5 - The community as Christ's body in 1 Corinthians 12

Summary

The previous chapters have described the Stoic bodily unity of humanity and the way in which this formed the basis for their social ethics. This chapter will demonstrate that in 1 Cor. 12 Paul similarly establishes the identity of the community according to the bodily unity of the community. However, it will also be important to notice the divergence from Stoicism, especially the ultimate source of bodily unity – Christ – and the community's relationship to the eschatological age. Since the coming of Christ has resulted in a new age, Paul is not concerned with the Stoics' universal humanity, but a “new” humanity composed of those who have been transformed through Christ.

As a result, 1 Cor. 12 is primarily a statement of the Corinthians' identity as Christ's body. This identity provides the “principle” on which Paul will base his “precepts” in ch. 14, as similarly seen in the way bodily oneness forms the foundation for Stoic social ethics.

Structure of 1 Corinthians 12

The following proposed structure highlights the relationship between Christ and the Corinthians as his body.

1. Introduction (12:1–3) – spiritual existence as being under the Lordship of Christ

2. A (12:4–11) – the Corinthians as recipients of diverse manifestations of the Spirit, to be used for what is advantageous

3. B (12:12–26) – Christ/the church as characterized by unity and diversity, just like a human body

4. A′ (12:27–30) – the Corinthians as diverse members of the body of Christ, appointed by God in the ekklesia

Paul begins in 12:1–3 by making the crucial point that “spiritual existence” is related to Christ's Lordship.