King James Bible Study – [And when he had called the people unto him with his disciples also, he said unto them, Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. – Mark 8:34]
Date: Wednesday, December 03, 2025
Chapters: I Corinthians 12-14
Message: I Corinthians: The Body of Christ
Hello My Friend,
As we continue in the reading of I Corinthians, we learn that Christ’s Church is made up of congregations or likeminded saved Christians who come together to edify, meaning build up the Church until Christ returns, [1 Corinthians 12:12-13 For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ. 13 For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.]
We also learn of the roles within the Church and that it does not matter what we do, showing the love of Christ supersedes any of it, [1 Corinthians 13:4-5 Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, 5 Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil;]
I was looking at my devotional from a couple of years ago and found where I talked about my new job. This was right after my mother had her first stroke and I was trying to find a job that did not tie me down to a desk. I chalk it up as being just another notch on what my husband calls a jack of all trades but master of none. It is incredible, for the past nine years I only lasted about two years at one job when all I ever wanted was a position I could retire from. I know I keep talking about working for myself again, which I did for several years and God blessed me in so many ways. The truth is that in 2016 I got scared and discouraged so took the first secular job I could get and it just spiraled down to where I am today. It is a funny thing in that God will still bless you when you are not in His will, he will make use of every situation. Think Jacob and him working fourteen years to marry his beloved Rachel, [Genesis 29:18-28].
The reason I bring this up is because while we are not always in God’s will He never gives up on us and will use every situation for good, [Romans 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.].
I am in tears as I write this because He knows that if I need to hear this so do you. We are no different than the other faithful men and women of God written in His Word to give us these examples. Yesterday we learned from Paul how Christians are to present themselves, today Paul discusses the roles of Christians as well as their place in the Church. He begins by saying that we are one diverse body of Christ who are given spiritual gifts that are all driven by the Holy Spirit.
[1 Corinthians 12:1-6 Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I would not have you ignorant. 2 Ye know that ye were Gentiles, carried away unto these dumb idols, even as ye were led. 3 Wherefore I give you to understand, that no man speaking by the Spirit of God calleth Jesus accursed: and that no man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost. 4 Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. 5 And there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord. 6 And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all.]
Now, this is what you call true diversity! Not this garbage about what gender, race, color of skin, or sexual orientation you are. Saved, born again Christians are a true melting pot of men and women of different positions from within and out of the church, including doctors and lawyers. Paul, goes on to describe the diversity of the spiritual gifts that one is given by the Holy Spirit
[1 Corinthians 12:7-11 But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal. 8 For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit; 9 To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit; 10 To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues: 11 But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will.]
Wow! In other words, faith is the substance that brings us to God while the evidence of our faith is revealed through the use of the spiritual gifts that we are given by Him for the purpose that He has given them. All saved, born again Christians are given at least one of these spiritual gifts. Wisdom, grants the ability for individuals to become lawyers, judges, and government officials. Knowledge, grants individuals the ability to become teachers, scholars, and legislators. Healing, grants individuals the ability to become doctors, psychologists, and psychiatrists. The working of miracles grants individuals ability to become true scientists. Prophecy, grants individuals the ability to minister the Gospel, while discerning of the spirits grants individuals the ability to know the truth from lies. Having divers of tongues grants individuals the ability to speak several languages, while interpreting tongues grants individuals the ability to translate in other languages. Paul, goes on to explain this and how everything we do affects one another.
[1 Corinthians 12:14-18,21 For the body is not one member, but many. 15 If the foot shall say, Because I am not the hand, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body? 16 And if the ear shall say, Because I am not the eye, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body? 17 If the whole body were an eye, where were the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where were the smelling? 18 But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him. 21 And the eye cannot say unto the hand, I have no need of thee: nor again the head to the feet, I have no need of you.]
If we want the power of the Holy Spirit to shine through us, then we need to listen to Him, as He really does know what He is talking about. While some of us have different abilities than others, it is actually the least of the members that make the biggest impact. What do I mean by that? Never underestimate the black sheep, the least likely to succeed, the ones with the lowest scores, the ones who might not look like much. Let me tell you, faith can only do so much, we can move mountains by our faith, but if we do not have love as Christ loves, not of that will make a difference in our lives.
[1 Corinthians 12:22-25 Nay, much more those members of the body, which seem to be more feeble, are necessary: 23 And those members of the body, which we think to be less honourable, upon these we bestow more abundant honour; and our uncomely parts have more abundant comeliness. 24 For our comely parts have no need: but God hath tempered the body together, having given more abundant honour to that part which lacked: 25 That there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another.]
[Schism; Division or separation.]. We often wonder why the least qualified end up being chosen to do the most work. Well, here is your answer, God does not choose the qualified, He qualifies those whom He chooses. I love this, it reminds me of my brother who passed away years ago, who had a learning disability. I did not really give my brother a lot of credit for his abilities through his infirmities until after he passed away. We are all in this together so rather than look down on each other for gifts that they or we may have that differ we need to praise god that they are with us. Paul, goes on to say how as a body we all suffer when one suffers.
[1 Corinthians 12:26-27,29-31 And whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it; or one member be honoured, all the members rejoice with it. 27 Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular. 29 Are all apostles? are all prophets? are all teachers? are all workers of miracles? 30 Have all the gifts of healing? do all speak with tongues? do all interpret? 31 But covet earnestly the best gifts: and yet shew I unto you a more excellent way.]
In other words, we are not to think of ourselves as more highly than others because we have one or more of these gifts. None of these gifts will do us any good if we are not saved and do not use them wisely, which Paul goes on to stress, [1 Corinthians 13:1-3 Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal. 2 And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing. 3 And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing.]
[Charity; Love, benevolence, goodwill; The supreme love of God toward mankind.]. Let me tell you, faith can only do so much, we can move mountains by our faith, but if we do not have love as Christ loves, none of that will make a difference in our lives. Love, is something that every living creature desires and those who are short of it literally become tyrants. Love, is more than showing some affection, it is giving our very best even if it is not reciprocated. Look at the love that Jesus has for all mankind yet very few give it back, [1 Peter 1:22 Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently:]
You see, the gifts we are given from God are not meant to solely be used for our own glory, rather His. Once we realize His calling and start doing it willingly, that is when He blesses the work that we do with those gifts outside of His ministry. And let me tell you, it does not matter what it is that He calls us to do, if we do not do it, we will be miserable, jumping from one position to the next until we do it. And God is preaching to this choir right here. As of today there are no more prophets in the sense that God foretells of things that are about to take place in the future because we are given all that in His Word. However, there are some of us who have the gift of prophecy in that we are able to teach prophecy to others. In other words, we can interpret or help them understand God’s Word more clearly, which brings us to what is called edification or improvement of the Scriptures, [Ephesians 4:29 Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.]
In regards to the speaking of tongues, Paul is talking about being able to speak Hebrew and Greek, as for the angels, we can understand them because they only speak what God tells them to speak. Paul, goes on to say that apart from charity, the one spiritual gift that we all need to seek is prophecy.
[1 Corinthians 14:1-5 Follow after charity, and desire spiritual gifts, but rather that ye may prophesy. 2 For he that speaketh in an unknown tongue speaketh not unto men, but unto God: for no man understandeth him; howbeit in the spirit he speaketh mysteries. 3 But he that prophesieth speaketh unto men to edification, and exhortation, and comfort. 4 He that speaketh in an unknown tongue edifieth himself; but he that prophesieth edifieth the church. 5 I would that ye all spake with tongues, but rather that ye prophesied: for greater is he that prophesieth than he that speaketh with tongues, except he interpret, that the church may receive edifying.]
The ability to minister the Gospel to the lost is probably the best spiritual gift that we could ever receive. Yes, Paul, could speak a couple of languages but without being able to interpret the Gospel, it meant nothing to him. Paul, goes on to say just how we sound to people if we are speaking with the proper tongue.
[1 Corinthians 14:6-10 Now, brethren, if I come unto you speaking with tongues, what shall I profit you, except I shall speak to you either by revelation, or by knowledge, or by prophesying, or by doctrine? 7 And even things without life giving sound, whether pipe or harp, except they give a distinction in the sounds, how shall it be known what is piped or harped? 8 For if the trumpet give an uncertain sound, who shall prepare himself to the battle? 9 So likewise ye, except ye utter by the tongue words easy to be understood, how shall it be known what is spoken? for ye shall speak into the air. 10 There are, it may be, so many kinds of voices in the world, and none of them is without signification.]
I know what he is talking about on this, I live in the Spanish speaking capital of Florida. Without even thinking about it, they automatically start speaking Spanish and so fast that I cannot even pick up on one word. I know people who even say prayers in Spanish when the majority of the people in the room speak English. I know it is because they naturally speak their native language first, and I am sure that I sound the same way to them if I spoke and they only understood Spanish. The point being is that we need to be considerate around one another, especially in regards to ministering the Gospel to the lost, which Paul goes on to stress why this is so important.
[1 Corinthians 14:22-25 Wherefore tongues are for a sign, not to them that believe, but to them that believe not: but prophesying serveth not for them that believe not, but for them which believe. 23 If therefore the whole church be come together into one place, and all speak with tongues, and there come in those that are unlearned, or unbelievers, will they not say that ye are mad? 24 But if all prophesy, and there come in one that believeth not, or one unlearned, he is convinced of all, he is judged of all: 25 And thus are the secrets of his heart made manifest; and so falling down on his face he will worship God, and report that God is in you of a truth.]
In other words, it does absolutely nothing for a congregation to start speaking words that very few people understand. God, has designed His Word so that we always get something new from what we are reading, but the overall message of the Gospel ought to be the same. If it is not, then it is not something that we ought to be hearing. This is what Paul is getting at, it all brings confusion and God, is not the author of confusion. I am not going to lie, there are two languages that I long to speak I have tried, but it is not easy and that is French and American Sign Language. I have tried to learn Spanish, but that too is a challenge and if I ever learn another language before God takes me home then it will only be in His will. Nevertheless, since all spiritual gifts come from the Holy Spirit that indwells us, no one is above anyone else, we are all here to preach the same message through the gifts we are given.
[1 Corinthians 14:26-28 How is it then, brethren? when ye come together, every one of you hath a psalm, hath a doctrine, hath a tongue, hath a revelation, hath an interpretation. Let all things be done unto edifying. 27 If any man speak in an unknown tongue, let it be by two, or at the most by three, and that by course; and let one interpret. 28 But if there be no interpreter, let him keep silence in the church; and let him speak to himself, and to God. 33 For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints.]
God is not the author of confusion, He makes things simple, it is man who complicates it. Speaking in tongues is just another way of being bilingual or multilingual, it is not the mumbo jumbo you hear the charismatics proclaim. God wants us to teach the Gospel in a language that people understand, not something that no one understands at all and if we cannot then we need to remain silent. That goes for women also, which Paul goes on to point out
[1 Corinthians 14:34-39 Let your women keep silence in the churches: for it is not permitted unto them to speak; but they are commanded to be under obedience, as also saith the law. 35 And if they will learn any thing, let them ask their husbands at home: for it is a shame for women to speak in the church. 36 What? came the word of God out from you? or came it unto you only? 37 If any man think himself to be a prophet, or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things that I write unto you are the commandments of the Lord. 38 But if any man be ignorant, let him be ignorant. 39 Wherefore, brethren, covet to prophesy, and forbid not to speak with tongues.]
[Silence; To oblige to hold the peace; to restrain from noise or speaking; To restrain from preaching by revoking a license to preach; as, to silence a minister of the gospel.]. It is interesting to note that women are restrained from preaching to men in the church with one exception, that all might be able to prophesy, meaning minister the Gospel to anyone permitted by the Holy Spirit, [Joel 2:28-29 And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my Spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions: 29 And also upon the servants and upon the handmaids in those days will I pour out my Spirit.]
You see, the church of Corinth was allowing women to not only preach but also teach and interpret for the men, which in their mind gave them just as much authoritative responsibility in the church as the men. However, as the body of Christ we all have different roles within the Church and just like Paul said, it is better to keep silent rather than cause confusion. With that said, that does not mean that women are to ignore men should they be led by the Holy Spirit to reach someone with the Gospel. It does mean that women ought to have no authoritative roles within the Church other than it pertaining to women and children.
[Titus 2:3-5 The aged women likewise, that they be in behaviour as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things; 4 That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children, 5 To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed.]
Today’s Prayer: God, It is truly amazing all the things I have learned over the years, and that You use all of them for me to serve a purpose for You. Thank You for Your mercy, grace, and love, and for giving the spiritual gifts You have given me, may I know how to use them all for Your glory. Lord, lead me and guide me, help me learn to yield to the Holy Spirit as He teaches me to serve You with all my heart, soul, might, and to have charity just like Jesus. I ask these things in Your name, Jesus. Amen.
God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina
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