1Corinthians:12:12-31

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rwp @1Corinthians:12:12 @{Songs:also is Christ } (\hout “s kai ho Christos \). One would naturally expect Paul here to say \hout “s kai to s “ma tou Christou \ (so also is the body of Christ ). He will later call Christ the Head of the Body the Church as in strkjv @Colossians:1:18 ,24 ; strkjv @Ephesians:5:23 ,30 |. Aristotle had used \s “ma \ of the state as the body politic . What Paul here means is Christ as the Head of the Church has a body composed of the members who have varied gifts and functions like the different members of the human body . They are all vitally connected with the Head of the body and with each other . This idea he now elaborates in a remarkable manner . rwp @1Corinthians:12:13 @{Were we all baptized into one body } (\h ˆmeis pantes eis hen s “ma ebaptisth ˆmen \). First aorist passive indicative of \baptiz “\ and so a reference to a definite past event with each of them of different races , nations , classes , when each of them put on the outward badge of service to Christ , the symbol of the inward changes already wrought in them by the Holy Spirit (Galatians:3:27 ; strkjv @Romans:6:2ff .|). {And were all made to drink of one Spirit } (\kai pantes hen pneuma epotisth ˆmen \). First aorist passive indicative of \potiz “\, old verb , to give to drink . The accusative \hen pneuma \ is retained in the passive as often with verbs that in the active take two accusatives . The reference is to a definite act in the past , probably to the inward experience of the Holy Spirit symbolized by the act of baptism . rwp @1Corinthians:12:14 @{Is not one member } (\ouk estin hen melos \). The point sounds like a truism , but it is the key to the whole problem of church life both local and general . Vincent refers to the fable of the body and the members by Menenius Agrippa (Livy , II , 32 ), but it was an old parable . Socrates pointed out how absurd it would be if feet and hands should work against one another when God made them to cooperate (Xen ., _Mem_ . II . iii . 18 ). Seneca alludes to it as does Marcus Aurelius and Marcus Antoninus . rwp @1Corinthians:12:15 @{If the foot shall say } (\ean eip ˆi ho pous \). Condition of third class (\ean \ and second aorist subjunctive \eip ˆi \). In case the foot say . {I am not of the body } (\ouk eimi ek tou s “matos \). I am independent of the body , not dependent on the body . {It is not therefore not of the body } (\ou para touto ouk estin ek tou s “matos \). Thinking or saying so does not change the fact . \Para touto \ here means "alongside of this " (cf . IV Macc . strkjv @10:19 ) and so "because of ," a rare use (Robertson , _Grammar_ , p . 616 ). The two negatives (\ou--ouk \) do not here destroy one another . Each retains its full force . rwp @1Corinthians:12:16 @Points explained precisely as in verse 15 |. rwp @1Corinthians:12:17 @{If the whole body were an eye } (\ei holon to s “ma ophthalmos \). The eye is the most wonderful organ and supremely useful (Numbers:10:31 |), the very light of the body (Luke:11:34 |). And yet how grotesque it would be if there were nothing else but a great round rolling eye ! A big "I " surely ! {The smelling } (\h ˆ osphr ˆsis \). Old word from \osphrainomai \, to smell . Here alone in N .T . rwp @1Corinthians:12:18 @{But now } (\nun de \). But as things are , in contrast to that absurdity . {Hath God set } (\ho theos etheto \). Second aorist middle indicative . God did it and of himself . {Even as it pleased him } (\kath “s ˆthel ˆsen \). Why challenge God 's will ? Cf . strkjv @Romans:9:20 |. rwp @1Corinthians:12:19 @{One member } (\hen melos \). Paul applies the logic of verse 17 | to any member of the body . The application to members of the church is obvious . It is particularly pertinent in the case of a "church boss ." rwp @1Corinthians:12:20 @{Many members , but one body } (\polla mel ˆ, hen de s “ma \). The argument in a nutshell , in one epigram . rwp @1Corinthians:12:21 @{Cannot say } (\ou dunatai eipein \). And be truthful . The superior organs need the inferior ones (the eye , the hand , the head , the feet ). rwp @1Corinthians:12:22 @{Nay , much rather } (\alla poll “i mallon \). Adversative sense of \alla \, on the contrary . Songs:far from the more dignified members like the eye and the head being independent of the subordinate ones like the hands and feet , they are "much more " ( _argumentum a fortiori_ , "by much more " \poll “i mallon \, instrumental case ) in need of therm . {Those members of the body which seem to be more feeble are necessary } (\ta dokounta mel ˆ tou s “matos asthenestera huparchein anagkaia estin \). Things are not always what they seem . The vital organs (heart , lungs , liver , kidneys ) are not visible , but life cannot exist without them . rwp @1Corinthians:12:23 @{We bestow } (\peritithemen \). Literally , We place around as if a garland (Mark:15:17 |) or a garment (Matthew:27:28 |). {More abundant comeliness } (\eusch ˆmosun ˆn perissoteran \). One need only mention the mother 's womb and the mother 's breast to see the force of Paul 's argument here . The word , common in old Greek , from \eusch ˆm “n \ (\eu \, well , \sch ˆma \, figure ), here only in N .T . One may think of the coal-miner who digs under the earth for the coal to keep us warm in winter . Songs :\asch ˆm “n \ (deformed , uncomely ), old word , here only in N .T ., but see strkjv @7:36 | for \asch ˆmone “\. rwp @1Corinthians:12:24 @{Tempered the body together } (\sunekerasen to s “ma \). First aorist active indicative of \sunkerannumi \, to mix together , old word , but in N .T . only here and strkjv @Hebrews:4:2 |. Plato used this very word of the way God compounded (\sunekerasato \) the various elements of the body in creating soul and body . Paul rejects the idea of the later Gnostics that matter is evil and the physical organs degrading . He gives a noble picture of the body with its wonderful organs planned to be the temple of God 's Spirit (6:19 |) in opposition to the Epicurean sensualists in Corinth . {To that part which lacked } (\t “i husteroumen “i \). It is a true instinct that gives superior honour to the unseen organs of life . rwp @1Corinthians:12:25 @{That there should be no schism } (\hina m ˆ ˆi schisma \). Purpose of God in his plan for the body . Trouble in one organ affects the whole body . A headache may be due to trouble elsewhere and usually is . {Have the same care } (\to auto merimn “sin \). The very verb \merimna “\ used by Jesus of our anxiety (Matthew:6:27 ,31 |). Paul here personifies the parts of the body as if each one is anxious for the others . The modern knowledge of the billions of cells in the body co-working for the whole confirms Paul 's argument . rwp @1Corinthians:12:26 @{Suffer with it } (\sunpaschei \). Medical term in this sense in Hippocrates and Galen . In N .T only here and strkjv @Romans:8:17 | (of our suffering with Christ ). One of Solon 's Laws allowed retaliation by any one for another 's injuries . Plato ( _Republic_ , V , 462 ) says the body politic "feels the hurt " as the whole body feels a hurt finger . {Rejoice with it } (\sunchairei \). This is fortunately true also . One may tingle with joy all over the body thanks to the wonderful nervous system and to the relation between mind and matter . See strkjv @13:6 | for joy of love with truth . rwp @1Corinthians:12:27 @{Severally } (\ek merous \). See strkjv @Romans:11:25 | \apo merous \ (in part ). Each has his own place and function in the body of Christ . rwp @1Corinthians:12:28 @{God hath set some } (\hous men etheto ho theos \). See verse 18 | for \etheto ho theos \. Note middle voice (for his own use ). Paul begins as if he means to say \hous men apostolous , hous de proph ˆtas \ (some apostles , some prophets ), but he changes the construction and has no \hous de \, but instead \pr “ton , deuteron , epeita \ (first , second , then , etc .). {In the church } (\en t ˆi ekkl ˆsi ƒi \). The general sense of \ekkl ˆsia \ as in strkjv @Matthew:16:18 | and later in strkjv @Colossians:1:18 ,24 ; strkjv @Ephesians:5:23 ,32 ; strkjv @Hebrews:12:23 |. See list also in strkjv @Ephesians:4:11 |. See on ¯Matthew:10:2 | for \apostolous \, the official title given the twelve by Jesus , and claimed by Paul though not one of the twelve . {Prophets } (\proph ˆtas \). For-speakers for God and Christ . See the list of prophets and teachers in strkjv @Acts:13:1 | with Barnabas first and Saul last . Prophets are needed today if men will let God 's Spirit use them , men moved to utter the deep things of God . {Teachers } (\didaskalous \). Old word from \didask “\, to teach . Used to the Baptist (Luke:3:12 |), to Jesus (John:3:10 ; strkjv @13:13 |), and of Paul by himself along with \apostolos \ (1Timothy:2:7 |). It is a calamity when the preacher is no longer a teacher , but only an exhorter . See strkjv @Ephesians:4:11 |. {Then miracles } (\epeita dunameis \). Here a change is made from the concrete to the abstract . See the reverse in strkjv @Romans:12:7 |. See these words (\dunameis , iam ˆt “n , gl “ss “n \) in verses 9 ,10 | with \gl “ss “n \, last again . But these two new terms (helps , governments ). {Helps } (\antil ˆmpseis \). Old word , from \antilambanomai \, to lay hold of . In LXX , common in papyri , here only in N .T . Probably refers to the work of the deacons , help rendered to the poor and the sick . {Governments } (\kubern ˆseis \). Old word from \kuberna “\ (cf . \Kubern ˆt ˆs \ in strkjv @Acts:27:11 |) like Latin _gubernare_ , our govern . Songs:a governing . Probably Paul has in mind bishops (\episcopoi \) or elders (\presbuteroi \), the outstanding leaders (\hoi proistamenoi \ in strkjv @1Thessalonians:5:12 ; strkjv @Romans:12:8 |; \hoi h ˆgoumenoi \ in strkjv @Acts:15:22 ; strkjv @Hebrews:13:7 ,17 ,24 |). Curiously enough , these two offices (pastors and deacons ) which are not named specifically are the two that survive today . See strkjv @Phillipians:1:1 | for both officers . rwp @1Corinthians:12:29 @{Are all } (\m ˆ pantes \). The \m ˆ\ expects a negative answer with each group . rwp @1Corinthians:12:30 @{Do all interpret ?} (\m ˆ pantes dierm ˆneuousin ?\). He adds this query to the list in 28 |, but it is in 10 |. rwp @1Corinthians:12:31 @{The greater gifts } (\ta charismata ta meizona \). Paul unhesitatingly ranks some spiritual gifts above others . \Z ˆlo “\ here has good sense , not that of envy as in strkjv @Acts:7:9 ; strkjv @1Corinthians:13:4 |. {And a still more excellent way } (\kai eti kath ' huperbol ˆn hodon \). In order to gain the greater gifts . "I show you a way _par excellence_ ," beyond all comparison (superlative idea in this adjunct , not comparative ), like \kath ' huperbol ˆn eis huperbol ˆn \ (2Corinthians:4:17 |). \Huperbol ˆ\ is old word from \huperball “\, to throw beyond , to surpass , to excel (2Corinthians:3:10 ; strkjv @Ephesians:1:19 |). "I show you a supremely excellent way ." Chapter strkjv @1Corinthians:13 | is this way , the way of love already laid down in strkjv @8:1 | concerning the question of meats offered to idols (cf . strkjv @1John:4:7 |). Poor division of chapters here . This verse belongs with chapter strkjv @1Corinthians:13 |.

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