NOW CONCERNING SPIRITUAL GIFTS (περ δε των πνευματικων). Clearly one of the items asked about in the letter to Paul (1 Corinthians 7:1) and introduced precisely as the problem of meats offered to idols (1 Corinthians 8:1). This question runs to the end of chapter 14. Plainly much trouble had aris... [ Continue Reading ]
YE WERE LED AWAY (απαγομενο). The copula ητε is not expressed (common ellipsis) with the participle (periphrastic imperfect passive), but it has to be supplied to make sense. Some scholars would change οτε (when) to ποτε (once) and so remove the difficulty.UNTO THOSE DUMB IDOLS (προς τα ειδωλα... [ Continue Reading ]
WHEREFORE I GIVE YOU TO UNDERSTAND (διο γνωριζω υμιν). Causative idea (only in Aeschylus in old Greek) in papyri (also in sense of recognize) and N.T., from root γνω in γινωσκω, to know.SPEAKING IN THE SPIRIT OF GOD (εν πνευματ θεου λαλων). Either sphere or instrumentality. No great distinction... [ Continue Reading ]
DIVERSITIES (διαιρεσεις). Old word for distinctions, differences, distributions, from διαιρεω, to distribute, as διαιρουν (dividing, distributing) in verse 1 Corinthians 12:11. Only here in the N.T.OF GIFTS (χαρισματων). Late word and chiefly in Paul (cf. Romans 12:6) in N.T. (except 1 Peter 4:... [ Continue Reading ]
OF MINISTRATIONS (διακονιων). This old word is from διακονος and has a general meaning of service as here (Romans 11:13) and a special ministration like that of Martha (Luke 10:40) and the collection (1 Corinthians 16:15; 2 Corinthians 8:4).... [ Continue Reading ]
OF WORKINGS (ενεργηματων). Late word, here only in N.T., the effect of a thing wrought (from ενεργεω, to operate, perform, energize). Paul uses also the late kindred word ενεργεια (Colossians 1:29; Colossians 2:12) for efficiency.WHO WORKETH ALL THINGS IN ALL (ο ενεργων τα παντα εν πασιν). Paul... [ Continue Reading ]
MANIFESTATION (φανερωσις). Late word, in papyri, in N.T. only here and 2 Corinthians 4:2, from φανεροω, to make manifest (φανερος). Each instance of the whole (verse 1 Corinthians 12:6) is repeatedly given (διδοτα, present passive indicative of διδωμ).TO PROFIT WITHAL (προς το συμφερον). See on... [ Continue Reading ]
TO ONE (ω μεν). Demonstrative ος with μεν in dative case, to this one. The distribution or correlation is carried on by αλλω δε (verses 1 Corinthians 12:8; 1 Corinthians 12:9; 1 Corinthians 12:10), ετερω δε (verses 1 Corinthians 12:9; 1 Corinthians 12:10) for variety, nine manifestations of the S... [ Continue Reading ]
FAITH (πιστις). Not faith of surrender, saving faith, but wonder-working faith like that in 1 Corinthians 13:2 (Matthew 17:20; Matthew 21:21). Note here εν τω αυτω πνευματ (in the same Spirit) in contrast with δια and κατα in verse 1 Corinthians 12:8.GIFTS OF HEALINGS (χαρισματα ιαματων). Ιαμα,... [ Continue Reading ]
WORKINGS OF MIRACLES (ενεργηματα δυναμεων). Workings of powers. Cf. ενεργων δυναμεις in Galatians 3:5; Hebrews 2:4 where all three words are used (σημεια, signs, τερατα, wonders, δυναμεις, powers). Some of the miracles were not healings as the blindness on Elymas the sorcerer.PROPHECY (προφητει... [ Continue Reading ]
WORKETH (ενεργε). The same word that was used in verse 1 Corinthians 12:6 of God.SEVERALLY (ιδια). Separately.EVEN AS HE WILL (καθως βουλετα). Hence there is no occasion for conceit, pride, or faction (1 Corinthians 4:7).... [ Continue Reading ]
SO ALSO IS CHRIST (ουτως κα ο Χριστος). One would naturally expect Paul here to say ουτως κα το σωμα του Χριστου (so also is the body of Christ). He will later call Christ the Head of the Body the Church as in Colossians 1:18; Colossians 1:24; Ephesians 5:23; Ephesians 5:30. Aristotle had used σωμ... [ Continue Reading ]
WERE WE ALL BAPTIZED INTO ONE BODY (ημεις παντες εις εν σωμα εβαπτισθημεν). First aorist passive indicative of βαπτιζω and so a reference to a definite past event with each of them of different races, nations, classes, when each of them put on the outward badge of service to Christ, the symbol of... [ Continue Reading ]
IS NOT ONE MEMBER (ουκ εστιν εν μελος). The point sounds like a truism, but it is the key to the whole problem of church life both local and general. Vincent refers to the fable of the body and the members by Menenius Agrippa (Livy, II, 32), but it was an old parable. Socrates pointed out how abs... [ Continue Reading ]
IF THE FOOT SHALL SAY (εαν ειπη ο πους). Condition of third class (εαν and second aorist subjunctive ειπη). In case the foot say.I AM NOT OF THE BODY (ουκ ειμ εκ του σωματος). I am independent of the body, not dependent on the body.IT IS NOT THEREFORE NOT OF THE BODY (ου παρα τουτο ουκ εστιν... [ Continue Reading ]
Points explained precisely as in verse 1 Corinthians 12:15.... [ Continue Reading ]
IF THE WHOLE BODY WERE AN EYE (ε ολον το σωμα οφθαλμος). The eye is the most wonderful organ and supremely useful (Numbers 10:31), the very light of the body (Luke 11:34). And yet how grotesque it would be if there were nothing else but a great round rolling eye! A big "I" surely!THE SMELLING ... [ Continue Reading ]
BUT NOW (νυν δε). But as things are, in contrast to that absurdity.HATH GOD SET (ο θεος εθετο). Second aorist middle indicative. God did it and of himself.EVEN AS IT PLEASED HIM (καθως ηθελησεν). Why challenge God's will? Cf. Romans 9:20.... [ Continue Reading ]
ONE MEMBER (εν μελος). Paul applies the logic of verse 1 Corinthians 12:17 to any member of the body. The application to members of the church is obvious. It is particularly pertinent in the case of a "church boss.... [ Continue Reading ]
MANY MEMBERS, BUT ONE BODY (πολλα μελη, εν δε σωμα). The argument in a nutshell, in one epigram.... [ Continue Reading ]
CANNOT SAY (ου δυνατα ειπειν). And be truthful. The superior organs need the inferior ones (the eye, the hand, the head, the feet).... [ Continue Reading ]
NAY, MUCH RATHER (αλλα πολλω μαλλον). Adversative sense of αλλα, on the contrary. So far from the more dignified members like the eye and the head being independent of the subordinate ones like the hands and feet, they are "much more" (_argumentum a fortiori_, "by much more" πολλω μαλλον, instrum... [ Continue Reading ]
WE BESTOW (περιτιθεμεν). Literally, We place around as if a garland (Mark 15:17) or a garment (Matthew 27:28).MORE ABUNDANT COMELINESS (ευσχημοσυνην περισσοτεραν). One need only mention the mother's womb and the mother's breast to see the force of Paul's argument here. The word, common in old G... [ Continue Reading ]
TEMPERED THE BODY TOGETHER (συνεκερασεν το σωμα). First aorist active indicative of συνκεραννυμ, to mix together, old word, but in N.T. only here and Hebrews 4:2. Plato used this very word of the way God compounded (συνεκερασατο) the various elements of the body in creating soul and body. Paul re... [ Continue Reading ]
THAT THERE SHOULD BE NO SCHISM (ινα μη η σχισμα). Purpose of God in his plan for the body. Trouble in one organ affects the whole body. A headache may be due to trouble elsewhere and usually is.HAVE THE SAME CARE (το αυτο μεριμνωσιν). The very verb μεριμναω used by Jesus of our anxiety (Matthew... [ Continue Reading ]
SUFFER WITH IT (συνπασχε). Medical term in this sense in Hippocrates and Galen. In N.T only here and Romans 8:17 (of our suffering with Christ). One of Solon's Laws allowed retaliation by any one for another's injuries. Plato (_Republic_, V, 462) says the body politic "feels the hurt" as the whol... [ Continue Reading ]
SEVERALLY (εκ μερους). See Romans 11:25 απο μερους (in part). Each has his own place and function in the body of Christ.... [ Continue Reading ]
GOD HATH SET SOME (ους μεν εθετο ο θεος). See verse 1 Corinthians 12:18 for εθετο ο θεος. Note middle voice (for his own use). Paul begins as if he means to say ους μεν αποστολουσ, ους δε προφητας (some apostles, some prophets), but he changes the construction and has no ους δε, but instead πρωτο... [ Continue Reading ]
ARE ALL (μη παντες). The μη expects a negative answer with each group.... [ Continue Reading ]
DO ALL INTERPRET? (μη παντες διερμηνευουσιν?). He adds this query to the list in 1 Corinthians 12:28, but it is in 1 Corinthians 12:10.... [ Continue Reading ]
THE GREATER GIFTS (τα χαρισματα τα μειζονα). Paul unhesitatingly ranks some spiritual gifts above others. Ζηλοω here has good sense, not that of envy as in Acts 7:9; 1 Corinthians 13:4.AND A STILL MORE EXCELLENT WAY (κα ετ καθ' υπερβολην οδον). In order to gain the greater gifts. "I show you a w... [ Continue Reading ]