Did 1 Corinthians 12 Refer Only
to Followers of Christ?
By Jonathan Mitchell
We know that 1 Cor. was written to the called-out community in Corinth, but was he referring just to believers, i.e., to followers of Christ in this chapter? Paul opens this chapter with a new topic, in vs. 1:
"Now once again, brothers (= fellow believers, or, members of the Family), I do not intend (purpose; want; desire) you folks to continue being ignorant concerning the things (or: matters) of the spirit and attitude (or: the [qualities; characteristics] which are the Spirit; the [aspects or workings] of the Breath-effect; or: spiritual folks)."
He is, of course, still addressing the believing community, but is this topic restricted only to people that have been "born again," or who have come to trust in Christ, or is the topic of "the things of the spirit" more inclusive of "the Many" of Rom. 5:12-19? Might it refer to "the Last Adam" or "the second Humanity" of 1 Cor. 15:45-49? In 15:46 we read,
"Nevertheless, the spiritual [is] not first, but rather the one having the qualities and characteristics of a soul (the soulish), then afterwards, the spiritual (that pertaining to and having the qualities of Breath-effect and Attitude)."
This verse sounds a bit like 12:1, above. It is a generalized statement referring to contrasting realms of existence that are termed "the first human, Adam," and the "Last Adam" (15:45). In the next verse, the "afterwards" speaks of this "Last Adam." Then in 15:48-49, Paul applies these two realms of existence to people in general. In other words, just as Rom. 5:12 is speaking about "all humanity," or, "The Many," so the first Adam of 15:45 is a symbol of corporate humanity and the Last Adam is a symbol of the "second humanity" of 15:47. What applies to the head, or originator, applies to the whole of humanity - in both cases (1st and Last; 1st and Second). Take a moment to read 1 Cor. 15:45-49 to get this concept clearly in mind.
Let us look at another of Paul's inclusive concepts. 2 Cor. 5:10-19 begins with,
"for it continues (or: is repeatedly) necessary for us - the all (= the whole of humanity) - to be manifested in front of Christ's elevated place..."
then, in vs. 11, he states that
"we are constantly persuading mankind (habitually convincing people; one after another making humans confident)."
In vs. 14b we read,
"[We are] deciding (discerning and concluding; judging) this: that [some MSS add: since] One Person (or: Man) died over [the situation of] all mankind (or: for the sake of all); consequently all people died (or: accordingly, then, ALL HUMANITY died)."
Note the corporate theme in Paul's instructing the Corinthians. Next, in vs. 15 we find that,
And further, He died over all humanity (over [the situation] of, and for the sake of all) to the end that those living may (or: could; would) no longer live for themselves (to themselves; in themselves; by themselves), but rather for (or: in; by; to; with) the One dying and then being awakened and raised up over them (over their [situation]; for their sakes)."
He continues his inclusive theme in vs. 17, speaking of there being "a new creation" qualifying this further by saying that "new things have come into existence." Verse 18 expands his unveiling, proclaiming that
"all things [are] (or: the Whole [is]; = all the things that exist [are]) forth from out of the midst of God - the One transforming us to be completely other [than we were]..."
with vs. 19 proclaiming the Good News that,
"God was existing within Christ (God was and continued being in union with [the] Anointed One) progressively and completely transforming [the] aggregate of humanity (or: world) to be other [than it is] in Himself, to Himself, for Himself and by Himself, not accounting to them (not putting to their account; not logically considering for them; not reasoning in them) the results and effects of their falls to the side (their trespasses and offenses)..."
Of course Paul gave admonitions to, and for, individuals in his letters, but a careful study will reveal that his central message was corporate. 1 Cor. 13, with its message about Love applies to all people. The Love of which He speaks is the Love of God, for human love cannot of itself live up to what he describes there. Consider 13:7,
"[Love] continuously covers all mankind; it is habitually loyal to all humanity; it constantly has an expectation for all mankind; it is continuously remaining under and giving support to all people."
This verse speaks of God (Love) continuously covering "all mankind" and being loyal to "all humanity." So with these observations in mind, let us consider 1 Cor. 12.
Verse 2 takes Paul's listeners back in their memory to when they were in the realm of being "the ethnic multitudes (the nations; Gentiles)." So Paul is speaking of the realm of the 1st Adam: that which he later describes in 15:46, above. It is this same, general situation of humanity - the ethnic multitudes - that he next addresses in 12:3,
"Wherefore, I am now proceeding to make known to you folks that no one - speaking within God's Spirit (or: speaking in union with the Breath-effect of God; speaking in the sphere of a Breath which is God) - is in the habit of saying, 'Jesus [is] a result of something set up as an offering to a deity (or thus: Jesus [is] accursed)!' And no one is able (normally has power) to say, 'Jesus [is] Lord (or: O Lord Jesus; or: [Yahweh]... Yahshua [= Yah is Savior])!' except within and in union with [the] Holy Spirit (or: in the midst of a set-apart Breathe-effect; in consecrated spirit and attitude; centered in [the] Sacred Breath)."
Notice that he is speaking of "no one."
From this context, he immediately launches into what the common versions render as "gifts." However, the Greek word that is used in vss. 4-11 is 'charis-ma.' The -ma ending signifies that the speaker is referring to "the results" or "the effects" of what the noun is indicating. The noun 'charis' means "grace; favor." So not let us read these verses:
5. and there are different distributions of attending services (divided-out apportionments of dispensings), and yet the same Lord (or: Owner; Master; [= Christ or Yahweh]);
6. also there continue being different distributions of the results of inner workings and the effects of inward operations, and still, the same God - the One continuously working inwardly and progressively activating all things within and in union with all humans (or: constantly energizing and operating the whole, centered within the midst of all things).
7. Yet in, to, for and with each person the manifestation (clear display in light) of the Breath-effect (or: from the Spirit) is continuously being given [with a view] to and [leading] toward progressively bringing [folks or things] together, face-to-face with the constant mutual bearing-together for benefit, advantage, expedience and the common good [of all].
8. For you see, on the one hand, in (or: to; for; with; by) one person a word (a thought, message or expression; [the] reason) of wisdom (or: a wise idea) is repeatedly or from time-to-time or progressively being given. In (or: To; For; With; By) another person, on the other hand, [is given] a word (thought; message; expression; [the] reason) of intimate, experiential knowledge, insight or realization (gnosis) - in accord with (or: down from; in the sphere of; in line with) the same Breath (or: Spirit).
9. In (To; For; With; By) a different person [is given] faith (trust; loyalty; belief; conviction; trustworthiness), within and in union with the same effect of the Breath (or: Spirit; Attitude); yet in (to; for; by; with) another the effects of grace, and the results of joyous favor, which result in healings - within and in union with the one Breath-effect (or: Spirit; Attitude).
10. Yet in (to; for) another person [is given] the effects and results of inner workings and operations of abilities, powers and influences; still in (to; for; by) another [is given] a prophecy (or: light ahead of time), and in (to; for; by) another [is given] thorough discernings, distinguishings or discriminations pertaining to spirits (or: separations from spirits throughout [oneself]; [the] siftings and complete separations which lead to a thorough decision or judgment of spirits or attitudes). Yet, in (to; for; by) a different person [are given] races and species (families and classes) of languages (or: tongues), then in (to; for; by) another one [are given] translations and interpretations of languages (tongues).
11. Now the one and the same Spirit (or: Breath-effect; Attitude) is habitually working within (energizing, activating and operating) all these things, constantly dividing, apportioning and distributing in (to; for) each person his own [effect of grace], correspondingly as He progressively intends (is habitually willing; continuously purposes).
Observe in vs. 6 the inclusive phrase,
"within and in union with all humans."
Then vs. 7 speaks of, "the constant mutual bearing-together for benefit, advantage, expedience and the common good." Notice the terminology,
"one person... another person,"
in vs. 8. These generalized terms continue in vss. 9 and 10, and vs. 11 instructs us that
"all of these things"
are being distributed by the same Spirit,
"correspondingly as He continuously purposes."
These are all blessings, the results and effects of Grace! Was Grace just for the first-fruits, the called-out communities? No, for we read in Rom. 5:17,
"For since by the effect of the fall to the side (or: in the result of the stumbling aside; with the effect of the offense) of the one The Death reigned through that one, much more, rather, will the peoples (= the masses of humanity) - in continuously receiving and seizing upon (taking in hand) the surrounding superabundance (encircling, extraordinary surplus and excess) of the Grace and of, from and which is the gratuitous gift of the liberated Rightwisedness- continue reigning within and in union with Life through the One, Jesus Christ"
And Rom. 5:20b concludes,
"But where the Sin (the failure; the divergence and missing of the target) increases (or: abounded to be more than enough; becomes more intense) THE GRACE ('the act producing happiness, which is granted as a favor' - Jim Coram) at once super-exceeds (or: hyper-exceeded) over and above, surrounding to excessive abundance and overflow."
The organized church has traditionally taken 1 Cor. 12 as applying only to itself. I have come to question the legitimacy of this teaching. As we look at the rest of this chapter, let us ask whether Paul may be speaking of the body of the new Humanity. Paul metaphorically uses the concept of a human body as an analogy for "the Christ (the Anointed)" in vs. 12:
"You see, correspondingly as the [human] body is one [body] and continuously has (possesses; holds) many members (body parts), and all the members of the one body - being many - are one body, in this way, also, [is] the Christ (or: even thus [is] the Anointed One and the Anointing)."
Is Paul thinking here in the same ways that he spoke of Christ 1 Cor. 15:44-49, as cited above? That is just three chapters after this one, in this same letter. Verse 13 informs us that,
"we are all submerged into one body- whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free folks - and we all were made (or: caused) to drink one Spirit."
Rom. 6:8 explains that,
"we died together with Christ,"
as we saw in 2 Cor. 5:14b, above. Rom. 6:3 told us that,
"as many as are immersed into Christ Jesus are immersed into His death."
Since all died with Christ, then all, by One Spirit we were submerged/immersed into one body (vs. 13, here). Verses 14-26 speak of "the body" having many members, and how the different members have different functions, and how all are needed. Then Paul speaks directly to the Corinthians, in vs. 27,
"Now you folks yourselves are, and continuously exist being, Christ's body (or: a body which is Anointed; or: a body whose source and character is Christ, and which is Christ) - and [you folks are] members of a part [of it]."
Take note of the parenthetical expansion,
"A body which is Anointed, etc."
They were not the entire body. Now let us consider vss. 28-30. What was the purpose for
"those sent off on a mission (emissaries; representatives; aka 'apostles')"?
It was to take the message of goodness, ease and well-being (the Gospel) to the aggregate of humanity. They also need:
"folks who have light ahead of time and speak it before others publicly [on behalf of God] (spokesmen [for God]; prophets);... people who teach... abilities and powers, adding then effects of grace which result in cures and healings... folks who take [things] in hand, in place of another, and grasp with their mind and apprehend the replaced [situation] and exchange (or: those who lay hold of the other side of something in order to aid and assist; or: occasions of receiving in turn or in exchange; or: = helpful services; supports given in turn) [and provided] situations and skills for steering the course."
Also given were,
"species (or: families; races; kinds) of languages (or: tongues)"
that could be helpful in missionary work, in speaking with God, and for self-edification (1 Cor. 14:2-3). He ends this chapter with vs. 31,
"Yet, you folks be constantly boiling with fervor (habitually fervent in zeal) [for; seeking; supporting; in devotion to] the greater effects of grace and favor! And still, I am now progressively pointing out and showing you folks a path ([the] Way) corresponding to transcendence (or: a road which accords with a casting-something-over [someone] on their behalf; a pathway in the sphere of excess and extravagance; = an incomparable way):"
Then he moves into chapter 13, and speaks of God (Love). Does this "transcendence," this sphere of excess and extravagance, which is Love, transcend all of what God "placed in union with the covenant community" (vs. 28-30)? Is this why 13:10 speaks of,
"that which is out of a part (a piece; a portion) will be progressively rendered useless and unproductive (idled-down to be inactive, unemployed or discarded),"
and 13:13 ends the chapter with,
"So at the present time trust (or: faith; loyalty; trustworthiness), expectation (or: expectant hope) [and] love (unrestricted acceptance which overcomes existential separation - Tillich) - these three - continue remaining and habitually dwell [with us], yet the greatest of these [is] the Love ([God's] urge toward unambiguous, accepting reunion - Tillich; self-giving - Rohr). You folks make haste to progressively run after and continuously pursue this Love!"?
It seems to me that the result of God's grace, as well as the effect of His favor - which is the opening topic of 1 Cor. 12 that
"concerns the things of the spirit and attitude"
- applies to all humanity. Christ's followers are those who have been called to take the message of God's goodness to all mankind.
Jonathan
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