1 Corinthians 12:27-31: a reflection

27Now you are the body of Christ, and members individually. 28God has set some in the assembly: first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracle workers, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, and various kinds of languages. 29Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Are all miracle workers? 30Do all have gifts of healings? Do all speak with various languages? Do all interpret? 31But earnestly desire the best gifts. Moreover, I show a most excellent way to you.

Paul reminds the Corinthians that they are the body of Christ, and each of them individually a part of it. And he stresses the diversity of gifts and roles: some are apostles, some prophets, some teachers, some workers of miracles, some helpers, some administrators. Are all apostles? he asks; are all prophets? Are all teachers? The expected answer is no. The body is made of diverse parts with diverse gifts; not everyone has the same role, and that is by God's design. And then he points beyond the gifts to a more excellent way: love.

Notice Paul's point about the diversity of gifts. The body is not made of identical parts all doing the same thing; it is made of diverse members with diverse gifts and roles, each contributing differently. Not everyone is an apostle, or a teacher, or a worker of miracles; God has given different gifts to different members, and the body needs this diversity. To wish that everyone had the same gift, or to feel that our own gift is lesser because it differs from another's, misses God's design of a body with diverse and complementary parts.

That truth is worth taking to heart in how we regard our own gifts and those of others. We can envy the gifts of others, wishing we had their role rather than our own; or we can undervalue our own gift because it differs from another's, seemingly less prominent. But God has designed the body with diverse gifts, and each has its place; your gift, whatever it is, is part of God's design for the body, and needed. Do not envy another's gift, or undervalue your own; receive the gift God has given you, and use it in its place in the body, without wishing to be a different part. And above all the gifts, pursue the more excellent way Paul points to: love. Gifts differ, and each has its place; but love is the more excellent way, in which all are to walk. Use your gift faithfully in its place, and pursue love above all, as the more excellent way.

Lord, Paul reminds the Corinthians that they are the body of Christ, with diverse gifts and roles, some apostles, some prophets, some teachers, some helpers; not all the same, but each contributing differently by your design; and he points beyond the gifts to a more excellent way, love. Take that truth to my heart in how I regard my own gifts and those of others. I can envy the gifts of others, wishing I had their role rather than my own; or I can undervalue my own gift because it differs from another's, seemingly less prominent. But you have designed the body with diverse gifts, and each has its place; my gift, whatever it is, is part of your design and needed. Keep me from envying another's gift, or undervaluing my own; help me receive the gift you have given me, and use it in its place in the body, without wishing to be a different part. And above all the gifts, help me pursue the more excellent way you point to: love. Gifts differ, and each has its place; but love is the more excellent way, in which all are to walk. Help me use my gift faithfully in its place, and pursue love above all, Lord, as the more excellent way.