For the Common Good

This morning I am reflecting on verses from Paul's letter to the 1 Corinthians 12:1,3-11 NIV:

[1] "Now about the gifts of the Spirit, brothers and sisters, I do not want you to be uninformed. [3] Therefore I want you to know that no one who is speaking by the Spirit of God says, “Jesus be cursed,” and no one can say, “Jesus is Lord,” except by the Holy Spirit."

[4] "There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them. [5] There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. [6] There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone it is the same God at work. [7] Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. [8] To one there is given through the Spirit a message of wisdom, to another a message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit, [9] to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, [10] to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of tongues, and to still another the interpretation of tongues. [11] All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he distributes them to each one, just as he determines."

Verses 4-6 caught my eye this morning, and I thought I would do  bit more research.  The words used here are a bit limiting.  The Greek words would be more commonly translated Charisms (gifts),  Ministries, and results or works.  Verse 7 is key - in that it tells why they are given, namely "for the common good".  In other words, all of these ministries and gifts, works and manifestations are for the good of each other, of the greater Body of Christ.  The phrase "For the common good", is translated from the Greek word sumphero, which could also be defined as follows:

1) to bear or bring together
2) to bear together or at the same time
    a) to carry with others
    b) to collect or contribute in order to help
    c) to help, be profitable, be expedient

Thus, the common good, should be understood in a richer context.  It means to bear together, to carry with others, in order to help and bring about profit, or maybe we could say more fruit.  There is a community perspective here, a willingness to help and share, to carry and distribute.  I am reminded of the distribution of funds that occurred early in Acts (see Acts 4:32-35), and I believe this is a similar perspective, but in this case it is how God means for us to respond to the working of the Holy Spirit in our lives.  We are supposed to share the load, help each other carry and distribute, ad this relates to ministries, gifts, workings and manifestations of the Holy Spirit. All of this is for the purpose of building up the Body of Christ.

Paul writes this same thing in his letter tot he church in Ephesus - Ephesians 4:11-13 NIV:

[11] "So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, [12] to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up [13] until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ."

We often stop with verse 11, but it is verse 12 that tells us why Christ gave us the Apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers, it was to equip His people (us) for works of service (which is the same Greek word used in 1 Cor 12:5).  There is this whole perspective that we are meant to lift each other up, to encourage one another, to cheer each other on, and its for our own good!  All of the Holy Spirit stuff, meaning the gifts, manifestations, ministries and works, are meant to help us grow and mature, and meant to benefit us all!  God is about forming and maturing His Body here on earth, and we need to learn to be for each other, understanding that we need every church, every believer, every gift, every ministry, every result!!!

Lord, I pray that You will open our ears and hearts to this message of unity and common good.  Help us to be for our brothers and sisters, lifting them up and encouraging them in all the unique ways You are at work!  Lord, help us to be for each other, all the parts of Your Body!

Amen!