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<TITLE>Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary on the Whole Bible [First Corinthians XII].</TITLE>
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<center><h1>Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary
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on the Whole Bible</h1>
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[<A HREF="MHC00000.HTM">Table of Contents</A>]<BR>
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Matthew Henry<BR><I>Commentary on the Whole Bible</I> (1721)
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<!-- (Begin Body) -->
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<CENTER>
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<BR><FONT SIZE=+3><B>F I R S T C O R I N T H I A N S.</B></FONT>
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<BR>
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<BR><FONT SIZE=+2>CHAP. XII.</FONT>
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<FONT SIZE=-1>
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<P>
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In this chapter the apostle,
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I. Considers the case of spiritual gifts, which were very plentifully
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poured out on the Corinthian church. He considers their original, that
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they are from God; their variety and use, that they were all intended
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for one and the same general end, the advancement of Christianity and
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the church's edification,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ro+12:1-11">ver. 1-11</A>.
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II. He illustrates this by an allusion to a human body, in which all
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the members have a mutual relation and subserviency, and each has its
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proper place and use,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ro+12:12-26">ver. 12-26</A>.
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III. He tells us that the church is the body of Christ, and the members
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are variously gifted for the benefit of the whole body, and each
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particular member,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ro+12:27-30">ver. 27-30</A>.
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And them,
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IV. Closes with an exhortation to seek somewhat more beneficial than
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these gifts,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ro+12:31">ver. 31</A>.</P>
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<A NAME="Sec1"> </A>
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<TABLE WIDTH="100%" BORDER=0>
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<TR><TD><FONT SIZE=+1><I>On Spiritual Gifts.</I></FONT></TD>
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<TD ALIGN=RIGHT VALIGN=BOTTOM><FONT SIZE=-1>A. D.</FONT> 57.</TD></TR>
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<TR><TD COLSPAN=2><HR SIZE=1></TD></TR>
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</TABLE>
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<P>
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<FONT SIZE=+1>1 Now concerning spiritual <I>gifts,</I> brethren, I would not have
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you ignorant.
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2 Ye know that ye were Gentiles, carried away unto these dumb
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idols, even as ye were led.
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3 Wherefore I give you to understand, that no man speaking by
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the Spirit of God calleth Jesus accursed: and <I>that</I> no man can
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say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost.
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4 Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit.
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5 And there are differences of administrations, but the same
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Lord.
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6 And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same
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God which worketh all in all.
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7 But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to
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profit withal.
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8 For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to
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another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit;
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9 To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of
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healing by the same Spirit;
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10 To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to
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another discerning of spirits; to another <I>divers</I> kinds of
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tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues:
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11 But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit,
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dividing to every man severally as he will.
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</FONT></P>
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<P>
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The apostle comes now to treat of spiritual gifts, which abounded in
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the church of Corinth, but were greatly abused. What these gifts were
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is at large told us in the body of the chapter; namely, extraordinary
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offices and powers, bestowed on ministers and Christians in the first
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ages, for conviction of unbelievers, and propagation of the gospel.
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Gifts and graces, <B><I>charismata</I></B> and <B><I>charis,</I></B>
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greatly differ. Both indeed were freely given of God. But where grace
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is given it is for the salvation of those who have it. Gifts are
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bestowed for the advantage and salvation of others. And there may be
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great gifts where there is not a dram of grace, but persons possessed
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of them are utterly out of the divine favour. They are great instances
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of divine benignity to men, but do not by themselves prove those who
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have them to be the objects of divine complacency. This church was rich
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in gifts, but there were many things scandalously out of order in it.
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Now concerning these spiritual gifts, that is, the extraordinary powers
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they had received from the Spirit,</P>
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<P>
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I. The apostle tells them he would not have them ignorant either of
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their original or use. They came from God, and were to be used for him.
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It would lead them far astray if they were ignorant of one or the other
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of these. Note, Right information is of great use as to all religious
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practice. It is wretched work which gifted men make who either do not
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know or do not advert to the nature and right use of the gifts with
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which they are endowed.</P>
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<P>
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II. He puts them in the mind of the sad state out of which they had
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been recovered: <I>You were Gentiles, carried away to dumb idols, even
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as you were led,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ro+12:2"><I>v.</I> 2</A>.
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While they were so, they could have no pretensions to be spiritual men,
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nor to have spiritual gifts. While they were under the conduct of the
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spirit of Gentilism, they could not be influenced by the Spirit of
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Christ. If they well understood their former condition, they could not
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but know that all true spiritual gifts were from God. Now concerning
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this observe,
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1. Their former character: they <I>were Gentiles.</I> Not God's
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peculiar people, but of the nations whom he had in a manner abandoned.
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The Jews were, before, his chosen people, distinguished from the rest
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of the world by his favour. To them the knowledge and worship of the
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true God were in a manner confined. The rest of the world were
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strangers to the covenant of promise, aliens from the commonwealth of
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Israel, and in a manner without God,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Eph+2:12">Eph. ii. 12</A>.
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Such Gentiles were the body of the Corinthians, before their conversion
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to Christianity. What a change was here! Christian Corinthians were
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once Gentiles. Note, It is of great use to the Christian, and a proper
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consideration to stir him up both to duty and thankfulness, to think
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what once he was: <I>You were Gentiles.</I>
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2. The conduct they were under: <I>Carried away to these dumb idols,
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even as you were led.</I> They were hurried upon the grossest idolatry,
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the worship even of stocks and stones, through the force of a vain
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imagination, and the fraud of their priests practising on their
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ignorance, for, whatever were the sentiments of their philosophers,
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this was the practice of the herd. The body of the people paid their
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homage and worship to dumb idols, <I>that had ears but could not hear,
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and mouths but could not speak,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+115:5,6">Ps. cxv. 5, 6</A>.
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Miserable abjectness of mind! And those who despised these gross
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conceptions of the vulgar yet countenanced them by their practice. O
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dismal state of Gentilism! Could the Spirit of God be among such
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stupid idolators, or they be influenced by it? How did the prince of
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this world triumph in the blindness of mankind! How thick a mist had he
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cast over their minds!</P>
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<P>
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III. He shows them how they might discern those gifts that were from
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the Spirit of God, true spiritual gifts: <I>No man, speaking by the
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Spirit, calls Jesus accursed.</I> Thus did both Jews and Gentiles: they
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blasphemed him as an impostor, and execrated his name, and deemed it
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abominable. And yet many Jews, who were exorcists and magicians, went
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about, pretending to work wonders by the Spirit of God (vid.
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Lightfoot's <I>Horæ in loc.</I>), and many among the Gentiles
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pretended to inspiration. Now the apostle tells them none could act
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under the influence, nor by the power, of the Spirit of God, who
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disowned and blasphemed Christ: for the Spirit of God bore
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uncontrollable witness to Christ by prophecy, miracles, his
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resurrection from the dead, the success of his doctrine among men, and
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its effect upon them; and could never so far contradict itself as to
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declare him accursed. And on the other hand <I>no man could say Jesus
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was the Lord</I> (that is, live by this faith, and work miracles to
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prove it), <I>but it must be by the Holy Ghost.</I> To own this truth
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before men, and maintain it to the death, and live under the influence
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of it, could not be done without the sanctification of the Holy Ghost.
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No man can call Christ <I>Lord,</I> with a believing subjection to him
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and dependence upon him, unless that faith be wrought by the Holy
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Ghost. No man can confess this truth in the day of trial but by the
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Holy Ghost animating and encouraging him. Note, We have as necessary a
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dependence on the Spirit's operation and influence for our
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sanctification and perseverance as on the mediation of Christ for our
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reconciliation and acceptance with God: and no man could confirm this
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truth with a miracle but by the Holy Ghost. No evil spirit would lend
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assistance, if it were in his power, to spread a doctrine and religion
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so ruinous to the devil's kingdom. The substance of what the apostle
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asserts and argues here is that whatever pretences there were to
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inspiration or miracles, among those who were enemies to Christianity,
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they could not be from the Spirit of God; but no man could believe this
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with his heart, nor prove with a miracle that Jesus was Christ, but by
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the Holy Ghost: so that the extraordinary operations and powers among
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them did all proceed from the Spirit of God. He adds,</P>
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<P>
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IV. These spiritual gifts, though proceeding from the same Spirit, are
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yet various. They have one author and original, but are themselves of
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various kinds. A free cause may produce variety of effects; and the
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same giver may bestow various gifts,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ro+12:4"><I>v.</I> 4</A>.
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<I>There are diversities of gifts,</I> such as revelations, tongues,
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prophecy, interpretations of tongues; <I>but the same Spirit.</I> There
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are differences of administrations, or different offices, and officers
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to discharge them, different ordinances and institutions (see
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ro+12:28-30"><I>v.</I> 28-30</A>),
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but the same Lord, who appointed all,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ro+12:6"><I>v.</I> 6</A>.
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<I>There are diversities of operations,</I> or miraculous powers,
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called <B><I>energemata dynameon</I></B>
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ro+12:10"><I>v.</I> 10</A>),
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as here <B><I>energemata,</I></B> <I>but it is the same God that
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worketh all in all.</I> There are various gifts, administrations, and
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operations, but all proceed from one God, one Lord, one Spirit; that
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is, from Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, the spring and origin of all
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spiritual blessings and bequests: all issue from the same fountain; all
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have the same author. However different they may be in themselves, in
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this they agree; all are from God. And several of the kinds are here
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specified,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ro+12:8-10"><I>v.</I> 8-10</A>.
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Several persons had their several gifts, some one, some another, all
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from and by the same Spirit. To one was given the <I>word of
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wisdom;</I> that is, say some, a knowledge of the mysteries of the
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gospel, and ability to explain them, an exact understanding of the
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design, nature, and doctrines, of the Christian religion. Others say an
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uttering of grave sentences, like Solomon's proverbs. Some confine this
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word of wisdom to the revelations made to and by the apostles.--<I>To
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another the word of knowledge, by the same Spirit;</I> that is, say
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some, the knowledge of mysteries
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ro+2:13"><I>ch.</I> ii. 13</A>):
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wrapped up in the prophecies, types, and histories of the Old
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Testament: say others, a skill and readiness to give advice and counsel
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in perplexed cases.--<I>To another faith, by the same Spirit;</I> that
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is, the faith of miracles, or a faith in the divine power and promise,
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whereby they were enabled to trust God in any emergency, and go on in
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the way of their duty, and own and profess the truths of Christ,
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whatever was the difficulty or danger.--<I>To another the gift of
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healing, by the same Spirit;</I> that is, healing the sick, either by
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laying on of hands, or anointing with oil, or with a bare word.--<I>To
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another the working of miracles;</I> the efficacies of powers,
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<B><I>energemata dynameon,</I></B> such as raising the dead, restoring
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the blind to sight, giving speech to the dumb, hearing to the deaf, and
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the use of limbs to the lame.--<I>To another prophecy,</I> that is,
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ability to foretel future events, which is the more usual sense of
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prophecy; or to explain scripture by a peculiar gift of the Spirit. See
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ro+14:24"><I>ch.</I> xiv. 24</A>.--
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<I>To another the discerning of Spirits,</I> power to distinguish
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between true and false prophets, or to discern the real and internal
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qualifications of any person for an office, or to discover the inward
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workings of the mind by the Holy Ghost, as Peter did those of Ananias,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+5:3">Acts v. 3</A>.--
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<I>To another divers kinds of tongues,</I> or ability to speak
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languages by inspiration.--<I>To another the interpretation of
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tongues,</I> or ability to render foreign languages readily and
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properly into their own. With such variety of spiritual gifts were the
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first ministers and churches blessed.</P>
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<P>
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V. The end for which these gifts were bestowed: <I>The manifestation of
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the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ro+12:7"><I>v.</I> 7</A>.
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The Spirit was manifested by the exercise of these gifts; his influence
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and interest appeared in them. But they were not distributed for the
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mere honour and advantage of those who had them, but for the benefit of
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the church, to edify the body, and spread and advance the gospel. Note,
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Whatever gifts God confers on any man, he confers them that he may do
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good with them, whether they be common or spiritual. The outward gifts
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of his bounty are to be improved for his glory, and employed in doing
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good to others. No man has them merely for himself. They are a trust
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put into his hands, to profit withal; and the more he profits others
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with them, the more abundantly will they turn to his account in the
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end,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Php+4:17">Phil. iv. 17</A>.
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Spiritual gifts are bestowed, that men may with them profit the church
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and promote Christianity. They are not given for show, but for service;
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not for pomp and ostentation, but for edification; not to magnify those
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that have them, but to edify others.</P>
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<P>
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VI. The measure and proportion in which they are given: <I>All these
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worketh one and the same Spirit, dividing to every man as he will.</I>
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It is according to the sovereign pleasure of the donor. What more free
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than a gift? And shall not the Spirit of God do what he will with his
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own? May he not give to what persons he pleases, and in what proportion
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he pleases; one gift to one man, and another to another; to one more,
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and another fewer, as he thinks fit? Is he not the best judge how his
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own purpose shall be served, and his own donatives bestowed? It is not
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as men will, nor as they may think fit, but as the Spirit pleases.
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Note, The Holy Ghost is a divine person. He works divine effects and
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divides divine gifts a he will, by his own power, and according to his
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own pleasure, without dependence or control. But though he distributes
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these gifts freely and uncontrollably, they are intended by him, not
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for private honour and advantage, but for public benefit, for the
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edification of the body, the church.</P>
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<A NAME="1Co12_12"> </A>
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<A NAME="1Co12_13"> </A>
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<A NAME="1Co12_14"> </A>
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<A NAME="1Co12_15"> </A>
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<A NAME="1Co12_16"> </A>
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<A NAME="1Co12_17"> </A>
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<A NAME="1Co12_18"> </A>
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<A NAME="1Co12_19"> </A>
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<A NAME="1Co12_20"> </A>
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<A NAME="1Co12_21"> </A>
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<A NAME="1Co12_22"> </A>
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<A NAME="1Co12_23"> </A>
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<A NAME="1Co12_24"> </A>
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<A NAME="1Co12_25"> </A>
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<A NAME="1Co12_26"> </A>
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<A NAME="Sec2"> </A>
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<TABLE WIDTH="100%" BORDER=0>
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<TR><TD><FONT SIZE=+1><I>Union Recommended.</I></FONT></TD>
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<TD ALIGN=RIGHT VALIGN=BOTTOM><FONT SIZE=-1>A. D.</FONT> 57.</TD></TR>
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<TR><TD COLSPAN=2><HR SIZE=1></TD></TR>
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</TABLE>
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<P>
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<FONT SIZE=+1>12 For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the
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members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also <I>is</I>
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Christ.
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13 For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether
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<I>we be</I> Jews or Gentiles, whether <I>we be</I> bond or free; and have
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been all made to drink into one Spirit.
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14 For the body is not one member, but many.
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15 If the foot shall say, Because I am not the hand, I am not
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of the body; is it therefore not of the body?
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16 And if the ear shall say, Because I am not the eye, I am not
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of the body; is it therefore not of the body?
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17 If the whole body <I>were</I> an eye, where <I>were</I> the hearing?
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If the whole <I>were</I> hearing, where <I>were</I> the smelling?
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18 But now hath God set the members every one of them in the
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body, as it hath pleased him.
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19 And if they were all one member, where <I>were</I> the body?
|
|
20 But now <I>are they</I> many members, yet but one body.
|
|
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.
|
|
22 Nay, much more those members of the body, which seem to be
|
|
more feeble, are necessary:
|
|
23 And those <I>members</I> of the body, which we think to be less
|
|
honourable, upon these we bestow more abundant honour; and our
|
|
uncomely <I>parts</I> have more abundant comeliness.
|
|
24 For our comely <I>parts</I> have no need: but God hath tempered
|
|
the body together, having given more abundant honour to that
|
|
<I>part</I> which lacked:
|
|
25 That there should be no schism in the body; but <I>that</I> the
|
|
members should have the same care one for another.
|
|
26 And whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with
|
|
it; or one member be honoured, all the members rejoice with it.
|
|
</FONT></P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
The apostle here makes out the truth of what was above asserted, and
|
|
puts the gifted men among the Corinthians in mind of their duty, by
|
|
comparing the church of Christ to a human body.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
I. By telling us that one body may have many members, and that the many
|
|
members of the same body make but one body
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ro+12:12"><I>v.</I> 12</A>):
|
|
|
|
<I>As the body is one, and hath many members, and all members of that
|
|
one body, being many, are one body, so also is Christ;</I> that is,
|
|
Christ mystical, as divines commonly speak. Christ and his church
|
|
making one body, as head and members, this body is made up of many
|
|
parts or members, yet but one body; for all the members are <I>baptized
|
|
into the same body, and made to drink of the same Spirit,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ro+12:13"><I>v.</I> 13</A>.
|
|
|
|
Jews and Gentiles, bond and free, are upon a level in this: all are
|
|
baptized into the same body, and made partakers of the same Spirit.
|
|
Christians become members of this body by baptism: they are baptized
|
|
into one body. The outward rite is of divine institution, significant
|
|
of the new birth, called therefore <I>the washing of regeneration,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Tit+3:5">Tit. iii. 5</A>.
|
|
|
|
But it is by the Spirit, by the renewing of the Holy Ghost, that we are
|
|
made members of Christ's body. It is the Spirit's operation, signified
|
|
by the outward administration, that makes us members. And by communion
|
|
at the other ordinance we are sustained; but then it is not merely by
|
|
drinking the wine, but by drinking into one Spirit. The outward
|
|
administration is a means appointed of God for our participation in
|
|
this great benefit; but it is baptism by the Spirit, it is internal
|
|
renovation and drinking into one Spirit, partaking of his sanctifying
|
|
influence from time to time, that makes us true members of Christ's
|
|
body, and maintains our union with him. Being animated by one Spirit
|
|
makes Christians one body. Note, All who have the spirit of Christ,
|
|
without difference, are the members of Christ, whether Jew or Gentile,
|
|
bond or free; and none but such. And all the members of Christ make up
|
|
one body; the members many, but the body one. They are one body,
|
|
because they have one principle of life; all are quickened and animated
|
|
by the same Spirit.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
II. Each member has its particular form, place, and use.
|
|
|
|
1. The meanest member makes a part of the body. The foot and ear are
|
|
less useful, perhaps, than the hand and eye; but because one is not a
|
|
hand, and the other an eye, shall they say, therefore, that they do not
|
|
belong to the body?
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ro+12:15,16"><I>v.</I> 15, 16</A>.
|
|
|
|
So every member of the body mystical cannot have the same place and
|
|
office; but what then? Shall it hereupon disown relation to the body?
|
|
Because it is not fixed in the same station, or favoured with the same
|
|
gifts as others, shall it say, "I do not belong to Christ?" No, the
|
|
meanest member of his body is as much a member as the noblest, and as
|
|
truly regarded by him. All his members are dear to him.
|
|
|
|
2. There must be a distinction of members in the body: <I>Were the
|
|
whole body eye, where were the hearing? Were the whole ear, where were
|
|
the smelling?</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ro+12:17"><I>v.</I> 17</A>.
|
|
|
|
<I>If all were one member, where were the body?</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ro+12:19"><I>v.</I> 19</A>.
|
|
|
|
<I>They are many members,</I> and for that reason must have distinction
|
|
among them, <I>and yet are but one body,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ro+12:20"><I>v.</I> 20</A>.
|
|
|
|
One member of a body is not a body; this is made up of many; and among
|
|
these many there must be a distinction, difference of situation, shape,
|
|
use, &c. So it is in the body of Christ; its members must have
|
|
different uses, and therefore have different powers, and be in
|
|
different places, some having one gift, and others a different one.
|
|
Variety in the members of the body contributes to the beauty of it.
|
|
What a monster would a body be if it were all ear, or eye, or arm! So
|
|
it is for the beauty and good appearance of the church that there
|
|
should be diversity of gifts and offices in it.
|
|
|
|
3. The disposal of members in a natural body, and their situation, are
|
|
as God pleases: <I>But now hath God set the members, every one of them,
|
|
in the body, as it hath pleased him,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ro+12:18"><I>v.</I> 18</A>.
|
|
|
|
We may plainly perceive the divine wisdom in the distribution of the
|
|
members; but it was made according to the counsel of his will; he
|
|
distinguished and distributed them as he pleased. So is it also in the
|
|
members of Christ's body: they are chosen out to such stations, and
|
|
endued with such gifts, as God pleases. He who is sovereign Lord of all
|
|
disposes his favours and gifts as he will. And who should gainsay his
|
|
pleasure? What foundation is here for repining in ourselves, or envying
|
|
others? We should be doing the duties of our own place, and not
|
|
murmuring in ourselves, nor quarrelling with others, that we are not in
|
|
theirs.
|
|
|
|
4. All the members of the body are, in some respect, useful and
|
|
necessary to each other: <I>The eye cannot say to the hand, I have no
|
|
need of thee; nor the head to the feet, I have no need of your:</I>
|
|
nay, those members of the body <I>which seem to be more feeble</I> (the
|
|
bowels, &c.) <I>are necessary</I>
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ro+12:21,22"><I>v.</I> 21, 22</A>);
|
|
|
|
God has so fitted and tempered them together that they are all
|
|
necessary to one another, and to the whole body; there is no part
|
|
redundant and unnecessary. Every member serves some good purpose or
|
|
other: it is useful to its fellow-members, and necessary to the good
|
|
state of the whole body. Nor is there a member of the body of Christ
|
|
but may and ought to be useful to his fellow-members, and at some
|
|
times, and in some cases, is needful to them. None should despise and
|
|
envy another, seeing God has made the distinction between them as he
|
|
pleased, yet so as to keep them all in some degree of mutual
|
|
dependence, and make them valuable to each other, and concerned for
|
|
each other, because of their mutual usefulness. Those who excel in any
|
|
gift cannot say that they have no need of those who in that gift are
|
|
their inferiors, while perhaps, in other gifts, they exceed them. Nay,
|
|
the lowest members of all have their use, and the highest cannot do
|
|
well without them. The eye has need of the hand, and the head of the
|
|
feet.
|
|
|
|
5. Such is the man's concern for his whole body that <I>on the less
|
|
honourable members more abundant honour is bestowed, and our uncomely
|
|
parts have more abundant comeliness.</I> Those parts which are not fit,
|
|
like the rest, to be exposed to view, which are either deformed or
|
|
shameful, we most carefully clothe and cover; whereas the comely parts
|
|
have no such need. The wisdom of Providence has so contrived and
|
|
tempered things that the most abundant regard and honour should be paid
|
|
to that which most wanted it,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ro+12:24"><I>v.</I> 24</A>.
|
|
|
|
So should the members of Christ's body behave towards their
|
|
fellow-members: instead of despising them, or reproaching them, for
|
|
their infirmities, they should endeavour to cover and conceal them, and
|
|
put the best face upon them that they can.
|
|
|
|
6. Divine wisdom has contrived and ordered things in this manner that
|
|
the members of the body should not be schismatics, divided from each
|
|
other and acting upon separate interests, but well affected to each
|
|
other, tenderly concerned for each other, having a fellow-feeling of
|
|
each other's griefs and a communion in each other's pleasures and joys,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ro+12:25,26"><I>v.</I> 25, 26</A>.
|
|
|
|
God has tempered the members of the body natural in the manner
|
|
mentioned, that <I>there might be no schism in the body</I>
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ro+12:25"><I>v.</I> 25</A>),
|
|
|
|
no rupture nor disunion among the members, nor so much as the least
|
|
mutual disregard. This should be avoided also in the spiritual body of
|
|
Christ. There should be no schism in this body, but the members should
|
|
be closely united by the strongest bonds of love. All decays of this
|
|
affection are the seeds of schism. Where Christians grow cold towards
|
|
each other, they will be careless and unconcerned for each other. And
|
|
this mutual disregard is a schism begun. The members of the natural
|
|
body are made to have a care and concern for each other, to prevent a
|
|
schism in it. So should it be in Christ's body; the members should
|
|
sympathize with each other. As in the natural body the pain of the one
|
|
part afflicts the whole, the ease and pleasure of one part affects the
|
|
whole, so should Christians reckon themselves honoured in the honours
|
|
of their fellow-christians, and should suffer in their sufferings.
|
|
Note, Christian sympathy is a great branch of Christian duty. We should
|
|
be so far from slighting our brethren's sufferings that we should
|
|
suffer with them, so far from envying their honours that we should
|
|
rejoice with them and reckon ourselves honoured in them.</P>
|
|
|
|
<A NAME="1Co12_27"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="1Co12_28"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="1Co12_29"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="1Co12_30"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="1Co12_31"> </A>
|
|
|
|
<A NAME="Sec3"> </A>
|
|
<TABLE WIDTH="100%" BORDER=0>
|
|
<TR><TD><FONT SIZE=+1><I>On Spiritual Gifts.</I></FONT></TD>
|
|
<TD ALIGN=RIGHT VALIGN=BOTTOM><FONT SIZE=-1>A. D.</FONT> 57.</TD></TR>
|
|
<TR><TD COLSPAN=2><HR SIZE=1></TD></TR>
|
|
</TABLE>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
<FONT SIZE=+1>27 Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular.
|
|
28 And God hath set some in the church, first apostles,
|
|
secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then
|
|
gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues.
|
|
29 <I>Are</I> all apostles? <I>are</I> all prophets? <I>are</I> all teachers?
|
|
<I>are</I> 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 show I unto you
|
|
a more excellent way.
|
|
</FONT></P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
I. Here the apostle sums up the argument, and applies this similitude
|
|
to the church of Christ, concerning which observe,</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
1. The relation wherein Christians stand to Christ and one another. The
|
|
church, or whole collective body of Christians, in all ages, is his
|
|
body. Every Christian is a member of his body, and every other
|
|
Christian stands related to him as a fellow-member
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ro+12:27"><I>v.</I> 27</A>):
|
|
|
|
<I>Now you are the body of Christ, and members in particular,</I> or
|
|
particular members. Each is a member of the body, not the whole body;
|
|
each stands related to the body as a part of it, and all have a common
|
|
relation to one another, dependence upon one another, and should have a
|
|
mutual care and concern. Thus are the members of the natural body, thus
|
|
should the members of the mystical body be, disposed. Note, Mutual
|
|
indifference, and much more contempt, and hatred, and envy, and strife,
|
|
are very unnatural in Christians. It is like the members of the same
|
|
body being destitute of all concern for one another, or quarrelling
|
|
with each other. This is the apostle's scope in this argument. He
|
|
endeavours in it to suppress the proud, vaunting, and contentious
|
|
spirit, that had prevailed among the Corinthians, by reason of their
|
|
spiritual gifts.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
2. The variety of offices instituted by Christ, and gifts or favours
|
|
dispensed by him
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ro+12:28"><I>v.</I> 28</A>):
|
|
|
|
<I>God hath set some in the church; first, apostles,</I> the chief
|
|
ministers entrusted with all the powers necessary to found a church,
|
|
and make an entire revelation of God's will. <I>Secondarily,
|
|
prophets,</I> or persons enabled by inspiration, as the evangelists
|
|
did. <I>Thirdly, teachers,</I> those who labour in word and doctrine,
|
|
whether with pastoral charge or without it. After that,
|
|
<I>miracles,</I> or miracle-workers. <I>The gifts of healing,</I> or
|
|
those who had power to heal diseases; <I>helps,</I> or such as had
|
|
compassion on the sick and weak, and ministered to them;
|
|
<I>governments,</I> or such as had the disposal of the charitable
|
|
contributions of the church, and dealt them out to the poor;
|
|
<I>diversities of tongues,</I> or such as could speak divers languages.
|
|
Concerning all these observe,
|
|
|
|
(1.) The plenteous variety of these gifts and offices. What a multitude
|
|
are they! A good God was free in his communications to the primitive
|
|
church; he was no niggard of his benefits and favours. No, he provided
|
|
richly for them. They had no want, but a store-all that was necessary,
|
|
and even more; what was convenient for them too.
|
|
|
|
(2.) Observe the order of these offices and gifts. They are here placed
|
|
in their proper ranks. Those of most value have the first place.
|
|
Apostles, prophets, and teachers, were all intended to instruct the
|
|
people, to inform them well in the things of God, and promote their
|
|
spiritual edification: without them, neither evangelical knowledge nor
|
|
holiness could have been promoted. But the rest, however fitted to
|
|
answer the great intentions of Christianity, had no such immediate
|
|
regard to religion, strictly so called. Note, God does, and we should,
|
|
value things according to their real worth: and the use of things is
|
|
the best criterion of their real worth. Those are most valuable that
|
|
best answer the highest purposes. Such were apostolical powers,
|
|
compared with theirs who had only the gift of healing and miracles.
|
|
What holds the last and lowest rank in this enumeration is diversity of
|
|
tongues. It is by itself the most useless and insignificant of all
|
|
these gifts. Healing diseases, relieving the poor, helping the sick,
|
|
have their use: but how vain a thing is it to speak languages, if a man
|
|
does it merely to amuse or boast himself! This may indeed raise the
|
|
admiration, but cannot promote the edification, of the hearers, nor do
|
|
them any good. And yet it is manifest from
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ro+14:1-23"><I>ch.</I> xiv.</A>
|
|
|
|
that the Corinthians valued themselves exceedingly on this gift. Note,
|
|
How proper a method it is to beat down pride to let persons know the
|
|
true value of what they pride themselves in! It is but too common a
|
|
thing for men to value themselves most on what is least worth: and it
|
|
is of great use to bring them to a sober mind by letting them know how
|
|
much they are mistaken.
|
|
|
|
(3.) The various distribution of these gifts, not all to one, nor to
|
|
every one alike. All members and officers had not the same rank in the
|
|
church, nor the same endowments
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ro+12:29,30"><I>v.</I> 29, 30</A>):
|
|
|
|
<I>Are all apostles? Are all prophets?</I> This were to make the church
|
|
a monster: all one as if the body were all ear or all eye. Some are fit
|
|
for one office and employment, and some for another; and the Spirit
|
|
distributes to every one as he will. We must be content with our own
|
|
rank and share, if they be lower and less than those of others. We must
|
|
not be conceited of ourselves, and despise others, if we are in the
|
|
higher rank and have greater gifts. Every member of the body is to
|
|
preserve its own rank, and do its own office; and all are to minister
|
|
to one another, and promote the good of the body in general, without
|
|
envying, or despising, or neglecting, or ill-using, any one particular
|
|
member. How blessed a constitution were the Christian church, if all
|
|
the members did their duty!</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
II. He closes this chapter with an advice (as the generality read it)
|
|
and a hint.
|
|
|
|
1. An advice to covet the best gifts, <B><I>charismata ta
|
|
kreittona</I></B>--<I>dona potiora, præstantiora,</I> either the
|
|
most valuable in them selves or the most serviceable to others; and
|
|
these are, in truth, most valuable in themselves, though men may be apt
|
|
to esteem those most that will raise their fame and esteem highest.
|
|
Those are truly best by which God will be most honoured and his church
|
|
edified. Such gifts should be most earnestly coveted. Note, We should
|
|
desire that most which is best, and most worth. Grace is therefore to
|
|
be preferred before gifts; and, of gifts, those are to be preferred
|
|
which are of greatest use. But some read this passage, not as an
|
|
advice, but a charge: <B><I>zeloute,</I></B> <I>You are envious</I> at
|
|
each other's gifts. In
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ro+13:4"><I>ch.</I> xiii. 4</A>,
|
|
|
|
the same word is thus translated. You quarrel and contend about them.
|
|
This they certainly did. And this behaviour the apostle here
|
|
reprehends, and labours to rectify. <I>Only of pride cometh
|
|
contention.</I> These contests in the church of Corinth sprang from
|
|
this original. It was a quarrel about precedency (as most quarrels
|
|
among Christians are, with whatever pretences they are gilded over);
|
|
and it is no wonder that a quarrel about precedence should extinguish
|
|
charity. When all would stand in the first rank, no wonder if they
|
|
jostle, or throw down, or thrust back, their brethren. Gifts may be
|
|
valued for their use, but they are mischievous when made the fuel of
|
|
pride and contention. This therefore the apostle endeavours to prevent.
|
|
|
|
2. By giving them the hint of a more excellent way, namely, of charity,
|
|
of mutual love and good-will. This was the only right way to quiet and
|
|
cement them, and make their gifts turn to the advantage and edification
|
|
of the church. This would render them kind to each other, and concerned
|
|
for each other, and therefore calm their spirits, and put an end to
|
|
their little piques and contests, their disputes about precedency.
|
|
Those would appear to be in the foremost rank, according to the
|
|
apostle, who had most of true Christian love. Note, True charity is
|
|
greatly to be preferred to the most glorious gifts. To have the heart
|
|
glow with mutual love is vastly better than to glare with the most
|
|
pompous titles, offices, or powers.</P>
|
|
|
|
<!-- (End Body) -->
|
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<HR>
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<TABLE WIDTH="100%">
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<TR>
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<TD ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP">
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[<A HREF="MHC00000.HTM">Table of Contents</A>]<BR>
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[<A HREF="MHC46011.HTM">Previous</A>]
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[<A HREF="MHC46013.HTM">Next</A>]<BR>
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<TD ALIGN="RIGHT" VALIGN="TOP">
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Matthew Henry<BR><I>Commentary on the Whole Bible</I> (1721)
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</TABLE>
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