1 Corinthians 12

Saturday, 6 December 2014

And there are diversities of activities, but it is the same God who works all in all. 1 Corinthians 12:6

Paul moves to the third precept which governs our Christian life. The first was “gifts,” the second was “ministries,” and the third is that there are “diversities of activities.” Some translations call these “operations” or “administrations.” According to Vincent’s Word Studies, they are the “Outward manifestations and results of spiritual gifts.”

If someone has the gift of preaching, the manifestation of that is the weaving of words together to build up and edify others. If they have the gift of tongues, they will be able to either speak or translate a language in order to build up others through the impartation of that language. If they have the gift of giving, their activity will be seen perhaps in what they give in order for the ministry to continue to grow and meet its needs.

It should be noted that for the most part, the gifts which are given to believers are not unique to the church. Non-Christians have oratory skills and speak to build up and edify others. People around the world are able to speak in a multitude of languages. And likewise, there are people who give to charities to help others in almost every culture and nation on earth. This is true with the vast majority of gifts and types of ministries and the activities derived from them.

The difference is that for the Christian, the gift moves from a world-centered perspective to a Christ-centered one. The true spiritual gift is one which is used to glorify God as opposed to self or something less than God. This is an important distinction that should not be missed because many claim that they have a certain gift of God and yet it is not used for His glory. The book of Acts shows this on several occasions.

For the Christian though, “there are diversities of activities, but it is the same God who works all in all.” When the activity is used appropriately, it will bring honor to Jesus Christ and thus honor God the Father. It is God “who works all in all” for that very purpose. This is confirmed by Jesus’ words which say, “that all should honor the Son just as they honor the Father. He who does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent Him.” John 5:23

Life application: You have been given a gift. As a Christian, it is intended to bring glory to God. And so allow God to work through you and your gift to bring Him the glory that He is due.

Heavenly Father, before I met Christ, I wasted all of the talents and gifts that You had given me. I worked for others to see me and pat me on the back, I worked to have things that were temporary and without any true importance, and even in the things I did that I thought were for good, they didn’t include You. Now I understand that apart from You, it was all wasted effort. May all that I do for the rest of my days be used to glorify You my precious Lord. Amen.

Friday, 5 December 2014

There are differences of ministries, but the same Lord. 1 Corinthians 12:5

Just as there are “diversities of gifts” (v. 4) given by the Spirit, there are also “differences of ministries.” The same word translates both “diversities” and “differences.” In the sense of differing ministries, the word is used in the Greek translation of the Old Testament when referring to the divisions of the priests and Levites recorded in 1 Chronicles and Ezra.

In the church, there are elders, deacons, and etc. Each has a particular ministry to perform and yet, they all fall under “the same Lord” who is the Head of the church. The “Lord” here is certainly speaking of Jesus who commissioned the disciples in Matthew 10:1 and Luke 10:1 and who designated each apostle according to His choice, such as Peter’s appointment in Matthew 16:18 when he was given “the keys of the kingdom of heaven.” Peter exercised his use of those keys in Acts 2, 8, and 10 during the early establishment of the church.

If an appointment is a true appointment, it falls under the Lordship of Christ and there should be neither feelings of pride nor of lowliness. Rather, each person who is appointed under Christ in true ministry, regardless of its size or supposed importance, is fulfilling a job over which the Lord is in charge. For this reason, both boasting or feelings of lowliness are to be excluded.

Life application: Do you have a ministry within the church? If you clean the bathrooms as your task is that a shame to you? If you are a pastor of an extremely large and popular church, is that a point of boasting to you? Would the people come to a fancy church if the bathrooms were utterly disgusting? So, whose ministry makes that difference? The jobs we might feel as lowly are actually of great importance. All jobs should ultimately be directed to the honor of the Lord.

Lord establish the work of my hands
So that my tasks will bring glory to You
May it be that everyone understands
You are the reason for all that I do

Whether sharing Your good news, my Lord
Or cleaning a bathroom on Thursday every week
Or teaching others Your precious word
In each task, only Your glory I seek

Lord, thank You for the people who are willing to do the different jobs within the church. Together each task unites to make a well-functioning ministry that is edifying to those who attend. Thank You for those who clean, those who bring food, those who make sure the lights all work, those who teach, those who invite, and a thousand other ministries that come together as a group to worship You. Thank You for each one of them. Amen.

Thursday, 4 December 2014

There are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. 1 Corinthians 12:4

Paul returns back to the thought of verse 1 in order to continue his discourse on “gifts.” There he said, “Now concerning spiritual gifts…” after that, he made an explanation concerning the distinction between “dumb idols” and the Holy Spirit. Now, based on understanding the true workings of the Spirit, he notes that, “There are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit.”

The word “diversities” is used only three times in the New Testament and all three are found in verses 4, 5, and 6. Interestingly, the Spirit is noted in verse 4, Christ (the “Lord”) is noted in verse 5, and the Father (called “the same God”) in verse 6. Thus, this sequence of verses shows a purposeful expression of the doctrine of the Trinity. The “diversities” then are shown to be reflective of the different workings of the Trinity in the believer.

The process of salvation in the believer is always the same; it is by grace through faith. At the moment of salvation, the believer is sealed with the Spirit. However, from this point, different gifts are highlighted in individual believers, even though the Source of those gifts remains the same. When the sun shines on an individual, the result is the same as the light shining on another person; they both receive the same light. However, when light shines through a prism, the light goes off into a variety of colors. The same light is received, but it is diffused as God determined through the created order. Such is the nature of salvation in the believer followed by the expression of gifts given to and through the believer.

Life application: It is common to quote Jesus’ words from Matthew 5:16 which say, “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.” The light that shines then should be a reflection of the person that you are as gifted by the Holy Spirit. Let the Light which has shone on you be displayed in a manner worthy of the gift which you have received.

Lord, I know You didn’t save me to continue on as I was before You saved me. And so change me, mold me, and refine me to reflect Your glory, to seek Your honor, and to lead others to You. What a tragedy it is when I waste the precious time You have given me on my old life and my old ways. Help me in this Lord. Old clothes are often more comfortable, but they have rips, stains, and stinky smells. Clothe me with pure garments of Your righteousness each morning as I arise and I will wear them to Your glory. Amen.

Wednesday, 3 December 2014

Therefore I make known to you that no one speaking by the Spirit of God calls Jesus accursed, and no one can say that Jesus is Lord except by the Holy Spirit. 1 Corinthians 12:3

This verse is commonly misunderstood because the context has been ignored. If this were a stand-alone verse, it would seem to say something completely different than is intended. But Paul begins with the word “therefore” to show us that the entire verse is dependent on what has already been said. He has been speaking of “spiritual gifts” as opposed to “dumb idols.” A true spiritual gift is one which is given by the true Spirit of God. As the Spirit is a member of the Godhead, then what issues forth from the Spirit will never contradict what the Godhead has proclaimed or ordained.

The Godhead is in full agreement in all things and so any gift which has come from the Spirit will be in line with that precept. Knowing this with all surety, Paul says, “Therefore I make known to you…” His words are given so that the Corinthians will be able to absolutely discern whether a supposed “gift” is really from the Spirit or not. This then must be in response to a matter raised in the letter written to him. Someone must have claimed to prophesy “in the Spirit” and what he prophesied was seemingly contrary to what they thought was truthful. Hence, Paul is giving certain clarification concerning the matter.

In his words, he notes that “no one speaking by the Spirit of God calls Jesus accursed.” The term “no one” is the Greek oideis. It could be a man speaking out of his own head, whether rational or insane, or it could be speaking of a demon influencing a person or somehow (if possible) appearing in order to make a proclamation. In other words, any word spoken by anyone or anything who claims inspiration “by the Spirit of God” is to be considered in this. If that claim is made, it cannot be true if they call “Jesus accursed.” The word for accursed is anathema which carries the idea of being banned or set apart for destruction. It is impossible that the Spirit would say such a thing through someone and therefore, if someone made that statement and claimed they were in the Spirit, they would be proven false.

Likewise, Paul says that “no one can say that Jesus is Lord except by the Holy Spirit.” Again, he is talking about someone who is claiming inspiration by the Spirit. Anyone can actually utter the words “Jesus is Lord” but if they are not truly under the influence of the Spirit, then the words have no meaning. However, if they are in the Spirit, then the words are certainly true. The matter here isn’t concerning human ability, but rather influence of the Spirit.

The reason why this is important is that there are all kinds of false teachers who stand in the pulpit claiming that Jesus is Lord, but don’t truly believe it. Nor are they influenced by the Spirit. This verse cannot be used as a source for following someone simply because they make an oral pronouncement. Instead, it is given as a means of discerning whether a proclamation is truly of the Spirit or not.

Life application: As all Scripture is given by God, nothing that Scripture contains will ever contradict itself nor will it be aligned against the purposes of God. Further, any action within a church which is not in accord with Scripture cannot be of the Spirit. This will become immensely important to understand later when Paul gives the directions for speaking in tongues. If those directions aren’t in line with Scripture, then they are not of the Spirit.

Lord, today I would like to lift up those people I know who are facing troubles and trials in their lives. So many with hearts that truly love You are facing really difficult times. Let their faith not be shaken and let them know that You are with them even through their trials. Remind them of the promises of Your word and help them to keep their eyes and hearts steadfastly on those things. Be their Comforter and their Rock of refuge. Thank You Lord. Amen.

Tuesday, 2 December 2014

You know that you were Gentiles, carried away to these dumb idols, however you were led. 1 Corinthians 12:2

In this verse, Paul is showing a contrast between the “spiritual gifts” mentioned in verse 1 and that of dumb idols. As Gentiles and without the knowledge of the true God, they were “carried away to these dumb idols.” As occurs even today, there are charlatans who pretend to speak for idols or even through idols – things made of stone, wood, metal, or even plastic. They have no true power and they cannot affect our lives in any way.

An example of this from the 115th Psalm provides clarity concerning the matter –

“But our God is in heaven; He does whatever He pleases. ⁴ Their idols are silver and gold, The work of men’s hands. ⁵ They have mouths, but they do not speak; Eyes they have, but they do not see; ⁶ They have ears, but they do not hear; Noses they have, but they do not smell; ⁷ They have hands, but they do not handle; Feet they have, but they do not walk; Nor do they mutter through their throat. ⁸ Those who make them are like them; So is everyone who trusts in them.” Psalm 115:3-8

It is from such a state that these Gentiles in Corinth had been called. They once followed after dumb idols, having been “led” by them. The word “led” is from the Greek word apagomenoi. It carries the idea of being seduced or carried away. Thus, the Gentile world, either uninformed or misinformed about the true God, was carried away in deception by such idols. In contrast to this is the sealing of the Spirit in believers of Jesus Christ. They have been lovingly called out of darkness and into the light of the truth and have been endowed with spiritual gifts to confirm their new position.

Having stated this, Paul will now expand on the thought so that the believers will understand their own position and their own gifts within the body.

Life application: Things that we take for granted as harmless are often most destructive. Knocking on wood, Indian dream catchers, fung shui arrangements, and even idols within “Christian” circles, such as statues of Mary, crucifixes, etc, will all distract our attention from the truth of our relationship in Christ. Further, our participating in such things can only lead others away from the truth as well. Keep your Bible open, your eyes on Jesus, and your prayers to God through Him alone.

Yes Lord God, I was once under the impression that horoscopes, Feng Shui, and little statues could somehow affect my life. But then I met Christ my Lord and I realized that there is no created thing which is due my attention or devotion. Rather, my heart belongs to Him, my eyes will be focused on Him, and my meditation will be on Your word both day and night. In this, I know I will always be pleasing to You. Thank You for the freedom I have from dumb idols now to serve You, the Living God. Amen.