by Gary L. Evans
Spiritual Gifts— Part 12
1Co 12:12 For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ.
The word “body” is from the Greek “so’-mah” which means “the body (as a sound whole), used in a very wide application, literally or figuratively.”
1Co 12:13 For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.
Paul uses the word “Jews” to represent the twelve flesh tribes of Jacob whose name was changed to Israel. And Paul uses the word “Gentiles” to represent the Sixth Day Creation of the flesh Races of mankind. In Christ’s Body there is no difference, because we all have the very same Spirit or Mind, that is, The Mind of Christ Jesus.
1Co 2:14-16 But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man. For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ.
So we see that Paul has declared what it means to have The Holy Spirit distinct from “the Natural Man,” who only has a fleshly heart and mind. But we literally have The Heart and Mind of Christ Jesus, which was in Jesus while dwelling on this earth.
1Co 12:14-18 For the body is not one member, but many. If the foot shall say, Because I am not the hand, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body? And if the ear shall say, Because I am not the eye, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body? If the whole body were an eye, where were the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where were the smelling? But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him.
Paul uses the various parts of our natural bodies to explain a very important precept regarding Christians having The Holy Spirit each possessing various Spiritual Gifts.
1Co 12:19-23 And if they were all one member, where were the body? But now are they many members, yet but one body. And the eye cannot say unto the hand, I have no need of thee: nor again the head to the feet, I have no need of you. Nay, much more those members of the body, which seem to be more feeble, are necessary: And those members of the body, which we think to be less honourable, upon these we bestow more abundant honour; and our uncomely parts have more abundant comeliness.
We must understand that God made our bodies by His Wisdom, so every part of our body provides an important function in the whole making us complete. And we must never esteem one above another.
1Co 12:24-26 For our comely parts have no need: but God hath tempered the body together, having given more abundant honour to that part which lacked: That there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another. And whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it; or one member be honoured, all the members rejoice with it
The word “schism” is from “skhis’-mah” which means “a split or gap (“schism”), literally or figuratively: – division, rent, schism.”
We know we must take good care of each part of our bodies in order for the whole body to remain healthy and able to perform good work.
1Co 12:27-31 Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular. 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. Are all apostles? are all prophets? are all teachers? are all workers of miracles? Have all the gifts of healing? do all speak with tongues? do all interpret? But covet earnestly the best gifts: and yet shew I unto you a more excellent way.
Paul lists Nine Gifts of The Holy Spirit that are possessed by the various members of The Assembly:
- Apostles,
- Prophets,
- Teachers,
- Miracles,
- Healings,
- Helps,
- Governments,
- Foreign Languages,
- Interpreters.
The word “best” is from “krite’-tohn” which means “(figuratively) better, that is, nobler: – best, better.”
We should seek to acquire the best or more nobler gifts, however we must never think less of any gift God gives to the members of The Body of Christ in this world.
1Co 13:1 Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal.
The word “charity” is from “ag-ah’-pay” which means “love, that is, affection or benevolence; specifically (plural) a love feast: – (feast of) charity ([-ably]), dear, love.”
If we do not use our gifts in The Spirit of Love, then we are like the Tin Man who had no heart. We are just metal rattling away in our futile efforts to help others.
1Co 13:2-8 And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing. And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing. Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things. Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away.
The phrase “suffereth long” is from “mak-roth-oo-meh’-o” which means “to be long spirited, that is, (objectively) forbearing or (subjectively) patient.”
1Co 13:9 For we know in part, and we prophesy in part.
The word “prophesy” is from “prof-ay-ti’-ah” which means “prophecy; prediction (scriptural or other).”
We can only learn a limited amount of Knowledge from God’s Word while we dwell in these flesh bodies because our time remaining is limited. Thus we are limited in how much we can learn about The Mysteries and Prophesies from The Scriptures that we can teach to others, for examples The First Earth Age, The Seven Seals, The Lord’s Parables, The Mark of The Beast, etc.
1Co 13:10-13 But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away. When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things. For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known. And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.
Mat 22:35-40 Then one of them, which was a lawyer, asked him a question, tempting him, and saying, Master, which is the great commandment in the law? Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.
Jesus declared that all of The Law and The Prophets is based on The Greatest Commandments, that we Love God and Love our fellow man. God is Love, and He loves us and desires that we love Him, and He also desires that we love one another as ourselves. Finally, Paul declared that the Greatest Spiritual Gift we can receive from The Holy Spirit, which is The Heart and Mind of Christ, is Sincere Love for God and for others. Therefore, my friends, pray for The Gift of a Loving Heart.
Whosoever has eyes to see and ears to hear, let him hear.