Bible Studies for Life
By James R. Strange, Associate Professor of Religion, Samford University
Equipped with God’s Gifts
1 Corinthians 12:4–11
In the Christian calendar, today is Epiphany Sunday, the day on which we celebrate Jesus’ appearance, focusing either on the magi who brought gifts to Jesus, or on Jesus’ baptism when the Spirit descended on him. Appropriately, the lesson today is about spiritual gifts that God gives to believers.
The letter we call “First Corinthians” is at least the second letter Paul wrote to this congregation (5:9). During his ministry he visited Corinth more than once and wrote at least three letters, each time dealing with many issues. The most pressing issue was the congregation’s lack of unity. Roman society was highly stratified, whereas Christian congregations brought together people of every level, from the wealthy to the slave. The pressure to reinforce societal divisions or to invent new ones remained strong. This was because despite the early Church’s egalitarian ideals, other unofficial religions similar to Christianity did sort initiates out into a complicated, even military-like ranking system. The worship of the Persian god Mithras is a good example. At Corinth, apparently some Corinthian believers used even the Lord’s Supper (11:17–34) and spiritual gifts (12:1–13:13) to make distinctions between themselves that God neither saw nor acknowledged.
Paul’s instruction on gifts begins with 12:1 and leads to the famous love passage of 13:1–13.
God gives spiritual gifts to each believer. (4–6)
In 12:1 Paul mentioned “spiritual things” (sometimes translated “spiritual gifts”). In 12:4 he mentions only “gifts.” The word has the same root as “grace,” suggesting that these gifts are a kind of grace.
Because Paul is dealing with the problem of unity, here he studiously refuses to rank gifts, ministries or offices (v. 28) and activities. He says only that the same Spirit, Lord and God is responsible for all of them. He’ll do some ranking later, but mostly to turn things on their heads. People seem to be especially proud of speaking in tongues, maybe because it was practiced in other religions where it was a basis for ranking initiates. Paul will say he regards it as a less important gift than prophecy (14:4–5). Why? Because prophecy builds up the church. Furthermore, love is the greatest gift. And why is that? Without love, the other gifts have no benefit. Furthermore, all other gifts will end. What will be the need for prophecy, tongues, knowledge, faith and hope when we see God face to face? What will remain is unending love: God’s love for us and ours for God and for each other (13:8–13).
God gives a variety of spiritual gifts. (7–10)
Apparently some gifts correspond to ministries, for some gifts in this passage overlap with ministries in verse 28. Notice that not all churches today still practice all of the gifts Paul mentions. This remains a basis for divisions between Christian denominations. Some who do prophesy, heal and speak in tongues consider those who don’t to be less spiritual, and those who don’t often consider those who do to be less sophisticated.
God gives spiritual gifts as He sees best. (11)
The Holy Spirit chooses which gift to allot to whom. Whatever gift we have, it is a grace from God rather than a cause for pride or rank.
It seems as if God’s people are prone to prejudge one another based on just about anything. The old spiritual, “There is a Balm in Gilead,” is appropriate to remember. It ends with this verse: “If you cannot preach like Peter, if you cannot pray like Paul, you can tell the love of Jesus, and say, ‘He died for all.’”
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Explore the Bible
By Douglas K. Wilson, PhD, Dean, School of Christian Ministries, University of Mobile
THE KING’S EXPECTATIONS
Matthew 5:1–16
The kingdom of heaven is a favorite topic of our Lord in the Sermon on the Mount. His beatitudes begin and end with the Kingdom (5:3, 10). In His discussion of fulfilling the Law and the Prophets, Jesus mentions the Kingdom three times (5:19–20). He teaches us to pray with the Kingdom in mind, and to seek the Kingdom first (6:10, 33). Jesus also warns us that religious activity alone does not guarantee entrance into the Kingdom (7:21).
Pharisees focused on the Law, not just the Ten Commandments, but the 613 instructions found in the Torah. Jesus made reference to the Pharisees, both directly and indirectly, throughout His sermon. The King’s expectations were high. His subjects’ obedience was expected to surpass that of the Pharisees. In fact, they were to reflect the perfection of God. How could anyone measure up to these standards?
The New Moses (1–2)
Following 40 days of fasting, Moses descended from Mount Sinai with stone tablets which contained the very words of God, instructions for God’s people to walk in covenant relationship with Him. In Matthew’s Gospel, Jesus instructs His disciples with authority after fasting for 40 days and winning a spiritual battle against the tempter.
God told Moses that He would send another prophet like him (Deut. 18:18), and Matthew presents Jesus as the fulfillment of God’s Word. The King spoke with authority as He instructed His disciples and explained the true meaning of the Law.
The New Blessings (3–12)
Counterintuitive, or so they seem. The eight maxims traditionally called the beatitudes are promises of blessing, predicated on humility. Blessed to be poor? The common theological assumption was that God provided material wealth to those He favored. Blessed are those who mourn? How can we be blessed if God has taken someone away? Blessed are the meek? Judas Maccabeus, the hero of Hanukkah, showed that the Jews could defend themselves against those who mock and defame their faith.
Each of the difficulties we face is an investment, so to speak. Recognizing our spiritual bankruptcy is the first step toward the Kingdom. Mourning over our sin, demonstrating meekness, longing for the things of God, sharing the peace of God, enduring persecution for following Jesus — each of these is a seed in the garden which will produce a fruitful harvest in due season.
Jesus turned the attention from third person (blessed are they) to second person (blessed are you). “Blessed are you when they insult you and persecute you and falsely say every kind of evil against you because of Me” (v. 11). In a time when persecution against followers of Christ is on the rise globally, we are reminded that the ancient prophets and apostles were likewise persecuted for heralding the word of God.
The New Expectations (13–16)
Here, Jesus makes a transition utilizing two household items as metaphors. His disciples are called to be salt and light. Salt is a preservative, an antiseptic and a seasoning. We are bearers of good news, salty in passing on the blessing of a covenant relationship with God. Light is an illuminator and a conqueror. The smallest oil lamp can light the darkest room.
Jesus is the light of the world (John 1:6–9; 8:12). As His disciples, we reflect the light, just as a full moon reflects the light of the sun. The King expects us to shine, rather than hide, His light. The end result is that others will glorify our Father in heaven.
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