Unity and Diversity in the Body: 1 Corinthians 12:11-13
November 24, 2024 Preacher: Bob DeWaay Series: 1 Corinthians
Scripture: 1 Corinthians 12:11-13
This sermon explains Paul’s use of the body metaphor to teach the unity and diversity of the gathered church. The key to understanding this section is identifying Paul’s use of repeated terms and themes.
These include the juxtaposition of “the same” and “varieties” in the context of “each one.” Every member of the body of Christ is gifted by the triune God for the common God. The work of God to make the body one is by “one Spirit.”
We strongly oppose any special second blessing doctrine which would create a two tiered congregation made up of greater and more gifted members and lesser ones. Such a claim is in direct opposition to what Paul teaches in these verses.
We review 1 Corinthians 3:1 where many miss Paul’s use of irony and propose a scheme of the spiritual Christians and the Carnal Christians.
This erroneous reading of the verse goes against the very unity of the body of Christ with various gifts for the common good which Paul teaches throughout 1 Corinthians. Elitism is the problem in Corinth and is not a valid interpretation of the purpose of God-given gifts.
More in 1 Corinthians
January 26, 2025
Not All Christians Have the Same Gift: 1 Corinthians 12:28d-31January 19, 2025
God Sets Gifted Persons in the Church: 1 Corinthians 12:27-28cDecember 29, 2024
Mutual Importance and Dependence Within the Body: 1 Cor. 12:21-26