Post by Les Brewer on Dec 9, 2023 16:31:25 GMT
One Body By: Amy Boucher Pye
Click here for the Audio Message
If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honoured, every part rejoices with it.
1 Corinthians 12:26
Today's Scripture & Insight :
1 Corinthians 12:12–26
Richard Wurmbrand, a Romanian pastor, was imprisoned for his Christian faith for over a decade, including three years in solitary confinement. “When I was beaten on the bottom of my feet, my tongue cried out,” he remembered. “Why? . . . Because the tongue and feet are both part of the same body.” He referred to Paul’s letter to the church at Corinth, in which the apostle addressed the many problems of this new body of believers. For instance, some were suing each other, and others were tolerating sexual immorality.
Paul noted that there “should be no division in the body”, but each part “should have equal concern for each other. If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honoured, every part rejoices with it” (1 Corinthians 12:25–26). Paul sought unity among the believers; he wanted them to show concern for each other.
Wurmbrand endured beatings and imprisonment half a century ago, but believers still face persecution today. And if we are free to worship God, we too will suffer with them, in the language of Paul. We can commit to praying for these sisters and brothers, crying out to our God who makes us all one body. As we ask Him for their release, for strength and hope amid their suffering, we trust that He will hear and answer our prayers.
Reflect & Pray
How does learning about the suffering and pain of fellow Christians affect you? How could you pray for someone who is imprisoned for their faith today?
Saving Lord, thank You that You have the power and ability to bring freedom and release, even in what may seem to be an impossible situation.
SCRIPTURE INSIGHT
In 1 Corinthians 12:14–26, Paul uses the imagery of the human body as a picture of the family of believers, the church. In Ephesians 1:22–23, the apostle again uses the body to portray the church, but this time with an important addition. Jesus Himself is the Head of that body. The illustration that works so beautifully in 1 Corinthians 12 takes on added clarity with the reminder that the body works, moves, and functions under the leadership and guidance of the Head.
Bill Crowder
1 Corinthians 12:12-26
King James Version
12 For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ.
13 For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.
14 For the body is not one member, but many.
15 If the foot shall say, Because I am not the hand, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body?
16 And if the ear shall say, Because I am not the eye, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body?
17 If the whole body were an eye, where were the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where were the smelling?
18 But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him.
19 And if they were all one member, where were the body?
20 But now are they 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 members of the body, which we think to be less honourable, upon these we bestow more abundant honour; and our uncomely parts have more abundant comeliness.
24 For our comely parts have no need: but God hath tempered the body together, having given more abundant honour to that part which lacked.
25 That there should be no schism in the body; but that 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.
Click here for the Audio Message
If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honoured, every part rejoices with it.
1 Corinthians 12:26
Today's Scripture & Insight :
1 Corinthians 12:12–26
Richard Wurmbrand, a Romanian pastor, was imprisoned for his Christian faith for over a decade, including three years in solitary confinement. “When I was beaten on the bottom of my feet, my tongue cried out,” he remembered. “Why? . . . Because the tongue and feet are both part of the same body.” He referred to Paul’s letter to the church at Corinth, in which the apostle addressed the many problems of this new body of believers. For instance, some were suing each other, and others were tolerating sexual immorality.
Paul noted that there “should be no division in the body”, but each part “should have equal concern for each other. If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honoured, every part rejoices with it” (1 Corinthians 12:25–26). Paul sought unity among the believers; he wanted them to show concern for each other.
Wurmbrand endured beatings and imprisonment half a century ago, but believers still face persecution today. And if we are free to worship God, we too will suffer with them, in the language of Paul. We can commit to praying for these sisters and brothers, crying out to our God who makes us all one body. As we ask Him for their release, for strength and hope amid their suffering, we trust that He will hear and answer our prayers.
Reflect & Pray
How does learning about the suffering and pain of fellow Christians affect you? How could you pray for someone who is imprisoned for their faith today?
Saving Lord, thank You that You have the power and ability to bring freedom and release, even in what may seem to be an impossible situation.
SCRIPTURE INSIGHT
In 1 Corinthians 12:14–26, Paul uses the imagery of the human body as a picture of the family of believers, the church. In Ephesians 1:22–23, the apostle again uses the body to portray the church, but this time with an important addition. Jesus Himself is the Head of that body. The illustration that works so beautifully in 1 Corinthians 12 takes on added clarity with the reminder that the body works, moves, and functions under the leadership and guidance of the Head.
Bill Crowder
1 Corinthians 12:12-26
King James Version
12 For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ.
13 For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.
14 For the body is not one member, but many.
15 If the foot shall say, Because I am not the hand, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body?
16 And if the ear shall say, Because I am not the eye, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body?
17 If the whole body were an eye, where were the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where were the smelling?
18 But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him.
19 And if they were all one member, where were the body?
20 But now are they 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 members of the body, which we think to be less honourable, upon these we bestow more abundant honour; and our uncomely parts have more abundant comeliness.
24 For our comely parts have no need: but God hath tempered the body together, having given more abundant honour to that part which lacked.
25 That there should be no schism in the body; but that 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.
