 3:16; 6:19–20

c. new life (morality), 6:9–11

d. new life symbolized in baptism, 12:13

e. one with God (conversion), 6:17

f. God’s wisdom, not the world’s wisdom, 2:12–15; 14:14, 32, 37

g. spiritual giftedness of every believer for ministry, chapters 12 and 14

4. the spiritual in contrast to the physical, 9:11; 10:3; 15:44

5. spiritual realm in contrast to physical realm, 2:11; 5:5; 7:34; 15:45; 16:18

6. a way of referring to a human’s spiritual/inner life as distinct from one’s physical body, 7:34

F. Humans live in two realms (the physical and the spiritual). Mankind fell from intimacy with God (). Through Christ’s life, teachings, death, resurrection, and promised return, the Spirit woos fallen humans to exercise faith in the gospel, at which point they are restored to fellowship with God. The Spirit is that personal part of the Trinity which characterizes the New Age of righteousness. The Spirit is God the Father’s agent and the Son’s Advocate in this “age.” A problem exists because the new age has occurred in time, while the old age of sinful rebellion still exists. The Spirit transforms the old into the new, even while they both exist.

© “brethren” Paul often uses “brethren” to signal a change of subjects. This first verse has three of Paul’s contextual markers of a subject change: (1) “now concerning”; (2) “brethren”; and (3) “I do not want you to be unaware.” Chapters 11–14 deal with different aspects of gathered worship.

The messages that Paul sent to Corinth were so difficult that he often used “brethren” to remind them of their unity in God’s family (cf. 1:10, 11, 26; 2:1; 3:1; 4:6; 6:5, 8; 7:24, 29; 5:12; 9:5; 10:1; 11:2, 33; 12:1; 14:6, 20, 26, 39; 15:1, 6, 50, 58; 16:11, 12, 15, 20; ; , ; , ; ; ).

12:2 “you were pagans” This is an IMPERFECT INDICATIVE. These believers were once pagans, but now they must shed this mind-set and related activity. The church at Corinth was deeply influenced by (1) pagan worship practices and (2) Roman culture. Both were coloring the gospel in inappropriate ways.

©

NASB

“you were led astray”

NKJV

“carried away … however you were led”

NRSV

“you were enticed and led astray”

TEV

“you were led astray in many ways”

NJB

“you were irresistibly drawn”

This phrase has two related verbals from the root “to lead.” The first is a PERIPHRASTIC IMPERFECTIVE PASSIVE INDICATIVE and the second is a PRESENT PASSIVE PARTICIPLE, “you were and continue to be led.”

The second term is also intensified by the preposition apo, which implies “to lead as a prisoner” (cf. ; ). These former pagans had been continuously controlled by the demonic (cf. 10:20) before their conversion.

12:3 “no one speaking by the Spirit of God” This is a Hebrew idiom for inspiration (cf. ; ). This reminds believers that not everyone who claims to speak for God actually does so. Every believer must evaluate those who claim to speak God’s message (cf. 12:10; ).

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NASB

“Jesus is accursed”

NKJV

“calls Jesus accursed”

NRSV

“Let Jesus be accursed”

TEV, NJB

“a curse on Jesus”

This is a shocking statement. Why would anyone who claims to speak for God say this? The term (anathema) itself had an OT background (Hebrew, herem). It related to the concept of Holy War, where a city was devoted to God and, therefore, it became holy. This meant that everything in it that breathed, man or animal, had to die (cf. ; ).

The theories of how this term was used in Corinth are (1) that it has a Jewish setting relating to the synagogue oaths (cf. . Later, rabbinical curse formulas were used to remove Christians from the synagogue). To remain a member one had to reject or curse Jesus of Nazareth; (2) that it has a Roman setting relating to Emperor worship where only Caesar could be called “Lord”; (3) that it has a pagan worship setting where the curses were called on people by the use of a god’s name. This could then be translated, “May Jesus curse ______” (cf. 16:22); or (4) that someone related the phrase to the theological concept of Jesus bearing the OT curse for us (cf. ; ).

Recent studies from Corinth (cf. footnote #1 on p. 164 of Bruce Winter’s After Paul Left Corinth) document the curse tablets found on the ancient acropolis at Corinth. Biblical scholars have assumed that a linking verb “is” should be provided in the phrase, “Jesus is accursed,” but this archaeological evidence clearly shows that these first century Roman period curses from Corinth lack the verb (as do some of the curses in the LXX of ), as does v. 3. There is further archaeological evidence that Christians in first century Roman Corinth used curse formulas in burial curses (Bysantine period) found on Christian graves (J. H. Kent, The Inscriptions, 1926–50. Princeton: American School of Classical Studies, 1966, vol. 8:3, no. 644).

Some segments of the church were reverting to pagan curses in Jesus’ name against other members of the church. Not only is the method a problem, but also the hateful motive. This is another example of the tension within this church. Paul wants them to build up the church, edify the church. They want to curse part of the church!

© “except by the Holy Spirit” The Holy Spirit’s task is to convict the world of sin and draw people to Christ (cf. ). No fallen humans can turn to God or Christ unaided (cf. , ). This is the mystery of a sovereign God who loves all humanity made in His image yet His covenant mandate is that they must respond (and continue to respond) in repentance, faith, obedience, service, and perseverance!

Robert James Utley, Paul’s Letters to a Troubled Church: I and II Corinthians, vol. Volume 6, Study Guide Commentary Series (Marshall, TX: Bible Lessons International, 2002), 138–141.

The Nature Of Community

The Nature of community