Transcript

Our Gifts, Whose Call?

1 Corinthians 12:31
Sunday, March 4, 2007
Pastor Randy Smith

Our current short series is entitled serving in the church. Our target of study is 1 Corinthians 12. Last week we covered verses 1-11. Waiting for us this week are verses 12-27, the well-known, powerful metaphor that compares the human body to the body of Christ. I can't wait to preach on that text, but also waiting for us today is the parade and the Lord's Table.

Therefore not wanting to rush through this passage and looking for a way to commemorate our final Sunday school on Bible Study, I have chosen to put that text on hold for one week. This morning I'd like to share a brief message on an often-misinterpreted verse in chapter 12 demonstrating the techniques we have learned the past two months in Sunday school.

The specific text I am speaking of is the final verse in 1 Corinthians 12. As it is stated in my Bible, the beginning of verse 31 reads, "But earnestly desire the greater gifts."

Commonly this verse is used by many to justify seeking the spiritual gifts of our desire. Specifically, I have heard it said we are permitted, even commanded, to seek the "greater gifts" which are often believed to be the sign or miraculous gifts.

This morning in our abbreviated sermon, I would like to show you from the Scriptures why I believe that interpretation is incorrect. I will also attempt to present an accurate interpretation and the application for us today as we head into Communion.

1. A CONTEXTUAL EXAMINATION

Let's begin with a contextual examination. During our Sunday school study a point I emphasized over and over was that Scripture must be interpreted within its context. Verses should be seen as connecting "links on a chain," not individual "pearls on a string." When we pull a verse out of context, we can make it say anything we want. Out of context interpretation ignores the author's pattern of thought and enters the birthplace of heresy. Remember, when studying the Bible, "Context is King!"

So what is the context of 1 Corinthians 12:31?

Distant (1 Cor. 1-16)

First we will look at the distant context, which includes the overall themes presented throughout this letter. As we read chapters 1-16 we immediately understand that this epistle is a letter of correction. As we learned last week, there are no compliments given and the problems of this Corinthian church are seen in every chapter.

Overall, the Corinthian church was boastful, filled with pride and engaged in self-exaltation. They even had the audacity to believe they were better than the Apostle Paul to which he sarcastically said, "You are already filled, you have already become rich, you have become kings without us; and indeed, I wish that you had become kings so that we also might reign with you" (1 Cor. 4:8; cf. 4:9-10).

Their actions were self-centered. They sought to meet their own needs regardless of how their deeds impacted others in the church. Their selfishness was clearly witnessed in their pursuit of lawsuits (ch. 6) and divorces (ch. 7) amongst themselves and seen in the way they approached their Christian freedom (ch. 8), their sexual life (ch. 6-7) and the Lord's Table (ch. 11).

In a nutshell, according to Paul, they were spiritual babies. "And I, brethren, could not speak to you as to spiritual men, but as to men of flesh, as to infants in Christ. I gave you milk to drink, not solid food; for you were not yet able to receive it. Indeed, even now you are not yet able" (1 Cor. 3:1-2).

Local (1 Cor. 12-14)

Next it is important that we study the local context. The local context of 12:31 is chapters 12-14. This is one enclosed unit within this letter and this unit deals specifically with spiritual gifts and the improper way they were being used in this church. Listen to verse 1: "Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I do not want you to be unaware" (1 Cor. 12:1).

The context of this unit is also further established in the following two introductory verses. In verse 2 Paul refers to the ways they were led as pagans before they came to Christ. We must remember that these believers in Corinth were all first generation Christians. They came from a pagan background commonly identified as the "mystery religions" that worshipped idols and engaged in all types ecstatic euphoria and sensual expression considered at the time to be the highest forms of religious worship (there's a brief historical examination by the way).

These pagan actions were entering their worship services and all order and discernment was being tossed out the window for the sake of self-exaltation. It was so awful that verse 3 indicates that people were cursing Christ and attributing such actions to the Holy Spirit.

The remainder of chapter 12 teaches the diversity of spiritual gifts available and stresses the importance of every gift and the need to use them in harmony as illustrated in the popular body metaphor in verses 12-27. All parts are equally important and all parts must contribute in order for the human body to function. The church body is no different.

We must remember that spiritual gifts are given for the "common good" of the church (12:7). They are never given for our own personal edification. That was the problem the selfish Corinthians were making. They were minimizing the other gifts and seeking after the showy ones, especially tongues. If anything Paul devalues the gift of tongues over teaching the Word (14:18-19), mentions it last on all of his gift lists (12:10, 28, 29) and says that one day it will cease (13:8).

And I am still waiting for the day when a whole movement is based on seeking the gift of helps or the gift of giving! If everybody like the Corinthians sought the showy gifts, who would stuff the 4,000 evangelistic packets we needed today, manage the finances or take out the garbage? How would the body metaphor hold up? Why would Paul command them to seek only certain gifts?

Paul devoted all of chapter 14 to show specifically how this church approached the issue of spiritual gifts. As we see throughout the letter, their actions came forth from their own immaturity (cf. 13:11-12; 14:20). They were: destroying their testimony to unbelievers (14:23), walking over others (14:26-28), failing to edify the church (14:12), devaluing preaching (14:18-19), elevating the showy gifts (14:1-5), engaging mindless activity (1 Cor. 14:14-15), accomplishing nothing (14:7-11), creating an environment of chaos (14:40) and basically, as Paul said, returning to their pagan roots (12:2).

So overall in chapter 14, Paul calls them not to seek after a gift (that was dividing them), but to seek after edification. That word "edify" (or its related forms) occurs eleven times in the Bible. Seven of them are found right here in 1 Corinthians 14 (verses 3, 4 (twice), 5, 12, 17, 26).

Now, are we surprised to see chapter 13 on love sandwiched in-between chapters 12 and 14 (cf. Eph. 4:16)? Paul's awesome manifesto on love is given because this church was approaching spiritual gifts in a way that was very unloving. They were dividing the body, minimizing truth and exalting themselves - there is not much more unloving than that!

So in verses 1-3 of chapter 13, Paul basically says using exaggeration, "I don't care what you claim to do. Without love, all of it is nothing!"

Taking into account the Corinthian church, let's consider the description of love in verses 4-7 within its context of gifts:

• Patient people forbear and accept others when they don't conform to our personal standards.
• Kind people don't believe they've arrived and others haven't because of their spiritual gifts.
• People who do not envy are thankful for their gifts and do not covet what others have.
• People who do not brag forsake spiritual pride realizing all they have comes directly from the Lord.
• People who are not arrogant avoid an elitist mentality and humbly use their gifts to contribute to the common good.
• People who are not rude avoid disrupting the worship services by diverting attention away from God and creating a "look at me" mentality.

I think you get the point... These were the exact problems in the Corinthian church.

Immediate(1 Cor. 12:31)

We have looked at the distant and local context. How about the immediate context of 12:31? What light will that shed on our interpretation? Here is the verse again (as it reads in my Bible): "But earnestly desire the greater gifts. And I show you a still more excellent way."

Looking backward, Paul just rebuked the church for elevating the showing gifts. Why would he now exhort them to seek them? Paul just told the church in the body metaphor (verses 12-27) that all the gifts are necessary and equally important. Why would he now command them to desire the so-called "greater gifts" as the Corinthians defined them - those that were eye-catching and bestowed the highest status? And just before verse 31, Paul made it clear in verses 29-30 that all do not have the same gift. Again, why would Paul command all of them to seek a certain gift when he just got done telling the church all do not have the same gifts?

Looking forward, the following verse after 12:31 is 13:1 (there were no chapter or verse breaks in the original text). Chapter 12, verse 31 is transitional to chapter 13 on love. As this whole letter has been one of rebuke, Paul after pointing out the wrong nature of their seeking now as a good teacher shows them what they should be seeking. Seeking after the "greater gifts" was dividing this church. It was creating a competitive spirit. It was veering them off course. Yet seeking after love (chapter 13) is the necessary ingredient to bind these people together. Love would keep their eyes on the Lord and others (the two greatest commandments) and allow them to exercise their gifts in the right context.

Love is the dominant fruit of the Holy Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23). Love is the greatest indicator that we are filled with the Spirit. Love is not a greater gift nor a replacement for the gifts, but love unlike the specific gifts, is universal, a path all of those in Christ can and must travel. Gifts are important, but love must be the church's defining mark!

2. A GRAMMATICAL EXAMINATION

I wish I could say more, but we need move on in our study. We looked at a contextual and brief historical examination. Let's go to the second point and examine this verse grammatically. Flashbacks to high school English class! Don't sweat it out - this will be brief!

The Greek verb that we translate "desire" in 12:31 is zeloo. It is where we get our English word "zealot." It is used negatively in Scripture (Jas. 4:2 - "envious"). Four verses later, right here in 13:4 we read that love is not zeloo, or "jealous." But of its 10 occurrences in Scripture, it does also carry some positive overtones as well (1 Cor. 14:1; 2 Cor. 11:2), so this study was not conclusive.

Yet another grammatical study was very valuable. The mood of this verb zeloo can be translated either as an imperative (a command) or an indicative (a statement of fact). For example, the imperative: "But earnestly desire the greater gifts" or the indicative: "But you earnestly desire the greater gifts." Since both are grammatically acceptable, we must allow context to guide our decision. And based on all we have said, I believe that decision is clear. After Paul rebuked the church, he is not calling for them to seek what they feel are the greater gifts. Why would he command them to do something they are already doing, and doing incorrectly? On the contrary he is making a statement of fact in the continuation of his rebuke. "But you are seeking the showing gifts!" By the way this is the alternative reading in the NIV translation ("But you are eagerly desiring the greater gifts").

And this translation retains the logical and rhetorical force with the remainder of verse 31. Put both halves together: "But you are seeking the showy gifts. I will show you a more excellent way." What a perfect transition into love, the "more excellent way" starting with the next verse in chapter 13!

3. A THEOLOGICAL EXAMINATION

Lastly, as we move to the third point, what about a theological examination? In other words, what does the Bible teach us elsewhere regarding the nature of spiritual gifts?

Right here in 1 Corinthians six verses need to be considered.

In chapter 1, verses 5 and 7, Paul tells the church "in everything you were enriched in (Christ) and "you are not lacking in any gift." If the church is not lacking any gift, why would they be called to seek them?

In chapter 12, verse 13, Paul said. "For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body." This verse is spoken right in the context of the body metaphor. If all the Corinthians were baptized in the same spiritual body, isn't it safe to say they have already been given gifts, or we could say, identified as body parts to mutually contribute to the whole?

And in chapter 12, verse 11, Paul said, "But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually just as He wills" (cf. Heb. 2:4). Should we be seeking gifts when this verse teaches the Holy Spirit distributes them as He wills? As the sermon title indicates, "Our Gifts, Whose Call?" My friends, God does not line His gifts up like toys at a flea market for us to pick and choose. Listen to verse 29, "And God has appointed in the church." Listen to verse 18, "But now God has placed the members, each one of them, in the body, just as He desired" (1 Cor. 12:18; cf. 12:28a).

So in conclusion we ask - Is Paul calling us the Corinthian church and us to seek after the so-called "greater gifts?"

• Would not the body metaphor break down if we place a priority on one gift over another?
• Would not the same metaphor break down if we all sought after the same gift?
• How would the diversity of ministry be accomplished if everyone wanted the same gift?
• Wasn't this church already rebuked for seeking only the showy gifts?
• Wouldn't this just encourage them to continue in the competitive status in which they were reproved?
• Didn't this church already take too much credit for what God gives ("What do you have that you did not receive? And if you did receive it, why do you boast as if you had not received it? - 1 Cor. 4:7).
• Didn't Paul make it clear that not all have the same gift?
• Shouldn't we be thankful for the gifts God's given us and appreciate the gifts of others?
• Is it not wiser to allow God to determine how He wishes to use us in His church?
• Is there even one example in Scripture where people prayed or fasted to receive a spiritual gift? Even the coming of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost came as a sovereign act of God (Ac. 1:4).

Beloved I am persuaded, that God gives us all a diverse blend of spiritual gifts the moment we trust Christ and are spiritually baptized into His body. We should not make it our life ambition to covet the gifts of others, but rather appreciate all the gifts and be thankful for the ones we have been given by a wise Creator, trusting He knows what is best for His church. Our goal should be to identify the gifts we have been given, develop them and use them not for self-edification, but for the good of the church and the glory of God. And remember, spiritual gifts are not an indication of spiritual maturity. But how we use our gifts in the overarching context of love definitely is.