We will continue now with our study of 1st Corinthians 12 starting with verse 27
27 Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular. (KJV)
27 Now you [collectively] are Christ’s body and [individually] you are members of it, each part severally and distinct [each with his own place and function] (AMP)
I like what the amplified version reads for this verse. IT sums up what this whole section has been talking about. We are one body and everyone who is born again is a member of this body, with their own place and function in the body. This proves to me that God is doing this and not man. God knows our strengths and our weakness and knows where each one of us fits into the body. It’s like God sees the full puzzle and fits each piece where it belongs.
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. (KJV)
Here in this verse it tells us that God has set (or called) some to function different positions in the body of Christ. the 1st word of verse 28 is “and” it is a connecting word so we need to look at verse 27 and 28 as one thought. Who has place men into these position? The answer of course is God.
Hs God done away with any of these fittings are positions in the body of Christ I think not. But it is not man that place the pieces if the puzzle together, but God. We should NOT limit God or put God into a box. God could still use any of these positions he chooses to strengthen his body and to cause the gospel to be preached.
29 Are all apostles? are all prophets? are all teachers? are all workers of miracles? (KJV)
30 Have all the gifts of healing? do all speak with tongues? do all interpret? (KJV)
Like Paul says in these verse do we all fit in every position? the answer seems to be no. I agree, but God will sometimes use anyone who is willing to be used. If I was traveling and came upon someone who has not heard the gospel and started to share it with them, am I now walking as an teacher, if I laid my hands on him and prayed with him and God choose to heal this man so that he would understand the full message of the gospel would I not be a worker of healing and miracles in this man’s life.
Let’s not put God in a box or stop the work of God in any way. God created you and knows your talents. Let Him use you to help make his body stronger.
31 But covet earnestly the best gifts: and yet shew I unto you a more excellent way. (KJV)
31 But earnestly desire and zealously cultivate the greatest and best gifts and graces (the higher gifts and the choicest graces). And yet I will show you a still more excellent way [one that is better by far and the highest of them all—love]. (amp)
Here in this final verse of this chapter Paul says we should desire to use the gifts God has given us. Notice these are gifts. God can use you (If you allow him to) and any of the Gifts he has given to the body to make his stronger and to spread the good news to the whole world.
But the story does not end here. Paul says he wants to show us a more excellent way. He wants us to look at ourselves and see why we want to use these gifts. For profit, so that we can be well known. NO, we walk in love and what is love?
we will see what love is in the next chapter and we will look into that chapter in our next blog…
