Re: 1 Cor 12-14

Paul Dixon - Ladd Hill Bible Church (pauld@iclnet.org)
Wed, 8 Jan 1997 09:08:20 -0800 (PST)

Andrew:

If the ZHLOUTE of 14:1 is imperatival and if it resumes the ZHLOUTE of
12:31, with 13:1-13 being the development of the argument, then it would
seem the ZHLOUTE in 12:31 would also be imperatival.

This would make excellent sense as 12:31 would then be understood in light
of 13:1-13. 14:1, then, would be synthetically parallel to 12:31 and
would be the key to properly understanding that verse. This understanding
would then negate the force of your argument, that is, that understanding
12:31 imperativally would seem to go against what Paul had just said.
This argument fails because it still has to deal with the imperative of
14:1.

Paul S. Dixon, pastor
Ladd Hill Bible Church
Wilsonville, Oregon

On Wed, 8 Jan 1997, Andrew Kulikovsky wrote:

> Following is a message I sent to Ellen off list a couple of days ago.
> Here it is for the benefit of the list...
>
> --
>
> Hi Ellen!
>
> Concerning your question on B-GREEK regarding 1 Cor 12:31, it is
> important to note that ch. 12, 13 and 14 form one big argument or
> response by Paul to the Corinthian church. Understanding the literary
> and historical context is vitally important here. Paul is responding
> to a question or comment they made in their letter to him (which we
> don't have) Note that Ch 12 begins: PERI DE TWN PNEUMATIKWN (Now about
> spiritual gifts) - this is what Paul is talking about in these chapters.
> You should note the meaning of PNEUMATIKWN (nom. PNEUMATIKOS). This is
> generally used by Paul simply as 'spiritual'. Where it is used as
> 'spiritual gift' the word XARISMA (gift) is present. The only places
> PNEUMATIKOS is rendered as spiritual gift is 1 Cor 12:31 and 14:1 and
> 14:37 - all in this passage! Therefore I do not believe this is a good
> rendering. Better is "Now about spiritual matters" or "Now about
> spiritual manifestations". Avoid using 'gift' because it just causes
> confusion.
>
> Now with the basic theme sorted out, I think 12:31 makes much more
> sense. You said your friend believes the gifts are ranked but looking
> at the immediate context of 12:31 this is not possible. The questions
> from v. 29-30 begin with MH which means they are to be answered in the
> negative - Are all apostles? No! etc.
>
> ZHLOUTE could be an imperative or an indicative. If its an imperative
> (a command) then it would go against everything Paul has just said.
> In the previous few paragraphs he uses the body analogy to show that
> every person and every gift is important! There is no hierarchy. Paul
> has just stated that not everyone is an apostle, not everyone is a
> prophet, not everyone is a teacher - so why would he go and tell them
> to desire these gifts - there is nothing wrong with the gift they have.
> Every gift is important.
>
> Remember that Paul is responding to a question or comment so I think
> he is using their terminology - "But you are desiring (indicative) the
> greater gifts" - greater in their eyes, but not in God's.
>
> The last verse in ch 12 seals it: And now I will show you the most
> excellent way. Why would Paul *command* them to do something and then
> say "Oh but here is the best way..." - that doesn't make sense!
>
> There seems to be a problem in Cor church with misusing or abusing
> gifts. People *were* ranking gifts and pushing themselves. This is what
> Paul is trying to correct hence Ch 13 - a lesson on love.
>
> For 14:1, try this translation: "Follow the way of love and eagerly
> desire spirituality (or 'spiritual manifestations'), especially that you
> may prophesy."
>
> I think this is much clearer, is true to the Greek and fits nicely into
> Pauls overall argument.
>
> Same with 14:37: "If anyone thinks he is a prophet or a spiritual man,
> let him acknowledge...."
>
> Sorry for going on, but I hope this helps.
>
> cheers,
> Andrew
>
> +-----------------------------------------------------------------------
> | Andrew S. Kulikovsky B.App.Sc(Hons) MACS
> |
> | Software Engineer
> | & Theology Student (MA)
> | Adelaide, Australia
> | ph: +618 8281 0919
> | fax: +618 8281 6231
> | email: killer@cobweb.com.au
> |
> | What's the point of gaining everything this world has
> | to offer, if you lose your own life in the end?
> |
> | ...Look to Jesus Christ
> |
> | hO IESOUS KURIOS!
> +-----------------------------------------------------------------------
>