1 Corinthians 12 - 14 (2nd December) - Vivien

1 Corinthians 12
In chapter 12, there are 2 passages – Spiritual Gifts and One Body, Many Parts. Both are talking about unity among different functions

From verses 1 to 11, it talks about the different spiritual gifts that existed and we are not to be ignorant about it. But before telling them the gifts, Apostle Paul added a reminder (v4 – 7):

“There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working, but the same God works all of them in all men. Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good.”

This is a fundamental fact the God has laid down.

Then there goes the list of gifts:
• Message of Wisdom
• Message of Knowledge
• Faith
• Healing
• Miraculous Powers
• Prophecy
• Distinguishing between spirits
• Speaking of different tongues
• Interpretation of tongues

“All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and He gives them to each one, just as He determines.” v11

So there is no point is comparing gifts or being envious, because God determines the gifts that you receive.

From verse 12 to 31, Apostle Paul used a human body as an analogy to reinforce unity. He gave examples like the foot cannot reject itself because it is not a hand then also the eyes cannot reject the hand because it is not an eye. I believe Paul purposely did that so that we will not have any excuses of rejecting either others or ourselves. What is more important is that we worshipping the same God.

So kind possessing different gifts, we have different roles to play, but the purpose is ONE!

1 Corinthians 13
My favourite topic, I guess everyone’s too! Hehe… LOVE. God may have wired us differently; nevertheless He has wired us in one common area, our desire to be loved and to love, because God is love. When He created mankind in His image, love is something that is in His character. That DNA we all possess from Him =)

Apostle Paul started by giving a continuum of examples of different degree of empty actions. From speaking in tongues to physical sacrifice (which I feel is really extreme! How can you sacrifice your body love without love, unless you don’t love yourself at all). But I guess this will cover all grounds; no excuses!

Verse 4 to 8a is definition of love:

“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
Love never fails.”

Things may change or pass away but 3 will remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of all is LOVE.

1 Corinthians 14
Chapter 14 consists of 2 areas of corrections in handling the gifts of prophecy and worship.

From verses 1 to 25, Paul teaches us about prophecy and tongues. When we use the gift we should bring edification to the body. So what is the right way when speaking in tongues?

“For this reason anyone who speaks in a tongue should pray that he may interpret what he says. For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my mind is unfruitful. So what shall I do? I will pray with my spirit, but I will also pray with my mind; I will sing with my spirit, but I will also sing with my mind.”

We shouldn’t just stop at speaking in tongues, but also ask God for revelation so that there will be edification to the body.

From verses 26 to 40, it talks about orderly worship. Yes, there is freedom to worship God, but this should be order too. Maintaining order brings out the reverence and also can better edify the body. I remember when we have worship back in TC or TCT, there were times where the altar is open for members of church to release words. It was done in an orderly manner where one speaks and the rest listen. Then it becomes very clear to every listen what was being said, and the body may be edified.