1 Corinthians 12:25-31

Division Is Undesirable

Clearly, the facts Paul presented proved God created the body in such a way that division is undesirable. Every member of the physical body feels for the other members. If one member suffers, the whole body feels pain. Anyone who has ever smashed his thumb or stubbed his toe knows what Paul is saying. He can feel the hurt and a sickness in his stomach, though it was his thumb that was smashed! What is good for one member of the body sends blessings to all. Most of us have heard an athlete say winning the big game made him, or her, forget all about the aching muscles (1 Corinthians 12:25-26).

Paul said the church at Corinth was Christ's body. Each member had a job to be done. He then repeated the spiritual gifts list giving the order of recipients. The apostles were inspired messengers of God. Prophets were inspired to reveal God's will in a more limited way. Teachers took the revealed word and explained it to other Christians. Miracles and healings were used to show the messenger was from God and to punish the wicked. "Helps" describes those who saw others' needs and sought to provide for them. "Administrations" was a description for church leaders and those able to counsel the weak. Note that tongues and the ability to interpret them rank last in both lists (1 Corinthians 12:27-28).

Paul had demonstrated that positions and duties in the body of Christ are as varied as in the physical body. All positions are needed. If the Corinthian brethren wanted greater gifts, the apostle said they would have to desire them and strive to be worthy of them. Yet, he said there was a way that was even greater than gifts. That was the way of love which he wrote about next (1 Corinthians 12:29-31).