Verse for the week of January 17th:
To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good.
(I Corinthians 12:7)
This section of Paul’s letter to the church of Corinth deals with what it means to be the church. Paul will use the image of the body as a metaphor for the church—that the church is made up of many parts and each part is necessary for the functioning of the church. Just as each part of the body is a component of the overall functioning of the body.
The verse for this week mentions that each person is given a manifestation (gift) of the Spirit for the common good. What this means is that each Christian is given some type of spiritual gift and that these gifts are for the benefit of the entire church.
Within some circles of Christendom, the notion of spiritual gifts tends to be more focused upon the individuals who have them. They can lift up the person—the faith healer, the prophet, the one who speaks in tongues, etc. I think that this was probably most likely the case for those in Corinth and part of the reason that Paul is writing to them and includes this entire section of Spiritual gifts.
St. Paul is attempting to direct people to the whole emphasis that the gifts that the Holy Spirit gives are for the benefit of the whole church. The manifestations of the Spirit are not to lift up an individual or create spiritual superstars, but they are to empower, equip and encourage the people of God to connect with God and seek to accomplish the will of God.
The gift of healing is so that people might experience God healing touch and bring wholeness to people.
The gift of teaching/preaching is to help inspire and instruct the people of God to live out their faith.
The gift of performing miracles is about helping others to see the power of God and see how God is active within the world.
The gift of tongues is about God providing a way to communicate a message to the entire church in a way that is visibly seen that it comes from God.
While many of us may not think about many of these gifts—these along with others are given not so that some individuals can be lifted up as great women or men of God—but these gifts are given in order that God’s work can be accomplished in our church, our community, and our world.
How are you using your gifts for the common good of the church?
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