1Cor 12:12-31 | TNotes | STEP | Summary for 1Cor 12:12-31: 12:12-31 The church is like a body (see 12:27 ) composed of many different parts , each with its own function as determined by God (see 12:11 , 18 , 28 ; Rom 12:4-5 ).

Summary for 1Cor 12:12-31: 12:12-31 ^a The church is like a body (see 12:27 ^b) composed of many different parts, each with its own function as determined by God (see 12:11 ^c, 18 ^d, 28 ^e; Rom 12:4-5 ^f).
12:13 ^g Ethnic and social distinctions have no significance in the church (see Gal 3:28 ^h; Col 3:11 ⁱ).

• baptized into one body by one Spirit: Water baptism symbolizes a spiritual baptism in which the believer is united with Christ and the church by the work of the Holy Spirit.
Summary for 1Cor 12:14-21: 12:14-21 ^j These verses move from the image of a physical body to the image of the church as a spiritual body. Every part of the body is important and essential to its proper functioning. Believers should neither boast of their spiritual ministry nor belittle it in comparison to the ministries of other believers. God, who made the body, has put each part just where he wants it (12:18 ^k).
Summary for 1Cor 12:22-26: 12:22-26 ^l The seemingly weaker and less significant parts of the body are the most necessary and should be given special attention and respect so that the whole body will function well.
Summary for 1Cor 12:25-26: 12:25-26 ^m The church is a unified body, so harmony and care for each other in the church is essential.
Summary for 1Cor 12:28-31: 12:28-31 ⁿ Paul lists some of the different individual roles given to people in the church (see also the list in 12:8-10 ^o; cp. Rom 12:6-8 ^p; Eph 4:11 ^q). 12:28 ^r Apostles are specially commissioned emissaries of Christ in the world (see also Eph 4:11 ^s).

• Prophets speak a word from God (see 12:10 ^t and corresponding study note; Eph 4:11 ^u; cp. Acts 13:1-2 ^v).

• Teachers instruct others in the faith (Rom 12:7 ^w; Eph 4:11 ^x; cp. Acts 13:1 ^y).

• those who speak in unknown languages: See study note on 12:10.
Summary for 1Cor 12:29-30: 12:29-30 ^z These rhetorical questions all expect the answer, Of course not! Paul gently rebukes those who are jealous of others. Believers are to gratefully accept the gifts God has given them, and not to envy other gifts or elevate any gifts as more important than others (but see 12:31 ^aa).
12:31 ^ab Believers are to earnestly desire the most helpful gifts, those that have the greatest potential to build up the church (see 14:12 ^ac), while realizing that God is the one who distributes gifts as he chooses (12:11 ^ad, 18 ^ae, 28 ^af). Paul encourages the Corinthians to move beyond their desire for the gift of tongues (cp. 14:1-25 ^ag, 27 ^ah; see 12:10 ^ai) because it has the least potential, of all the gifts, to build up the church.

• But now let me show you: This statement transitions to Paul’s description of love in 13:1-13 ^aj. Love is a way of life that is best of all.