Metaphysical Bible Interpretation of I Corinthians Chapter 12
Metaphysically Interpreting I Corinthians 12:1-11
12:1Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I would not have you ignorant. 12:2Ye know that when ye were Gentiles ye were led away unto those dumb idols, howsoever ye might led. 12:3Wherefore I make known unto you, that no man speaking in the Spirit of God saith, Jesus is anathema; and no man can say, Jesus is Lord, but in the Holy Spirit. 12:4Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit.
12:5And there are diversities of ministrations, and the same Lord. 12:6And there are diversities of workings, but the same God, who worketh all things in all. 12:7But to each one is given the manifestation of the Spirit to profit withal. 12:8For to one is given through the Spirit the word of wisdom; and to another the word of knowledge, according to the same Spirit: 12:9to another faith, in the same Spirit; and to another gifts of healings, in the one Spirit; 12:10and to another workings of miracles; and to another prophecy; and to another discernings of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; and to another the interpretation of tongues: 12:11but all these worketh the one and the same Spirit, dividing to each one severally even as he will.
October 14, 1928: I Cor. 12:4-7
In man's original creation did God give gifts to one that He did not give to another? No. “God is no respecter of persons.” God has given all His attributes to man; it rests with each individual whether he expresses them or not.
Is the translation correct of verses 5 and 6 in chapter 12 of the lesson today? The translation is not correct. It conveys the impression that God is partial in His gifts to man. The fact is that in Spirit all of us have the same potentialities awaiting our recognition. This was evidently understood by Paul, and according to the translation given by Ferrer Fenton in his “Complete Bible in Modern English” Paul says: “And there are different talents, but the same Spirit; and there are different offices through the same Lord; and there are different energies, but the same God energizing everything in them all. And to each one is given the manifestation of the Spirit for mutual benefit.”
[TruthUnity Editor's note: the NRSV translation of verses 4-6 is:]
Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; and there are varieties of services, but the same Lord; and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who activates all of them in everyone.
December 3, 1944: I Cor. 12:4-7
Can those whose “gifts” or inherent talents are diverse show the same Spirit? All may have the same Spirit, the desire to know the truth and to live accordingly, irrespective of differences in inherent talents or traits. Truth belongs everywhere, and no legitimate activity or bent can be outside its field.
Metaphysically Interpreting I Corinthians 12:12-31
12:12For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of the body, being many, are one body; so also is Christ. 12:13For in one Spirit were we all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, whether bond or free; and were all made to drink of one Spirit.
12:14For the body is not one member, but many. 12:15If the foot shall say, Because I am not the hand, I am not of the body; it is not therefore not of the body. 12:16And if the ear shall say, Because I am not the eye, I am not of the body; it is not therefore not of the body. 12:17If the whole body were an eye, where were the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where were the smelling? 12:18But now hath God set the members each one of them in the body, even as it pleased him. 12:19And if they were all one member, where were the body? 12:20But now they are many members, but one body. 12:21And the eye cannot say to the hand, I have no need of thee: or again the head to the feet, I have no need of you. 12:22Nay, much rather, those members of the body which seem to be more feeble are necessary: 12:23and those parts of the body, which we think to be less honorable, upon these we bestow more abundant honor; and our uncomely parts have more abundant comeliness; 12:24whereas our comely parts have no need: but God tempered the body together, giving more abundant honor to that part which lacked; 12:25that there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another. 12:26And whether one member suffereth, all the members suffer with it; or one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it.
12:27Now ye are the body of Christ, and severally members thereof. 12:28And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondly prophets, thirdly teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, divers kinds of tongues. 12:29Are all apostles? are all prophets? are all teachers? are all workers of miracles? 12:30have all gifts of healings? do all speak with tongues? do all interpret? 12:31But desire earnestly the greater gifts. And moreover a most excellent way show I unto you.
December 3, 1944: I Cor. 12:12-13
Why is Christ likened to the body? Because the Christ is the embodiment of all divine ideas, such as intelligence, life, love, substance, and strength. The Christ, the perfect man idea existing eternally in Divine Mind, is the true, spiritual, higher, self of every individual. This self is an entity as truly as the physical body is an entity.
May 15, 1921: I Cor. 12:14-27
In Truth, how many bodies are there? Just as there is only one grand Man of the universe, so there is only one body of the universe, each individual being a member of that body. Therefore, the body of Christ cannot attain a perfect expression until each member, each individual, is spiritually quickened, and puts on the Christ perfection.
How is each one's place in the grand body of the universe determined? “Now hath God set the members each one of them in the body, even as it pleased him.” However, each member is of equal importance in the sight of the Father; the more humble and lowly one's attitude in the sight of God, the more honor is bestowed upon him.
How is the body of Christ tempered together? As the “single eye” sheds its rays of light through the whole body, through Christ, so God’s love yoked with wisdom, penetrates into every part and tempers and binds together all its members.
What would be the result if “schisms” were allowed to enter into the body of Christ? Discord and inharmony would result, followed by disintegration and decay. But because of the undeviating principles upon which the universe is founded, this can never take place. Only that which is upbuilding, constructive, and in harmony with the law, can enter into the eternal plans of the Creator.
What relation do our bodies bear to the universal Christ body? Our bodies are fashioned after the Christ body. As each cell of our body has within it the potentialities of the whole body, so are we potential Christs, and our bodies may be raised to the universal Christ body and become fit members of it, through following the law of God as did Jesus.
Transcribed by Lloyd Kinder on 11-16-2013
