Chapter 12
| 1 Corinthians: -1- -2- -3- -4- -5- -6- -7- -8- -9- -10- -11- -12- -13- -14- -15- -16- |
|---|
| 12:1 Now, concerning the spirituals, brethren, I do not want you to be ignorant. 2 You know that when you were of the ethnic peoples, you were guided and carried by voiceless idols. 3 Therefore, I make known to you that no one who speaks inside of the Spirit of God can say, “Accursed be Jesus.” And no one is able to say, “Lord Jesus,” if they are not inside of the Devoted Spirit. • 4 There are many varieties of the expressions of graces, but the same Spirit, 5 and there are varieties of services, but the same Lord. 6 There are varieties of operations, that is, effects of Energeia, but the same God who energeoes all inside of all. • 7 To each one is given the appearance or disclosure of the Spirit for shared profit. 8 To one, indeed, through the Spirit, is given a word of wisdom; to another a word of knowledge, according to the same Spirit. 9 To a different one is given faith inside of the same Spirit, to another the grace of healing inside of the same Spirit. 10 To another is given the energeia of power, to another prophecy, to another discerning of spirits. To a different one is given various kinds of tongues, to another interpretation of tongues. • 11 In all these things the same Spirit energeoes, distributing personally to each as He intends. • 12 For just as the body is one, but has many members, yet all the members of the body, being many, are one body, so also is Christ. • 13 Indeed, we also, inside of one Spirit, were immersed into one body, whether Judeans or Greeks, whether slaves or free, and have all been given one Spirit to drink. 14 For the body is not one member, but many. [Ruling Verse 11] 15 If the foot should say, “Because I am not a hand, I am not of the body,” does it then become not of the body? 16 And if the ear should say, “Because I am not an eye, I am not of the body,” does it then become not of the body? 17 If all the body were an eye, where would be the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where would be the sense of smell? 18 Now, however, God has placed each one of the members in the body as He desired. 19 For if there were just one member, where would be the body? • 20 Now, indeed, there are many members, yet one body. 21 More than that, the eye is not able to say to the hand, “I have no need of you,” nor again the head to the feet, “I have no need of you.” 22 Much rather, those members of the body that appear to be weaker are essential; 23 and those we imagine to be less honorable in the body, upon these we place upon or enclothe with more abundant value; and our indecent parts have more abundant decorum or covering 24 while our presentable parts have no need. But God has composed and brought together the body, giving more abundant honor and value to the deficient parts, 25 so that there might not be division in the body, • but that the members would have the same anxious care for one another. 26 And if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it [sharing the same suffering]; if one member is esteemed glorious, all the members rejoice with it [sharing the same joy]. • 27 You are indeed the body of Christ and members of Him as a part. 28 And God has placed and set forth in the church, first apostles, secondly prophets, thirdly teachers, then demonstrations of power, gifts of healing, helping and administering, and various kinds of tongues. 29 Not all are apostles; not all are prophets; not all are teachers, not all exhibit power, 30 not all have gifts of healing; not all speak with tongues [in the assembly], and not all interpret. 31 Desire the largest gifts [your own gift extended fully], yet now I would show you a more excellent path. |
| Gospel Word | Notes |
|---|---|
| • Definition: Spirit is the essence of God that touches creation. The Spirit is the Energeia of God energeoing inside each believer and among us together. Energeia is that life force working in and giving life to each individual. God, by His Spirit, energeoes everything inside of each believer in Jesus. • The Form for God through Jesus: The form for Jesus is the Body of Christ, The form for Jesus is the Body of Christ, yet God comes always inside of Him, making us also the Temple, the Form for God inside of creation. The Lord Jesus, then, expresses Himself through His Body, His Form to all heaven-earth, through the innumerable expressions, graces, and services of the Spirit given personally to each member of His Body to give, in turn, to others. As we give the gifts of the Spirit to one another in the gathering together, so Jesus is seen and known as He is. • Ruling Verse 11: Christ is a many-membered Body, with the human body, spirit and physic together, as a picture of the Form that Jesus inhabits as a Life-Giving Spirit (see 1 Corinthians 15:45). The Spirit has already immersed us together as one body, regardless of our origins. Jesus has become the expression of our togetherness. • Speak Christ: We are one body together, drinking of one Spirit and members of each other. Our togetherness is the form for Christ Jesus in creation, Jesus seen and known. • Covenant: We are bound together as members of each other with the mighty Bonds of Love. We must get to know one another, heart with heart, for we are part of each other forever. By its very nature, the Body of Jesus draws us together into Christ Community, into life shared together in daily commitment, brethren, dwelling together in unity. • Ruling Verse 8: Having “the same anxious care for one another” is the essence of our love together as the Body of Christ. It is this care that draws us into life together as Communities of Christ, for we love one another in exactly the same way that Jesus loves us. Walking together and walking with Jesus are the same thing. We share the same suffering together; we share the same JOY. • The Form for God through Jesus: Our gathering together in committed Christ Community is Jesus made visible, Jesus walking this earth. The Lord Jesus has no other form inside of creation, for Christ is a many-membered Body. Every aspect of our fellowship in daily life together is inside the Fellowship of Father and Son. And every aspect of that divine Fellowship is known by all creation through our love for one another. • Kingdom: Just as the human body operates in perfect harmony, so God has an order for His Church. This is not a “hierarchy of rule,” for the same Lord Jesus is head inside of each and over all. Rather, it is a giving of honor to one another as Jesus to us. The apostolic are those who carry Father’s Heart and Purpose as their all-concern, that God will possess His Desire. The prophetic are those who speak Christ into others, calling them forth into the revelation of Jesus. Yet each one finds their own critical place, for each is VITAL. |
Lesson Pages: