1 Corinthians 12
But God has put the body together, giving greater honor to the parts that lacked it, 25 so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other. 26 If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it.
He envisions not just the tolerance of differences within the community but a gracious and compassionate synergy in which all the members share one another’s sorrows and joys. Here again the body metaphor serves his hortatory purpose well; everyone knows a pain in the ankle or finger can absorb the entire body’s energy and attention. That, Paul contends, is how things are in the church. He does not speak of what should be, but of what is: The body really is diminished and pained by the suffering of any of its members. The same principle applies also to the honor shown anyone member: the body really does celebrate it together. In view of the way Paul has spoken of giving honor to “the inferior member” in verses 23– 24, the last sentence of this unit should also be read as an implicit exhortation: The more obviously honored members of the church should rejoice in showing honor to the less honorable. [Hays, Interpretation of 1 Corinthians, 216]
Today let’s share in one another’s joys and sorrows. Let’s pray for specific individuals within your ministry group that you sense are in need of the Spirit’s presence and healing. Listen and worship and pray with the song “I am not alone” (click here) by Kari Jobe.
-GK
