1st Corinthians – Spiritual Gifts and Body Life

December 20, 2008

Paul addresses spiritual gifts in the twelfth chapter of First Corinthians. He knows the Church does not realize their low level of spiritual maturity; but their arrogant, impatient and factious ways indict them. So misguided is this Church that they act against the teachings of both Paul and the Council of Jerusalem. This chapter showcases him again pleading with the people like they are close family members.

He knows that the Corinthians have a good foundation of catechesis, but that many are either practicing dead-letter religion or are misappropriating their gifts. He addresses this by reiterating that all who are of Christ receive spiritual gifts and they must be exercised for the common good. A variety of gifts among individuals in a community provide the essential elements of Christian life. He lists numerous gifts, but "all […] are inspired by one and the same Spirit, who appropriations to each one individually as he wills. For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ" (v 11-12). Paul’s language makes one question whether this factious Church was marginalizing individuals who had particular spiritual gifts as less important than those with other gifts. He stresses the equality of the people of God, for "the parts of the body which seem to be weaker are indispensable" (v. 22). Because the members of the Corinthian Church are one body, Paul chastises them for their disunity and urges them to love one another.

A loving, family life is so characteristic of genuine Christian life, as expressed in the thirteenth chapter. Sadly, this type of love is so uncharacteristic of modern Catholicism in America. Paul exhorts the Corinthian Church to this love and what love is and what it is not (cf. v. 4-8). He also makes it clear that they must all love more genuinely.

Music: Moritz Moszkowski’s 3 Moments Musicaux Op. 7 – Tranquillo e semplice, from the album Moments Musicaux, performed by Elizabeth Wolff. www.magnatune.com

  • /
Update Required
To play the media you will need to either update your browser to a recent version or update your Flash plugin.

Download MP3 (46:04; 26 MB)

Matthew Lecture 27 – The Lord’s Prayer, Part I

February 27, 2024

Matthew Lecture 26 – Pray This Way

February 20, 2024

Matthew Lecture 25 – The Christian Ethic

February 13, 2024

Matthew Lecture 24 – Antitheses, Part II

January 30, 2024

Matthew Lecture 23 – Antitheses, Part I

January 23, 2024

Matthew Lecture 22 – The Beatitudes

January 16, 2024

Matthew Lecture 21 – The Sermon on the Mount, Part III

December 19, 2023

Matthew Lecture 20 – The Sermon on the Mount, Part II

December 12, 2023

Matthew Lecture 19 – The Sermon on the Mount, Part I

December 5, 2023

Matthew Lecture 18 – Calling the Apostles

November 14, 2023

Matthew Lecture 17 – The Arrest of John

November 7, 2023

Matthew Lecture 16 – The Baptism – Part III

October 30, 2023

Matthew Lecture 15 – The Baptism – Part II

October 23, 2023

Matthew Lecture 16 – The Baptism – Part III

October 16, 2023

Matthew Lecture 14 – The Baptism – Part I

October 16, 2023

Matthew Lecture 13 – Sons of Abraham

October 3, 2023

Matthew Lecture 12 – Prepare the Way

September 26, 2023

Matthew Lecture 11 – The Essenes

September 12, 2023

Matthew Lecture 10 – The Kingdom of Heaven

September 5, 2023

Matthew Lecture 9 – John the Baptist

August 29, 2023

Matthew Lecture 8 – A Real Savior

August 21, 2023

Matthew Lecture 7 – Star of Wonder

August 8, 2023

Matthew Lecture 6 – The Hasmoneans

August 1, 2023

Matthew Lecture 6 – The Hasmoneans

August 1, 2023

Matthew Lecture 6 – The Hasmoneans

August 1, 2023

Matthew Lecture 6 – The Hasmoneans

August 1, 2023

Matthew Lecture 6 – The Hasmoneans

August 1, 2023

Matthew Lecture 6 – The Hasmoneans

August 1, 2023