I Cor 12

I Cor 12 is one of the key chapters about spiritual gifts, however for the purpose
of this study, we will not concentrate on the nature of spiritual gifts as we had a
series of sermons about that topic. Instead we will talk about “Being the body of
Christ”

In this chapter, Paul uses the analogy of the body to talk about our relationship
with each other. The body perfectly illustrates certain points;Unity in Diversity

v.12 “Just as the body is one and has many members…so it is with the church”.
We are all members of one body. The reference in verse 13 to Jews and Greeks,
slaves and free, reminds us of the many coloured diversity of the body of Christ.
Corinth was a cosmopolitan seaport full of people from many different cultures.
That presented difficulties, but it offered immense potential for a full-blooded
testimony to Christ.

1. We are Christ’s and one another’s (v. 14-27)

• We need one another. There are two sides to this particular coin. The
stress in verse 15-16 is on a wrong kind of independence which could be
based either on feeling not needed and unimportant, or on resenting not
having made or gifted differently. The other aspect (v.21) is an attitude of
superiority on the part of some members towards others. Both an
independent spirit and a superior attitude bring atrophy and paralysis to
the body as a whole, because it is deprived of certain contributions
without which it must degenerate. If we are together the body of Christ,
we need one another, not only for the health of the body as a whole, but
also to enable each individual to operate at full potential. Any Christian
who operate independently is reducing his own effectiveness and that of
the body as a whole.

• We differ from one another (17-20). A body that is all eyes and ears is not
a body. Each member is unique, distinctive, irreplaceable and
unrepeatable. Instead of allowing ourselves to be cast in any one mould,
we ought to relish the differences and learn to capitalise on them.

• We are to care for one another (22-26). This mutual care is also intrinsic to
the body. The word “compose” in verse 24 where it says “this is the way
God so composed the body” has the basic meaning of mixing different
parts together with a specific purpose in mind. The word may be used of
mixing colours. Paul gives two suggestions: to give special care to those
who are weak and to rejoice with those who rejoice and weep with those
who weep.
• Our individuality.

As the body of Christ operates this way, so the individual members will
find their real needs met. The need for security is met in the assurance
that “I belong to the body”. The need for identity is met in recognising that
I have a distinctive contribution to bring to the body. The need for proper
sense for responsibility is met by assuming concern for others in the body.

Discuss: How would you rate your cell as a body? Is there a sense of
variety, unity and ministry?

Have you found your unique role and contribution to the cell?