CHAPTER 12 SYNOPSIS OF THE CHAPTER In this and the two following Chapter s S. Paul discusses Christian gifts and graces. In this chapter he points out I. That gifts are variously distributed by the Holy Spirit. II. To show this he draws an illustration from the human body, which, though it is on... [ Continue Reading ]
_I would not have you ignorant._ And therefore he proceeds to give them teaching about them.... [ Continue Reading ]
_Ye know that ye were Gentiles_, &c. You were led like slaves, by custom, by the institutions of your ancestors, by religious tradition, and by diabolic agency to these dumb idols. For the Hebraism in the employment of the participle instead of the finite verb, cf. Rom. xi1 11. Remember, he says, 0... [ Continue Reading ]
_Wherefore... no man_... _calleth Jesus accursed_. The "wherefore" shows this verse to be a conclusion from the preceding, and explains it. I have reminded you, he says, of your previous condition as Gentiles, and of your dumb idols, in order that you may appreciate duly the greatness of your callin... [ Continue Reading ]
_Now there are diversities of gifts._ One grace is given to one, another to another, but they all proceed from the same Spirit. VER. 5. _And there are differences of administrations_. There are different kinds of sacred ministries distributed by the same Lord, from whom as God and through whom as ma... [ Continue Reading ]
_And there are diversities of operations_, &c. Observe 1. that the Apostle assigns gifts to the Holy Spirit, the fount of goodness; ministries to the Son, as Lord; operations to the Father, as the first beginning of all things. So Theophylact and Anselm. 2. The gifts here spoken of are what are som... [ Continue Reading ]
_But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal._ The gift given by the Holy Spirit, and by which He is manifested, is given for the benefit of the Church, not of the individual... [ Continue Reading ]
_To one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom._ The power of explaining wisdom, viz., the deepest mysteries of the Trinity, of the Incarnation, of predestination, &c. Cf. chap. xiii. _To another the word of knowledge._ The power of explaining the things pertaining to life and morals. S. Augusti... [ Continue Reading ]
_To another by the same Spirit._ 1. S. Paul does not mean here the theological faith which all Christians have, but that transcendent faith, including the theological, which is the mother of miracles. It consists above all things in a constant confidence in God for obtaining anything and for working... [ Continue Reading ]
_Dividing to every man severally as He will._ Dividing to each one individually his own gifts and graces. Cf. S. Jerome (_contra Pelag._ dial. 1). Origen understood "as He will" to refer to each several man. It refers, of course, to the Holy Spirit. 1. Hence, as Theophylact says, the Holy Spirit is... [ Continue Reading ]
_For as the body is one._. _. so also is Christ._ As an animal body is one, as a man has but one body, so also has Christ one body, the Church, the members of which are many, whose head He is. 1. But S. Augustine objects (_de Peccat. Meritis_, lib. i. c. 31) that if the Apostle had meant this he wo... [ Continue Reading ]
_For by one Spirit are we all baptized._ He proves that Christ is one body with many members from baptism, for by baptism we were regenerate, and incorporated into the one body of the Church, and therefore into Christ. In that body we live by the same Spirit, the Spirit of Christ; and on the same fo... [ Continue Reading ]
_Nay, much more those members of the body, which seem to be more feeble, are necessary._ S. Chrysostom and Theophylact think that this refers to the eyes, which are small and delicate but yet most necessary. But as the eyes have been included in the preceding verse amongst the nobler members which g... [ Continue Reading ]
_For our comely parts have no need._ The eyes, the face, and the hands, which are the more comely parts of the body, lack no ornament, but are comely enough in themselves. _Having given more abundant honour to that part which lacked._ That is more careful guard, more clothing, and ornament. Cf. ver... [ Continue Reading ]
_That there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another._ No schism, such as that related by Menenius, but that all should have the same care for the others as for themselves, or else it may mean that each member should be solicitous for the common... [ Continue Reading ]
. _Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular._ The Latin version gives "members of the member." This is explained (1.) by S. Thomas: "You are members of the principal member, viz., Christ, for Christ is the head of the Church;" (2.) by S. Anselm, "You are members of Christ through the... [ Continue Reading ]
_Are all apostles?_ Certainly not. Let each, therefore, be content with the position in which God has placed him in the Church, and with the grace that he has freely received from God, and thank God for all, and use the grace given him to God's glory and the good of the Church. Ver. 30 _Have all the... [ Continue Reading ]
_But covet earnestly the best gifts._ Seek from God, and exercise, if you have received them (cf. notes to ver. 8), the more useful gifts, such as apostleship, prophecy, wisdom, but not such as the gift of tongues, which you are in the habit of seeking after and of priding yourselves in. So Anselm.... [ Continue Reading ]