Thursday 22 May 2025
Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it. (v. 27)
Background
In this passage Paul continues his theme from yesterday's reading ( 1 Corinthians 12:12-26) that Christians are given different gifts and all of these combine for the building up of the body of Christ.
However in today's passage, Paul notes the need for certain functions or offices, which he names – apostles, prophets, teachers and more. There are two other similar lists that Paul gives in his letter to the Romans and the letter to the Ephesians but these lists diverge. There is some overlap but not completely. This may indicate that Paul thought that different groups of Christians might require different offices or jobs to be filled.
Did Paul think that there are a few fixed points that are necessary for the good ordering of the community but others could be flexible according to context? What he was sure of was that not all the gifts are given to everyone and thus collaborative working of individual Christians is vital to the life of the Church.
Some commentators express the opinion that the words of verse 27 should be engraved on the minds and hearts of all Christians as it is basic to a true understanding of the Church, where all should exercise their gifts in humble service.
To Ponder:
- John Wesley and the early Methodists organised their communities with many offices to be filled to ensure the proper functioning of these early Societies, as they were called. Over the years there have been changes to these offices. Do you think that the current offices (such as presbyters, deacons, local preachers, etc) are appropriate for our time and context? If not, what changes would you make?
- In theory, if not always in practice, there is a six-year rule in Methodism which aims to ensure that roles and offices, such as being a church steward, are shared over time and not monopolised. Do you think this is a good idea?
Prayer
Almighty God, we thank you for our ancestors in faith who through their dedication passed on the faith down the generations even to us. Give us grace to acknowledge our own gifts, to offer them for the building up of God’s people and to seek out the gifts of others so that all may feel themselves fully part of the body of Christ. Amen.
Bible notes author: The Revd Jennifer Potter
Jennifer is a supernumerary minister living in the Croydon Circuit. She works as a part-time chaplain at the local MHA (Methodist Home for the Aged). She was previously a minister at Wesley’s Chapel in London.