1Cor. 11:1 Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ.
The Greek for the word followers defines it as meaning to imitate or mimic. Paul is saying that he is an imitator or follower of Christ, and the Corinthian believers should imitate or follow him in the same way that he does Christ. You would think that the Holy Spirit would have Paul tell us to follow Christ. In reality, Paul was the only one among them that had had personal interaction with the LORD Jesus. Since they could relate to him on a personal level, it made more sense to direct the body of believers to imitate Paul. What a somber responsibility!
In truth, every believer should be able to make that same statement. Paul didn’t hesitate; he was confident that he was walking in submission and obedience to the LORD.
What does it mean to follow Christ? A few things immediately come to mind.
To love others unconditionally.
To put others before self.
To live with integrity.
To know the scripture.
To live in submission and obedience to the Father.
Already the plate is full to overflowing. We have no legitimate excuses. The Spirit tells us through Paul’s letter to the Philippians:
Philippians 4:13 “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.”
And to Timothy:
2Timothy 3:16-17 “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.”
1Cor. 11:2 Now I praise you, brethren, that ye remember me in all things, and keep the ordinances, as I delivered them to you.
Paul is congratulating the Corinthians for the way they have tried to live according to the way he had taught them. This doesn’t seem to ring true when considering the previous content of this letter—for example:
1Corinthians 3:3 “For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men?”
1Corinthians 5:1-2 “It is reported commonly that there is fornication among you, and such fornication as is not so much as named among the Gentiles, that one should have his father’s wife. And ye are puffed up, and have not rather mourned, that he that hath done this deed might be taken away from among you.”
1Corinthians 6:8 “Nay, ye do wrong, and defraud, and that your brethren.”
I decided to rethink this section and started by looking at the word “ordinances.” It seems to be referencing rules for the church assembly. So maybe Paul is saying that though they were having problems regarding living moral lives, they were faithful to follow the instructions Paul had given them regarding orderly assembly to worship. The Corinthians evidently needed further clarification regarding head coverings for men and women and the proper practice of “The LORD’s Supper.”
1Cor. 11:3 But I would have you know, that the head of every man is Christ; and the head of the woman is the man; and the head of Christ is God.
This verse establishes God’s sovereignly chosen delegation of authority: God over Christ over man over woman
The hardest part of this chain to understand is the position of Christ under God since they are one and the same; that is totally beyond my understanding. On the other hand Christ is the Son of God, and the relationship of Son is always to be submissive to the Father.
I am reminded that man and woman were created equal—complements to one another. They were each obviously created with differences that the other would complement to make the whole in a relationship. The woman gave up her original position by allowing herself to be deceived by the serpent and encouraging her partner to join her in disobedience. Part of the curse incurred by that act was that the woman was placed under the rule of her husband.
Genesis 3:16 “Unto the woman he said, I will greatly multiply thy sorrow and thy conception; in sorrow thou shalt bring forth children; and thy desire shall be to thy husband, and he shall rule over thee.”
Paul is establishing this truth to lay the foundation for the following instruction. The focus is on delegated authority—not that man is better than woman or the woman less important than man in the eyes of God. That truth will come out more clearly in the following verses.
1Cor. 11:4 Every man praying or prophesying, having his head covered, dishonoureth his head.
1Cor. 11:5 But every woman that prayeth or prophesieth with her head uncovered dishonoureth her head: for that is even all one as if she were shaven.
Paul is evidently addressing a question that the Corinthian believers had regarding the appropriate guidelines for prayer and prophesying in the church assembly. (Note that women are not forbidden from praying and prophesying in the assembly.) In keeping with the context of previous content, Paul is hammering home the point of self-denial in consideration for the spiritual well being of others. I could find no verses regarding head coverings or veils for women except in reference to their being put on or taken off, for example:
Numbers 5:18 “And the priest shall set the woman before the LORD, and uncover the woman’s head….”
Genesis 24:64-65 “And Rebekah lifted up her eyes, and when she saw Isaac, she lighted off the camel. For she had said unto the servant, What man is this that walketh in the field to meet us? And the servant had said, It is my master: therefore she took a vail, and covered herself.”
These verses indicated that there were times that women covered their head and even their faces and times that they did not. Nowhere could I find a directive given by God concerning this custom.
A light bulb went off in my head as I read this section again. In verse 5 the first use of “head” referenced her physical being, the second referenced her husband (in context with v3). The same Greek word for “head” is used in verses 3-5; it is the context that provides the understanding.
My instinct upon reading this passage was that it had to do with cultural issues. In doing some research on the internet, I found an article by Sapere Aude at www.users.qwest.net/~rogrdl123/headcover.htm that he/she prepared after doing some research on this passage. Some pertinent points made in that paper are quoted below:
Customs will change but the universal truths will remain. Behind the question of culture is the question of freedom. Customs have a way of limiting my freedoms. As a freethinking, conscientious person, free in Christ, I decide whether to keep the custom or abandon it.
In society, what is customary is often associated with what is righteous. When we speak about righteousness, we speak about what ought to be done.
Since social customs are not on the same moral plane as murder, theft and adultery, we are free to abandon certain social customs as we gain enlightenment. However, as we encounter others who do not share our enlightenment, we must be careful to inflict no harm to their faith – give no offense. If in their eyes our behavior sends the message that we take a cavalier attitude toward holiness and purity, then we should voluntarily limit our freedom for their sake.
It was customary for a man to remove his hat in public when he prayed. "Paul is writing here to the Corinthian Christians who, living in Greece, customarily complied with Greek traditions: men had their heads uncovered and the women covered theirs; which, however, was contrary to the Jewish tradition.”
Since it was customary for Greek men to uncover their head, this may explain why Paul said, "Every man who has something on his head while praying or prophesying disgraces his head." According to Jewish custom, this would not be true; but according to Greek custom, it was. The issue remains the same for the women. If women are going to have equal status and access in the Christian church, should they uncover their head like the men or keep their head coverings on?
As I see it, Paul decided that God would understand if the woman left her head covering on to pray. To take her head covering off was a disgraceful thing to do in the eyes of her culture. Therefore, it is better to leave the head covering on and avoid the mistaken idea that Christianity promotes unholy behavior.
Also, It is important to keep in mind that Paul is asking women to limit their freedom, not to punish them, but to make it possible for them to be included in public worship. His intent is to bring unity to the church and expand public worship to include women. Just like he had to help the Jews and Gentiles get together, he had to help men and women get together.
I do not know anything about the person that authored this paper, but he/she prepared a credible explanation from what appeared to be some pretty good research. This is a passage that has particularly bothered me in time past, and this explanation seems to make the best sense of any I’ve heard or read to this point. What do you think?
1Cor. 11:6 For if the woman be not covered, let her also be shorn: but if it be a shame for a woman to be shorn or shaven, let her be covered.
I actually think the wording of the NLT helps give enlightenment on this verse: “Yes, if she refuses to wear a head covering, she should cut off all her hair. And since it is shameful for a woman to have her hair cut or her head shaved, then she should wear a covering.”
I think these verses go on to strengthen the argument for a cultural consideration of the question.
1Cor. 11:7 For a man indeed ought not to cover his head, forasmuch as he is the image and glory of God: but the woman is the glory of the man.
1Cor. 11:8 For the man is not of the woman; but the woman of the man.
I think the main point of these verses is again emphasizing the hierarchy of God-established authority—God, man, woman. I think it is interesting to note that man is identified as the “image and glory” of God, while the woman is identified as the “glory” of the man. Verse 8 can be confusing unless understood in light of creation. Obviously, women are the vessels of birth for both men and women. At creation, however, the man was created first from the dust of the ground in the image of God. Woman was fashioned after the fact using the rib of a man.
Genesis 2:21-23 “And the LORD God caused a deep sleep to fall upon Adam, and he slept: and he took one of his ribs, and closed up the flesh instead thereof; And the rib, which the LORD God had taken from man, made he a woman, and brought her unto the man. And Adam said, This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh: she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man.”
In looking at the Greek for “glory” I noticed that the root word included the thought of pleasure. That made sense to me in that scripture tells us that we were created for God’s pleasure. I think the specific pleasure has reference to fellowship or friendship. Man was created for God’s pleasure and woman was created for man’s pleasure and in turn God’s pleasure.
Psalm 147:11 “The LORD taketh pleasure in them that fear him, in those that hope in his mercy.”
Psalm 149:4 "For the LORD taketh pleasure in his people: he will beautify the meek with salvation.”
Revelation 4:11 “Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.”
Isaiah 43:7 “Even every one that is called by my name: for I have created him for my glory, I have formed him; yea, I have made him.”
1Cor. 11:9 Neither was the man created for the woman; but the woman for the man.
Emphasis in this verse is on the fact that the woman was created “for” the man. The Genesis record is clear that woman was created to be the “help meet” for man.
Genesis 2:18 “And the LORD God said, It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an help meet for him.”
Courson: “Dear married sister, seeing yourself not as your husband’s ‘compete-r,’ but as his ‘completer,’ is where you will find your greatest fulfillment.”
1Cor. 11:10 For this cause ought the woman to have power on her head because of the angels.
This is an interesting verse. We know that the angels are a higher level of creation than man, yet they were created as God’s servants whom He assigned to be ministering spirits to the “heirs of salvation.”
Hebrews 2:9 “But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man.”
Hebrews1:14 “Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation?”
The angels and evil powers and principalities are a real part of this world. Some angels are even manifest among us.
Hebrews 13:2 “Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.”
Our testimony is important to the angels. They are ever at work doing God’s bidding, guarding His honor and giving Him praise.
Revelation 5:11-12 “And I beheld, and I heard the voice of many angels round about the throne and the beasts and the elders: and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands; Saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing.”
Revelation 7:11 “And all the angels stood round about the throne, and about the elders and the four beasts, and fell before the throne on their faces, and worshipped God, Saying, Amen: Blessing, and glory, and wisdom, and thanksgiving, and honour, and power, and might, be unto our God for ever and ever. Amen.”
They care whether or not we are glorifying and honoring God with our actions.
The question becomes—What is the covering of “power” on the woman’s head? The Greek makes reference to “delegated influence” for one thing. Maybe this is saying that her covering is a sign of her acceptance of her delegated position in submission to the LORD. Such submission declared both publicly before men and angels (both good and fallen) her desire to honor the LORD.
A sad but true observation from concerning the culture of our day: “Citizens do not have the same respect for government’s authority; students do not have the same respect for the teacher’s authority; women do not have the same respect for men’s authority; children do not have the same respect for parent’s authority; employees do not have the same respect for their employer’s authority; people do not have the same respect for the police’s authority; and Christians no longer have the same respect for church authority.”
1Cor. 11:11 Nevertheless neither is the man without the woman, neither the woman without the man, in the Lord.
1Cor. 11:12 For as the woman is of the man, even so is the man also by the woman; but all things of God.
It seems that verse 11 is saying that men and women as individuals are on equal footing “in the Lord.” Verse 12 seems to be saying that although the woman was made from man, man is given birth through the woman. The important truth is that we are all creations of God.
1Cor. 11:13 Judge in yourselves: is it comely that a woman pray unto God uncovered?
1Cor. 11:14 Doth not even nature itself teach you, that, if a man have long hair, it is a shame unto him?
1Cor. 11:15 But if a woman have long hair, it is a glory to her: for her hair is given her for a covering.
These verses seem to be a unit and make a connection with the covering in reference to the length of men and women’s hair. God created the sexes to be distinct. Men and women have different physical characteristics. These verses indicate that the long hair of the woman had more than an aesthetic purpose. It is an indication of her acceptance of her God-given position as subordinate to man. In the eyes of God, men and angels this only adds to her honor and position. Our culture has warped our thinking to consider that submission is equivalent to weakness. God looks at the woman’s submission as a mark of honor and worship toward Him.
Guzik: “From as long as we have known, women have generally worn their hair longer than men have. In some cultures and at some times, men have worn their hair longer than other times, but no matter how long men have worn their hair women in general have always worn their hair longer.”
Seeing that these verses seemed to simplify the discussion more pointedly to long and short hair, I decided to do some further research and found that Burton Coffman has another reasonable explanation following that line of thinking regarding this section in Corinthians in his commentary. The culture still comes into play, but more to the point of avoiding association with idol worship. Evidently, the prostitutes at the pagan temples wore cropped hair. In that culture, it was unusual for a woman to have short hair unless it was associated with idolatrous worship.
“The shaving of any woman's head was considered either a sign of deep mourning, or a fitting punishment for adultery; and the overwhelming inference here is not that the Corinthian women had thrown off the oriental style ‘veil’ that obscured almost all of the female person, there being no evidence at all that first-century Christian women ever wore such a thing, but that they had adopted the chic hair-styles of the women of Aphrodite. The sin was not in cutting off hair, but in cutting it off in such a manner as to obscure the sexes or to imitate the shameless prostitutes of the pagan temples.”
Regarding verse 15 he goes on to say: “It is a glory to her … This would have been the ideal place for Paul to have said that a mantle thrown over a woman's head and shoulders is a glory to her, if he ever had such a thing in mind. On the contrary, it comes out here, as it does in every verse in the whole passage, his subject was “hair"!”
[end quote from Coffman]
I think the key point in the whole section is regarding acceptance of God’s established positions of authority and the importance of being more concerned about how your actions show your submission to that authority.
1Cor. 11:16 But if any man seem to be contentious, we have no such custom, neither the churches of God.
I’ve read through more commentaries than I care to enumerate, and this verse is still unclear. It seems that Paul is saying that this problem with head coverings was unique to the church at Corinth and possibly some other locations where temple prostitutes were a dominant part of the culture and/or where the differentiation of the sexes was becoming more blurred. I really don’t know.
I am convinced, however, that submission to God-ordained authority and the guarding of His honor in the life of the believer are the key issues in this section. Obviously, our culture poses its own problems for believers today. The points of contention may differ, but the principle that applies to how we deal with those points are the same. We are to sacrifice our freedom so as to not to offend weaker believers or give the wrong testimony to unbelievers about our God. We should be far more concerned about guarding the honor of God when we claim Him as LORD than we are about the small sacrifices that might be required on our part in guarding His honor.
1Cor. 11:17 Now in this that I declare unto you I praise you not, that ye come together not for the better, but for the worse.
1Cor. 11:18 For first of all, when ye come together in the church, I hear that there be divisions among you; and I partly believe it.
Paul seems to change subjects at this point—the subject being “coming together” with specific intent. As I continued to read, it became clear that this is making reference to the LORD's Supper. It would seem that the church at Corinth had allowed the LORD’s Supper to degenerate into a social event without the proper spiritual emphasis. It wasn’t the time of spiritual unity and worship that it was meant to be.
I liked Darby’s transition for verse 18: “For first, when ye come together in assembly, I hear there exist divisions among you, and I partly give credit [to it].”
1Cor. 11:19 For there must be also heresies among you, that they which are approved may be made manifest among you.
“heresies” = a choice, disunion, sect
Most all of the translations seem to agree with Young’s understanding of this verse: “For it behoveth sects also to be among you, that those approved may become manifest among you….”
Heresy identifies truth by contrast.
In other words, Paul recognizes that for the truth to be upheld in the church, you have to be able to identify the points of deviation from the truth and deal with them. And this church seemed to have many areas that needed correction. That process also identifies those that are teaching heresy and causing division.
1Cor. 11:20 When ye come together therefore into one place, this is not to eat the Lord’s supper.
1Cor. 11:21 For in eating every one taketh before other his own supper: and one is hungry, and another is drunken.
It would seem that when the Corinthian believers gathered for church, they would bring their dinner with them. Instead of sharing everything (what we would call a pot-luck dinner), each person brought his own food. Some had too much and others had too little. Some even drank to excess. They were obviously not focused on spiritual preparation for partaking of the LORD’s supper. Nor does it seem that they made a distinction between “the bread and the cup of remembrance” from the rest of the meal.
1Cor. 11:22 What? have ye not houses to eat and to drink in? or despise ye the church of God, and shame them that have not? What shall I say to you? shall I praise you in this? I praise you not.
Paul is basically saying, “Your homes are the place to enjoy regular meals.” Gatherings of the believers for worship were to be times of spiritual focus, growth and renewal. Paul is expressing his disapproval of their lack of discernment and concern for one another. The body of believers called the “church” is supposed to build each other up and promote unity; it should not be a place of class distinction or a place where people are belittled and made to feel that they don’t belong.
1Cor. 11:23 For I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, That the Lord Jesus the same night in which he was betrayed took bread:
1Cor. 11:24 And when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me.
Paul is reminding this body of believers, that he had taught them specifically according to the LORD’s personal instruction. It’s interesting to me that Paul is the one apostle who was taught after the fact—from a perspective of being able to understand based on the perspective of past prophecy and its fulfillment in Jesus as the Messiah. The other disciples didn’t really get many of the things that Jesus taught them until after the fact. Paul was privileged to get one-on-one instruction from the LORD Himself, and I think that was important to equip him for the tremendous task God had for him in spreading the gospel and the truth of God’s word to the Gentiles. Not only that, I believe he was used mightily in helping the other apostles come to understanding regarding some of the “hard to understand” truths of God.
2Peter 3:15-16 “And account that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him hath written unto you; As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction.”
We are privileged to enjoy the same instruction, albeit through the ministry of the Holy Spirit, with the same perspective. We are yet continuing to see the truth of God’s prophetic word unfold before us. How can we not have a strong faith! I’m sorry—I digressed.
Paul was taught that the LORD instituted this time of remembrance on the very night that He was betrayed. First, the LORD gave thanks to His Father for His provision. We generally interpret that to be thanks for the food. In this instance, I believe the LORD was giving thanks for God’s provision for man (including His many earthly friends) through His own coming sacrifice.
After giving thanks, the LORD broke the bread and instructed His disciples to eat it. He explained that it represented His body that would be broken for them. The eating of this bread was to be an act of remembrance regarding the sacrifice He was going to make for them.
1Cor. 11:25 After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me.
After distributing the bread, the LORD then took the cup and again instructed His disciples to drink its contents in remembrance of His sacrifice. Through that sacrifice, the shedding of His blood, He was establishing a “new testament” or a “new covenant” to replace the old covenant of the law as the basis of fellowship between God and man. This “new covenant” was spoken of by the prophet Jeremiah.
Jeremiah 31:31-33 “Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel, and with the house of Judah: Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day that I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt; which my covenant they brake, although I was an husband unto them, saith the LORD: But this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel; After those days, saith the LORD, I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be my people.”
Yes, the covenant is directed to Israel, but Paul makes clear in his letter to the Romans that we are included in that new covenant. People of faith, both Jew and Gentile, are branches of the same tree.
Romans 11:2, 5-6 “God hath not cast away his people which he foreknew….Even so then at this present time also there is a remnant according to the election of grace. And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace….”
Romans 11:11 “I say then, Have they stumbled that they should fall? God forbid: but rather through their fall salvation is come unto the Gentiles, for to provoke them to jealousy.”
Romans 11:19-20 “Thou wilt say then, The branches were broken off, that I might be graffed in. Well; because of unbelief they were broken off, and thou standest by faith….”
Romans 11:24-25 “For if thou wert cut out of the olive tree which is wild by nature, and wert graffed contrary to nature into a good olive tree: how much more shall these, which be the natural branches, be graffed into their own olive tree? For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in.
We are privileged to be part of that branch of Gentile believers rooted in Christ Jesus. The new covenant applies just as surely to us as it does to Israel. Our position in Christ is a gift of His grace. We have the precious seal of the Holy Spirit to guard our hearts and secure our faith.
It is important to note that the cup represented the “new testament” being established by His shed blood. He was standing before them, and it is obvious that He was not declaring the cup to be His actual blood or the bread to be His actual body.
1Cor. 11:26 For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord’s death till he come.
In this verse, it is clear that partaking of the LORD’s Supper is to be a part of our worship on a regular basis. It’s an opportunity to express our gratitude to the Savior and our confidence in His return to fulfill every detail of God’s plan.
1Cor. 11:27 Wherefore whosoever shall eat this bread, and drink this cup of the Lord, unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord.
“unworthily” = irreverently
This verse is a bit confusing. We are all guilty regarding the death of Jesus on the cross. The Complete Jewish Bible seemed to make a clearer statement: “Therefore, whoever eats the Lord’s bread or drinks the Lord’s cup in an unworthy manner will be guilty of desecrating the body and blood of the Lord!”
Webster defines desecration as follows: “To divest of a sacred character or office; to divert from a sacred purpose; to violate the sanctity of; to profane; to put to an unworthy use….”
In other words, we are to have an attitude in our heart of thankfulness and awe of the wonderful gift God gave us through the willing sacrifice of His Son when we participate in the LORD’s Supper. There’s just no way we can understand such a sacrifice or such love. All we can do is humbly thank Him and try to honor Him through submission and obedience. If we are truly partaking in remembrance of His death on our behalf, that will be our heart attitude. If it is just another “routine” of assembling together, we are partaking unworthily.
1Cor. 11:28 But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup.
“examine” = to test (literally or figuratively); by implication, to approve:—allow, discern….
In other words, Paul is saying that before participating at the LORD’s table we are to test ourselves, to discern our intent and attitude in participation and to approve that we are reverencing the LORD through our participation.
1Cor. 11:29 For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord’s body.
1Cor. 11:30 For this cause many are weak and sickly among you, and many sleep.
Paul is saying that if we don’t take the LORD’s Supper with the right heart attitude and preparation, we are basically asking for God’s judgment. Sometimes that judgment comes in the form of physical weakness and/or sickness and even death. I think the word that stood out to me was the word “many.” When we claim God as LORD and then choose to act in ways that dishonor Him, He doesn’t take it lightly. I wonder how many of us have ever stopped to consider whether our physical problems could be a result of our dishonoring God’s name in some way.
These verses remind me of the commandment regarding taking His name in vain.
Exodus 20:7 “Thou shalt not take the name of the LORD thy God in vain; for the LORD will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain.”
It also reminds me of recent studies in Isaiah and Ezekiel in which God declares the importance of protecting His honor among unbelieving peoples through those that claim His name.
Isaiah 48:10-11 “Behold, I have refined thee, but not with silver; I have chosen thee in the furnace of affliction. For mine own sake, even for mine own sake, will I do it: for how should my name be polluted? and I will not give my glory unto another.”
Ezekiel 36:20-23 And when they entered unto the heathen, whither they went, they profaned my holy name, when they said to them, These are the people of the LORD, and are gone forth out of his land. But I had pity for mine holy name, which the house of Israel had profaned among the heathen, whither they went. Therefore say unto the house of Israel, Thus saith the Lord GOD; I do not this for your sakes, O house of Israel, but for mine holy name’s sake, which ye have profaned among the heathen, whither ye went. And I will sanctify my great name, which was profaned among the heathen, which ye have profaned in the midst of them; and the heathen shall know that I am the LORD, saith the Lord GOD, when I shall be sanctified in you before their eyes.
Ezekiel 39:6-7 “And I will send a fire on Magog, and among them that dwell carelessly in the isles: and they shall know that I am the LORD. So will I make my holy name known in the midst of my people Israel; and I will not let them pollute my holy name any more: and the heathen shall know that I am the LORD, the Holy One in Israel.
These passages all speak of judgment upon Israel because of their profaning of God’s name. The glorious promise, however, includes the truth that God will intervene for His people for the sake of His name. Judgment will come to an end. Again, the principles by which God dealt with Israel apply to the church as well.
1Cor. 11:31 For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged.
1Cor. 11:32 But when we are judged, we are chastened of the Lord, that
we should not be condemned with the world.
Verse 31 ties directly to verse 28. When I looked at the Greek for “judge,” it included “withdraw from, hesitate, discern.” It seemed to emphasize to me that it would be better not to participate in the LORD’s Supper than to participate unworthily. The Greek for “judged” is a different word that references “punishment.” We are much better off to be careful about our actions than to put ourselves in a position to be punished or chastened by the LORD.
If, however, we place ourselves in that unfortunate position, God is faithful. Scripture is clear that when necessary, chastening is sure for the child of God.
Hebrews 12:5-6 “And ye have forgotten the exhortation which speaketh unto you as unto children, My son, despise not thou the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of him: For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth. “
God’s chastening in the life of the believer is for our good. It’s part of the process of our sanctification, making us more holy.
Hebrews 12:10-11 “For they verily for a few days chastened us after their own pleasure; but he for our profit, that we might be partakers of his holiness. Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby.”
God is a faithful Father. Many Christians seem to think that their salvation excuses them from judgment of any kind. That’s the same mistake that Israel made. They assumed that as God’s chosen people, they were immune to a certain degree from terrible judgment. We, as they, misinterpret God’s longsuffering with His apathy. Or, as I said earlier, sometimes we just don’t recognize His judgment. God is faithful to forgive the repentant sinner. He is also a very responsible Father. He allows us to experience the consequences of sin. He doesn’t abandon us during that time of judgment. He will provide for us in every way to bring us through victoriously and wiser than before if we will but look to Him and seek to learn.
Verse 32 reminds me of another verse in Hebrews: Hebrews 12:7 “If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not?”
Point being—The child of God can expect chastening for his sin. The unbeliever can expect to be “condemned with the world” for his sin.
1Cor. 11:33 Wherefore, my brethren, when ye come together to eat, tarry one for another.
1Cor. 11:34 And if any man hunger, let him eat at home; that ye come not together unto condemnation. And the rest will I set in order when I come.
Paul is saying that the coming together of a body of believers to partake of the LORD’s Supper should be a time of unity, worship and fellowship. It’s not a time for satisfying one’s physical appetite; that is to be done at home. By coming to the LORD’s table with the right heart attitude and preparation, you avoid God’s judgment or chastening.
Evidently there were still some other instructions Paul wanted to give the Corinthians regarding proper worship, but had determined that he has given them sufficient instruction for the time being. He intends to give instruction regarding other matters when he comes to see them personally.
1Cor. 12:1 Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I would not have you ignorant.
Paul introduces this section with a topic about which every Christian should be knowledgeable. We discussed this at chapter 10, verse 1. The wording indicates he was probably responding to another question from the believers in Corinth. It’s interesting to me that one of the very things Paul emphasizes causes some of the greatest division among believers and is probably one of the most neglected areas of instruction in the body of believers. (This is a comment based upon my own experience.)
Of note is that the word gifts is supplied by the translators, the Greek is actually a reference to “non-carnal” things or spiritual things.
1Cor. 12:2 Ye know that ye were Gentiles, carried away unto these dumb idols, even as ye were led.
Point is made that the Corinthian church is composed primarily if not completely of Gentiles, heathen or non-Jewish people. The word Gentiles in this verse would probably be better translated “heathen” or “pagan,” as in several of the other translations. Before turning to Jesus in faith they had followed the idol worship practiced in their country. I thought it was interesting that the Greek for “carried away” referenced being “put to death.” That is a very clear statement of the result of following a dumb (voiceless, mute, without signification) idol. The phrase “without signification” stood out to me since it emphasizes that the idol is totally impotent, unable to express its power or character in any way. This, of course, is in direct contrast to Almighty God, Who manifests Himself to man in the person of Jesus and continues to manifest Himself through the Holy Spirit working in and through men—not to mention His mighty miracles of old and those continually on display throughout His creation.
“as ye were led” – This is also a significant statement. We all know the power of peer pressure. It’s natural to want to fit in. What’s interesting is how men could be deceived into following idols to begin with. This is another example of the power and effectiveness of Satan and his forces in this world. He is not called “the god of this world” without reason.
2Corinthians 4:3-4 “But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.”
1Cor. 12:3 Wherefore I give you to understand, that no man speaking by the Spirit of God calleth Jesus accursed: and that no man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost.
Paul makes two important points in this verse:
No man will curse or speak evil of Jesus through the ministry of the Holy Spirit in his life.
No man can declare Jesus is the LORD (supreme in authority, God) except through the ministry of the Holy Spirit in his life.
True believers are indwelt by the Holy Spirit. Therefore, any person who curses or speaks evil of Jesus has identified himself as an unbeliever. To declare Jesus as LORD implies that you accept Him as the supreme authority in your life. Though one may not (and surely will not) be perfect, his/her life will certainly give evidence of that belief. If there is no evidence, there is a strong probability that person is not a true believer. To declare Jesus is LORD is to affirm that He is God.
This verse is a proper introduction to the subject of spiritual gifting. The working of the Spirit in the life of the believer is to testify about Jesus.
John 15:26 “But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me….”
The Holy Spirit is empowering men so that they may glorify the LORD—not themselves.
Stedman: "Anyone, for instance, who says that Jesus Christ nothing but a mere man is virtually saying, ‘Jesus is accursed,’ because according to the teaching of the Bible the whole race is cursed….all teaching that puts down Jesus, that denies his deity, that says he is not the redeemer, that he too is nothing but a great teacher, is, in effect, saying ‘Jesus is accursed.'”
I was listening to Jon Courson last night, and he had some interesting insight on this verse. He made application to speaking in tongues. He pointed out that even in his seminary training, they had been warned not to seek the spiritual gifting of tongues since that could open you up to the influence of the forces of evil. You had no clue of what you were saying, and you could be cursing the LORD. He thinks this might have been the case with the Corinthian church. He then made reference to Matthew 7.
Matthew 7:9-11 “Or what man is there of you, whom if his son ask bread, will he give him a stone? Or if he ask a fish, will he give him a serpent? If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?”
The gospel of Luke words verse 11 this way: Luke 11:13 “If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him?”
This made sense to me. It is the Holy Spirit through whom the Father gifts the believer. Any and every gift He gives us is for the good. When we are operating in the Spirit, we will never curse the LORD; and it is only in the Spirit that we can claim Jesus as LORD of our life.
1Cor. 12:4 Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit.
1Cor. 12:5 And there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord.
1Cor. 12:6 And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all.
These verses seem to be a unit to me. The first thing I notice is the reference to the Trinity—Spirit, LORD (cf verse 3) and God. We are endowed by the Spirit through the obedient sacrifice of the Son as purposed by the Father.
Note that the same Greek word is used in verses 4-6, but is translated three ways—diversities, differences, diversities.
“diversities of gifts” = distinctions and differences of endowment
“differences of administrations” = distinctions or diversity of service for using one’s endowment
“diversities of operations” = distinctions or differences in the effect or result produced through one’s service or use of one’s endowment.
In other words, the Holy Spirit works in and through the body of Christ using many “gifts” in many different ways to accomplish many different things. This takes us back to verse one. It emphasizes that we are referencing spiritual working through the power of the Spirit vs. physical working through carnal abilities of the flesh.
“it is the same God….” – I think it is important to note that the work of One is the work of All in reference to the Trinity. The Greek for the word same indicates a reflexive pronoun. In other words, “God” is the power source for these gifts, administrations and operations. I thought it was interesting that the Greek for worketh included “shew forth.” The operation of the gifts in the life of the believer is to show forth the power of God at work in his/her life.
“all in all” = all (gifts, administrations, operations) in all (believers)
Stedman: “Some of us have athletic ability; some of us have the ability to paint and to draw, and others have ability to lead and excel in various functions of life. Those abilities are given to people all over the world, whether they are believers or not. Like the rain, they come upon the just and the unjust alike. But spiritual gifts are given only to Christians, and they are something you never had before you became a Christian.”
1Cor. 12:7 But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal.
“manifestation” = exhibition, expression--from the root that means “to render apparent”
Special endowments of the Spirit are given to each believer in order to contribute to the good of the whole body of believers. I thought it was interesting that the Greek for “profit withal” included “to bear together (contribute).” That emphasizes that these workings of the Spirit in and through believers are meant to unify us—not separate us.
I think it is worth repeating that the gifts of the Spirit are meant to bring glory to God—not to the person being empowered.
As I continued to think about this, I thought the wording was especially significant. As believers, we are sealed with the presence of the indwelling Spirit of God.
Ephesians 1:12–14 “That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ. In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.”
Romans 8:11 “But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.”
The Spirit that indwells us possesses all the gifts; therefore, the potential for using every gift indwells each true believer. It is the choice of the Spirit as to how He allows each one of us to manifest or make His presence within us known. That choice on behalf of each believer is made with the intent to glorify God as we serve each other and the world according to His purposes.
1Cor. 12:8 For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit;
I generally think of wisdom as the ability to understand how to apply what you know to achieve good. Webster basically states that it is to use knowledge with discernment and skill. More often than not, you will find wisdom and understanding paired in the scripture. I thought it was interesting that good old Webster chose a verse from Job to illustrate that truth.
Job 28:28 “And unto man he said, Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom; and to depart from evil is understanding.”
One is wise who fears the LORD; one who understands that truth will depart from evil. The Psalmist stated it a different way.
Psalm 111:10 “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: a good understanding have all they that do his commandments: his praise endureth for ever.”
He identifies the fear of the LORD as the beginning of wisdom; one who understands that truth will obey God’s commands—one of which is to depart from evil.
A “word” of wisdom is a reference to something spoken. When the Spirit gives one a “word of wisdom,” He is giving that person a revelation of God’s truth that is meant to accomplish His purpose. James gives us a description of a word of wisdom.
James 3:17 “But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.”
It will be:
Pure – It will be holy, morally right, and free from that which harms or weakens.
Peaceable – It will promote calm, contentment, harmony, and agreement in the body of believers.
Gentle – It will be appropriate and will reflect patience (from the Greek) and will not be harsh.
Easy to be intreated – According to the Greek, this means it will be good for persuasion.
Full of mercy – It will be compassionate.
Full of good fruits – It will be conducive to resulting in that which is good or beneficial.
Without partiality – It will apply without bias or preference toward persons.
Without hypocrisy – It will be sincere and without deceit.
The next gift on the list is a “word of knowledge.” The Greek for knowledge is a reference to knowing something, having a “clear perception of fact, truth, or duty (from Webster).” It is interesting that wisdom was listed first, since it implies the ability to use knowledge in the right way. Being given a word of knowledge doesn’t necessarily include the wisdom to use that knowledge correctly. Knowledge can be a dangerous thing if not used wisely, as Satan and his minions so aptly example. It’s interesting to note that “knowledge” will one day pass away.
1Corinthians 13:8 “Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away.”
I think that is because at that time we will all be filled with wisdom, which includes knowledge. We will not possess truth or knowledge without the ability to utilize that truth according to God’s purposes.
Point is made that the gifts of wisdom and knowledge come from the Holy Spirit of God. A “word of knowledge” is a supernatural revelation of knowledge not necessarily based on study or observation.
1Cor. 12:9 To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit;
Another “gift” given by the Holy Spirit is faith. The Greek defines faith as “persuasion and moral conviction of the truth.” Since Paul is addressing believers regarding special works of the Spirit in their lives, I do not believe this is referencing saving faith (although I do believe that is a gift of God as well). I believe this is the gift I most desire. This type of faith is the basis for a mature, vibrant relationship with the LORD. It’s a faith that acts with confidence and without hesitation when one hears God speak to his/her heart. It’s a faith that discounts the circumstances and accounts God able in spite of—and then acts accordingly. I believe this faith goes hand-in-hand with healing and miracles, even though they are evidently separate giftings. I can’t help but think of the following verse regarding this type of faith:
Matthew 17:20 “And Jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you.”
This is also the kind of faith necessary for enduring suffering and/or persecution without fear or bitterness. It’s the kind of faith that allows the believer to experience joy in the midst of suffering as was exampled by Paul and Silas.
Acts 16:19-25 “And when her masters saw that the hope of their gains was gone, they caught Paul and Silas, and drew them into the marketplace unto the rulers, And brought them to the magistrates, saying, These men, being Jews, do exceedingly trouble our city, And teach customs, which are not lawful for us to receive, neither to observe, being Romans. And the multitude rose up together against them: and the magistrates rent off their clothes, and commanded to beat them. And when they had laid many stripes upon them, they cast them into prison, charging the jailor to keep them safely: Who, having received such a charge, thrust them into the inner prison, and made their feet fast in the stocks. And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them.”
It’s the kind of faith that truly believes that “all things work together for good to them that love God.” (Romans 8:28)
It is interesting that next on the list is “gifts of healing” (plural), the ability to cure or make whole. We most often make application to physical healing of disease, but I think it includes more. It is the gift of making whole and can apply to emotional and spiritual sickness just as surely as to physical sickness. The gospels tell us that Jesus healed those who were sick, diseased and oppressed of the devil.
Matthew 9:35 “And Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people.”
Acts 10:38 “How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him.”
The use of the plural indicates to me that a person can be gifted for one type of healing and not another. It could also be an indication that healing is gifted as needed; in other words, the gift is available according to God’s leading—not a gift to be used at will by the believer. I think there are many charlatans who claim this gift today and possibly others who have actually been blessed with this gift at one time and now practice deceit at the expense of needy, hurting people. God does not heal according to the ability to pay or for the public acclaim of the healer. God heals according to faith to the glory of God. According to the biblical record of the ministry of Jesus, I believe that faith can be either that of the one being healed or the healer or both. Jesus used miracles to affirm His truth, to draw the unbelieving to saving faith and to grow the faith of His followers.
1Cor. 12:10 To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues:
Frankly, I consider all these gifts as miracles because of their supernatural
empowerment. The miracles being referenced here would seem to reference those works that fall outside the realm of the other gifts mentioned—sort of like a miscellaneous category. Webster defines miracles as actions that transcend the laws of nature—e.g., raising the dead, turning water into wine, using 5 loaves to feed 1000’s, walking on water, etc. I tend to think that God uses miracles today to affirm His truth and/or His servant. The purpose for Jesus’ miracles was to inspire belief.
John 10:37-38 “If I do not the works of my Father, believe me not. But if I do, though ye believe not me, believe the works: that ye may know, and believe, that the Father is in me, and I in him.”
I tend to think that miracles today would be for the same reason. This excerpt from the Jewish New Testament Commentary would lend support to that thought: “Spectacular miracles are reported more frequently in areas where the Gospel is relatively new. For example, in the 1960’s reports came out of parts of Indonesia reached recently by the Gospel that water had been turned to wine and even that dead people had been raised to life. Verifying the truth of such reports is beyond the scope of a commentary, but the integrity of the Gospel demands avoiding credulity and applying evidential standards at least as high as for establishing other kinds of facts.”
I am convinced that, relatively speaking, these types of miracles are few and far between today.
Guzik: “Gifts of healing and working of miracles often operate in conjunction with the gift of faith, as in Acts 3:1-8. These things are not done on the whim of the individual, as if the power to heal or work miracles was at their permanent disposal. Instead, they operate as an individual is prompted by God and given the faith to perform such a work.”
The Greek for the word prophecy references “prediction” from a root that references “foreteller and inspired speaker.” I believe that predictive prophecy falls more into the same category as miracles--not as prevalent today because God’s message to man was completed with the Revelation. Any true prophecy that is given today will be in support of scripture. I think scripture does indicate that this gift will be on the increase in the “last days,” so I won’t be surprised to see more true prophets appear on the scene.
Acts 2:17 “And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams….”
I’m amazed at the willingness of people to accept the words of self-declared prophets today who have been proven false. Scripture is clear that what is prophesied by a true prophet of God will be 100% accurate—never false, never just partially right.
Deuteronomy 18:20-22 “But the prophet, which shall presume to speak a word in my name, which I have not commanded him to speak, or that shall speak in the name of other gods, even that prophet shall die. And if thou say in thine heart, How shall we know the word which the LORD hath not spoken? When a prophet speaketh in the name of the LORD, if the thing follow not, nor come to pass, that is the thing which the LORD hath not spoken, but the prophet hath spoken it presumptuously: thou shalt not be afraid of him.”
Jeremiah 28:9 “The prophet which prophesieth of peace, when the word of the prophet shall come to pass, then shall the prophet be known, that the LORD hath truly sent him.”
The gift of prophecy is a supernatural gifting from God through His Spirit. It is God’s word coming through man. There is no room for error. God’s word always comes to pass.
Isaiah 55:11 “So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.”
John 17:17” …thy word is truth.”
Jeremiah 23:25-26 & 32 “I have heard what the prophets said, that prophesy lies in my name, saying, I have dreamed, I have dreamed. How long shall this be in the heart of the prophets that prophesy lies? yea, they are prophets of the deceit of their own heart….Behold, I am against them that prophesy false dreams, saith the LORD, and do tell them, and cause my people to err by their lies, and by their lightness; yet I sent them not, nor commanded them: therefore they shall not profit this people at all, saith the LORD.”
I’ve read books that justify the mistakes made by today’s “prophets” as part of a learning curve. I’m sorry; scripture does not support that claim.
It seems to me that the gift of prophecy that would apply to the inspired speaker is much more prevalent today than that of predictive prophecy. This would be the gift possessed by those who have the ability to share the word of God with power and insight, with boldness and clarity, with the ability to inspire others into action.
Jeremiah 23:20-22 "The anger of the LORD shall not return, until he have executed, and till he have performed the thoughts of his heart: in the latter days ye shall consider it perfectly. I have not sent these prophets, yet they ran: I have not spoken to them, yet they prophesied. But if they had stood in my counsel, and had caused my people to hear my words, then they should have turned them from their evil way, and from the evil of their doings.”
Stedman: “In the Bible, the gift of prophesying is the ability to speak the mind of God. It does include at times an element of prediction, but it is the ability to see what God is doing in the world, to spot it from the Scriptures, to understand the movement of God in history and set it forth in such a clear way that people understand where and how God is working today.”
The next gift listed is “discerning of spirits.” I like the definition from the Greek for discerning, “judicial estimation.” Simply put, it is the ability to judge wisely. This wording indicates that there is more than one type of spirit. I more naturally associate this reference with spirit beings, of which there are good and bad.
Acts 8:7 “For unclean spirits, crying with loud voice, came out of many that were possessed with them: and many taken with palsies, and that were lame, were healed.”
Hebrews 1:7 “And of the angels he saith, Who maketh his angels spirits….”
Revelation 16:13-14 “And I saw three unclean spirits like frogs come out of the mouth of the dragon, and out of the mouth of the beast, and out of the mouth of the false prophet. For they are the spirits of devils, working miracles….”
The same Greek word for spirit is used by the Apostle John to reference human beings.
1John 4:1-3 “Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world. Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God: And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world.”
It would seem that the major application of this gift would be discernment among human beings (i.e., prophets and teachers) who claim to be representing God in what they say and do. I don’t discount that it also applies to spirit beings, such as those associated with weeping statues, visions of Mary and other types of deceptive miracles. The Jewish New Testament Commentary (JNT) words it like this, “One might call it the supernatural ability to avoid being deceived.” I think it is interesting to note that this gift is listed right after that of prophecy.
The next gift is “kinds of tongues.”
“kinds” = “kin” (abstract or concrete, literal or figurative, individual or collective):—born, country(-man), diversity, generation, kind(-red), nation, offspring, stock.
“tongues” = of uncertain affinity; the tongue; by implication, a language (specially, one naturally unacquired)
This would seem to be the supernatural ability to speak a foreign language, the language spoken by people of another nation, a language that you have never learned before. This gift was introduced at Pentecost and at that time obviously applied to existing foreign languages.
Acts 2:7-8 “And they were all amazed and marvelled, saying one to another, Behold, are not all these which speak Galilaeans? And how hear we every man in our own tongue, wherein we were born?”
I’m sure this gift was quite prevalent in the early church because of the importance of spreading the gospel. I’m not sure how necessary that would be today. I am not discounting that it is a true gifting; I’m just not sure how prevalent it would be today as a primary tool for spreading God’s truth. I can totally see the LORD using it to protect His servants as shared in this excerpt from the JNT: “For example, one Pentecostal group reported in its denominational publication that one of their missionaries in Africa was saved from the soup pot of a cannibalistic tribe when he began to speak in the language of that tribe, a language he had never learned.”
These are gifts that are meant primarily to serve and edify the church. The use of tongues in a public setting is to be limited to knowing that there is one who can interpret present.
The interpretation of tongues is the last gift mentioned in this section of scripture, and is obviously necessary for the beneficial use of the gift of tongues. If there is no one present with the gift of interpretation, the use of tongues is forbidden in the church assembly.
1 Corinthians 14:27–28 “If any man speak in an unknown tongue, let it be by two, or at the most by three, and that by course; and let one interpret. But if there be no interpreter, let him keep silence in the church; and let him speak to himself, and to God.”
This also implies that the “tongue” being spoken is an intelligible language to someone somewhere. The indication is that one with the gift of interpretation is known for their gift.
1Cor. 12:11 But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will.
“worketh” = to be active, do, be mighty in, show forth self
Paul is clear that it is the one and only Holy Spirit of God that chooses the gifts with which each believer is empowered. I thought it was interesting that the Greek for the word worketh stated to “show forth self.” When the believer is actively operating in one of these special giftings, he/she is the vessel through which the Holy Spirit is declaring His presence, power and authority. We are not gifted because we are special; we are gifted because we are privileged to call God “Father.” We are privileged to call God “Father” because of the sacrifice of His Son and receiving His gift of salvation.
1Cor. 12:12 For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ.
At this point Paul draws a word picture to help us understand the truth he is teaching. Our body is made up of many different parts; each part is unique and is designed to benefit the function of the whole. So too is the body of Christ.
1Cor. 12:13 For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.
1Cor. 12:14 For the body is not one member, but many.
“baptized” = to immerse, submerge
Webster gives more insight in the definition for submerge, “…to be merged; hence, to be completely included.”
When a person accepts Christ as Savior, he/she is merged into a body of believers that exists solely through His willing provision; he/she is not just a useless appendage; we are completely included as part of the whole. Paul emphasizes this truth by comparing it to drinking. The Spirit becomes a part of every believer just as surely as a drink of water assimilates into our physical body. I think the wording of the King James is awkward to our hearing, but I believe it conveys the truth. Through faith we drink in Christ and are joined together as one body in His Spirit. It is only “in Christ” that we have the privilege of relationship to God the Father. I immediately thought of the section in Romans that addresses this same truth.
Romans 12:5 “So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another.”
And then the verses from our study of Galatians.
Galatians 3:26-28 “For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.”
Wiersbe: “The baptism of the Spirit occurs at conversion when the Spirit enters the believing sinner, gives him new life, and makes his body the temple of God. All believers have experienced this once-for-all baptism. Nowhere does the Scripture command us to seek this baptism, because we have already experienced it and it need not be repeated.”
It is clear that the different members of the body are all necessary for it to function properly and with the greatest effectiveness; therefore, none of the members are to be discriminated against or considered less important than another.
I think it is important to note that we believers are the members of the body, and Christ is the head.
Colossians 1:13-18 “Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son: In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins: Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature: For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: And he is before all things, and by him all things consist. And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.”
1Cor. 12:15 If the foot shall say, Because I am not the hand, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body?
1Cor. 12:16 And if the ear shall say, Because I am not the eye, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body?
I think that in context the main point Paul is making is that the members of the body have no part in determining their function; they exist at the will of the Creator. So too, the members of the body of Christ have no part in determining their function through the gifting of the Spirit; it is totally His determination. The function of each member according to his/her gifting has no bearing on his/her position as part of the body of Christ.
1Cor. 12:17 If the whole body were an eye, where were the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where were the smelling?
The Spirit is emphasizing through Paul that every member of the body is necessary and has a reason for being. It is the unique contribution that each member brings to the whole that affects the health of the body and its effective function. So too, it is the unique contribution of every believer through his/her gifting of the Spirit that affects the health of the body of Christ as a whole and its effective impact on this wicked world.
1Cor. 12:18 But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him.
1Cor. 12:19 And if they were all one member, where were the body?
1Cor. 12:20 But now are they many members, yet but one body.
This verse is an emphasis to the previous verses. It is God who has designed and created the body according to His pleasure, His choice, His intention (all from the Greek). Knowing that He has taken such care in the creation and design of our physical bodies, we can be certain that He has taken great care in the creation and design of the spiritual body of believers in Christ. There is no reason for any member of the body to be prideful of his/her function in the body, and there is no reason for any member of the body to disparage his/her function in the body. We should all be rejoicing at the privilege of simply being a part of the body of Christ.
A body is formed by the composite of its members. It is the unique combination of its members that gives it identity and defines its function. None of the members individually could accomplish what the body can as a whole. Each member makes its unique contribution, but the effectiveness of that contribution is affected by the function of the whole.
1Cor. 12:21 And the eye cannot say unto the hand, I have no need of thee: nor again the head to the feet, I have no need of you.
God is not only sovereign in his creation of the body, He is sovereign in determining the specific function of each part. Each part is dependent upon the other for optimal function. The eye provides information that facilitates the function of the hand. Without the hand much of the information provided by the eye would be useless; the eye needs the hand to make use of much of the information that the eye provides to the body. I couldn’t help but think in reverse about how the hand is dependent upon the eye. Both parts of the body are limited in their ability to function independent of each other. A blind person or a person with a missing or paralyzed limb would readily acknowledge that truth.
Paul paints a second word picture regarding the function of the head and feet. Without the feet, the head is limited in the directions in which it can lead the body; without the head the feet (or any other member of the body) are useless.
In reference to Christ as the head of the body, we know that He can function without impairment without the body of believers. Believers, however, are entirely useless and helpless without Christ as their head. God, in His sovereignty, has chosen to work through the body of believers to accomplish His purposes—just as He sovereignly chose to give man the ability to make choices. The things that the body can accomplish are unlimited in Christ if each part is truly yielded to His Lordship and living according to the power of the Holy Spirit and His giftings to us. Each believer that chooses to ignore their gift(s), or to be satisfied with the status quo, or who compromises with the world, or acts with selfish or impure motives, or never spends time in His word or with Him in prayer, etc., impairs the function of the body.
1Cor. 12:22 Nay, much more those members of the body, which seem to be more feeble, are necessary:
“feeble” = without strength, weak
There are so many parts of the body that we would classify as feeble just because they aren’t visible or their function is taken for granted or seems insignificant in comparison to others that are more visible and/or of significant function. You don’t give much thought to your big toe unless you hurt it or lose it. You don’t think much about the function of your pituitary gland until you start having problems related to hormone levels. Lack of visibility and/or size have nothing to do with importance of function.
1Cor. 12:23 And those members of the body, which we think to be less honourable, upon these we bestow more abundant honour; and our uncomely parts have more abundant comeliness.
I didn’t really think any of the translations gave a clear understanding of what Paul was saying in this verse. I think an important phrase in understanding this verse is the phrase “we think.”
“bestow” = to place around, hedge round about
I think this is why the NLT translates the first part of verse 23 as: “And the parts we regard as less honorable are those we clothe with the greatest care.”
It was interesting to compare the NIV, NLT and CJB for the rest of the verse.
NIV - “And the parts that are unpresentable are treated with special modesty….”
NLT - “So we carefully protect from the eyes of others those parts that should not be seen….”
CJB - “And the parts that aren’t attractive are the ones we make as attractive as we can….”
The application to the physical body is obvious; but I have to make connection with the phrase “we think” when making application to the body of Christ. No part of the body of Christ is unattractive or needs to be hidden. I think the CJB makes the best application to the body of Christ and the individual churches that comprise that body in particular. Getting people to serve in the very visible positions in the church is quite easy compared to getting people to serve in the less visible (Sunday School, nursery, parking, etc.) and behind the scenes (prayer warrior, communion prep, stuffing bulletins, etc.) positions, so we try to promote their importance.
1Cor. 12:24 For our comely parts have no need: but God hath tempered the body together, having given more abundant honour to that part which lacked:
1Cor. 12:25 That there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another.
The key point in these verses is that God is the Creator/Designer of the body, and He has given more honor to the parts that we tend to ignore or take for granted. He has made their function so necessary that we have to pay attention to them. God desires for the body to function as a unit. He desires that each member should “esteem other better than themselves” (Philippians 2:3).
I found a very thought-provoking quote from David Guzik regarding these verses: “Sometimes there is a part of our body which only lives to serve itself. It doesn't contribute anything to the rest of the body, and everything it gets it uses to feed and grow itself. We call this cancer.”
1Cor. 12:26 And whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it; or one member be honoured, all the members rejoice with it.
God has purposely designed the parts of the body to be interdependent—so too the body of Christ. When one member experiences pain, distress or grief, or anything that negatively impacts his/her function, it has impact on the effective function of the whole body. When one member experiences honor or praise for their work as part of the body, we can all rejoice at the honor and praise it brings to the body as a whole.
JFB gave two good examples: "When a thorn enters the heel, the whole body feels it, and is concerned: the back bends, the belly and thighs contract themselves, the hands come forward and draw out the thorn, the head stoops, and the eyes regard the affected member with intense gaze”…"When the head is crowned, the whole man feels honored, the mouth expresses, and the eyes look, gladness.”
The culture today is so geared to the individual that we have a hard time embracing the significance of this truth. We are so encouraged to focus on self and making choices that benefit self, that we have need for teaching and learning how to think in terms of our function as an integral part of a much larger whole.
1Cor. 12:27 Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular.
Now Paul reminds the Corinthians that they are specifically gifted members of the body of Christ. Implied - The application to the truth he has been teaching applies to that body of believers.
1Cor. 12:28 And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues.
This verse illustrates the truth of the previous verse. God has specifically gifted and appointed us to different positions and functions in the body of Christ. In order of priority, some are designated to be:
Apostles – The Greek defines this word as “a delegate; specially, an ambassador of the Gospel; officially a commissioner of Christ (“apostle”) (with miraculous powers)…messenger, he that is sent.” It would seem that the priority for the apostle is to spread the gospel and affirm its truth through the leading and empowerment of the Holy Spirit. All the apostles referenced in scripture were serving as missionaries, church planters and guardians of the doctrines of faith.
Prophets – “a foreteller, an inspired speaker” – I think the primary function of the prophet today is as an inspired speaker of the truth of God’s word. He/she is empowered with the ability to clearly and boldly declare that truth. He/she is the vessel of choice for getting the attention of the body of believers to motivate to positive action or to identify areas of weakness and/or disease in the body and declare the need to repent.
Teachers – Teachers are privileged to impart knowledge about the word of God and to explain how we are to make application of the knowledge learned. This office is essential to producing believers that can “give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear….” (1Peter 3:15) It is also essential for the body of believers to “grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.” (2Peter 3:18)
Along with these foundational ministry positions necessary for the effective function of the body of Christ are those who work miracles, who are given gifts that result in healings, who are gifted with helps, governments and tongues (as discussed previously). Paul is making a point here; this listing is not intended to be complete.
1Cor. 12:29 Are all apostles? are all prophets? are all teachers? are all workers of miracles?
1Cor. 12:30 Have all the gifts of healing? do all speak with tongues? do all interpret?
These are rhetorical questions; the answer is obvious—No.
1Cor. 12:31 But covet earnestly the best gifts: and yet shew I unto you a more excellent way.
“best” = stronger, i.e. (figuratively) better, i.e. nobler:—best, better” from a root that means “vigor (“great”) (literally or figuratively):—dominion, might(-ily), power, strength.”
I decided to look at the Greek for best after reading the NLT translation: “And in any event, you should desire the most helpful gifts.”
I think this translation best explains Paul’s heart with this statement. We tend to focus on “better” or “best” as referring to that which is most prominent. I don’t discount some application since Paul makes a point of giving us a prioritized list, but the whole focus of this passage has been the importance of the whole body of Christ and every member of that whole and the need for us to recognize that truth. I felt like the LORD was saying to me, “The best service and gifts for you are the service and gifts that I have decided are the services and gifts with which you can best glorify and serve Me in the body of Christ.”
“and yet I show….” – Paul is introducing the subject of the next chapter. He is going to teach us a lesson of the preeminence of the gift of real love in the life of the believer—“a more excellent way.” Every other service and gift pales in comparison to serving Christ with the gift of love.
Wiersbe: “Unity without diversity would produce uniformity, and uniformity tends to produce death. Life is a balance between unity and diversity….If diversity is not kept under control, it could destroy unity; and then you have anarchy.”