November 21, 2014
1 Corinthians 11-14
Here is Paul’s most extensive treatise on the “Gifts of the Holy Spirit” as they relate to public worship. It might be better to say: Here is Paul’s most extensive treatise on “Public Worship,” with a special look at “Spiritual Gifts.”
Women in Leadership. Chapter 11 begins by dealing with the participation of women in public worship. It’s most famous as the reason some church require women to wear “head coverings,” but if you read closely, you see that Paul is simply giving proper guidance to women who “pray or prophesy” in the assembly!
The Lord’s Supper. Chapter 11 addresses the need for propriety and self-examination when coming to the Lord’s Table. Not of this, however, should be used to turn the Eucharist (thanksgiving!) into a dry, unfeeling, somber affair. In Communion, we celebrate Jesus work on our behalf!
Spiritual Gifts. Chapters 12-14 address the issue of Spiritual Gifts. Chapter 12 seems to be addressing gifts from a wider vantage. All the gifts are needed for building up the church; therefore each member of the body is important and must use their gift, but never as a badge of honor or a source of pride. Chapter 13 places the Fruit of the Spirit above the Gifts of the Spirit; if we practice the greatest of the gifts without the fruit of love, it is nothing. Finally, in chapter 14, Paul deals with the use of Spiritual Gifts in public worship, where words that are understood are much more important than words that are not understood. Paul is not dismissing “speaking in tongues,” but he is limiting its use in public worship and giving us valuable principles for orderly worship, all at the same time.
Your fellow traveler through the New Testament,
Pastor Gary
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