Meaning of 1 Corinthians 14:12

This verse from 1 Corinthians 14:12, "So it is with you. Since you are eager for gifts of the Spirit, try to excel in those that build up the church," addresses the Corinthian believers' enthusiasm for spiritual gifts and directs them toward a crucial principle: the edification of the community. Paul is not discouraging the pursuit of spiritual gifts, but rather reorienting their desire. The emphasis is on the purpose and impact of these gifts, urging them to prioritize those manifestations of the Spirit that contribute to the spiritual growth, encouragement, and strengthening of the entire body of Christ, rather than those that might serve primarily individualistic or boastful ends.

Context and Background

The Corinthian church was a vibrant community, but it was also marked by internal divisions and a somewhat immature understanding of spiritual gifts. In chapter 14, Paul is addressing the disruptive use of tongues and prophecy in their worship services. The Corinthians seemed to have a particular fascination with the gift of tongues, perhaps viewing it as a sign of superior spirituality. However, when exercised without interpretation, tongues were unintelligible to the majority of attendees, leading to confusion and a lack of spiritual benefit for the assembly. Paul's instruction in verse 12 is a direct response to this situation, calling for a more discerning and community-oriented approach to the exercise of spiritual gifts.

Key Themes and Messages

• Purposeful Pursuit of Gifts: The verse acknowledges the Corinthian believers' eagerness for spiritual gifts, recognizing that the Spirit dispenses these for the benefit of the church. However, it immediately qualifies this eagerness with a directive: "try to excel in those that build up the church." This highlights the importance of intentionality and discernment in spiritual pursuits.
• Edification as the Primary Goal: The central concept is edification (Greek: oikodomē), which literally means "building up a house." This refers to the spiritual construction, strengthening, and growth of the church. Gifts are to be exercised in a way that nourishes and uplifts fellow believers.
• Discernment in Gift Usage: Paul implicitly calls for discernment. Not all manifestations of spiritual gifts are equally beneficial to the corporate assembly. Some gifts, while potentially impressive, may not contribute to the common good. The focus shifts from the spectacle of a gift to its constructive outcome.
• Community Over Individualism: The verse underscores the communal nature of the church. Individual spiritual experiences or gifts are valuable only insofar as they contribute to the well-being and growth of the collective body.

Spiritual Significance and Application

For believers today, this verse remains a foundational principle for understanding and exercising spiritual gifts. It encourages a mature approach that prioritizes the health and growth of the church community over individualistic displays of spiritual prowess. When discerning the use of spiritual gifts, whether it be prophecy, teaching, administration, or any other, the question should always be: "Does this act serve to build up the body of Christ?" This principle applies to all areas of church life and ministry, fostering an environment of mutual encouragement and spiritual development. It calls for humility and a focus on service rather than self-promotion.

Relation to the Broader Biblical Narrative

The concept of building up the church is a recurring theme throughout the New Testament. Ephesians 4:11-12, for instance, states that Christ gave apostles, prophets, evangelists, and pastors and teachers "to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature." This verse in Corinthians directly aligns with this broader Pauline theology of the church as a unified, growing body, actively engaged in mutual ministry. The Old Testament also contains precedents for community building and the importance of God's people functioning together for His glory.

Analogies

• Construction Site: Imagine a construction site where various skilled workers are present. While each worker has their unique tools and expertise (spiritual gifts), the ultimate goal is to build a strong, functional building (the church). A hammer is useful for driving nails, but it's not effective for laying bricks. The foreman (Paul, in this analogy) guides the workers to use their skills in the most effective way for the overall project.
• Orchestra: A symphony orchestra has many different instruments, each with its distinct sound. A virtuoso violinist may produce beautiful solos, but the orchestra's true power and beauty come from the harmonious blending of all instruments working together under the conductor's direction to create a magnificent piece of music. The goal is the unified, beautiful composition, not just the individual brilliance of one instrument.

Relation to Other Verses

• 1 Corinthians 12:7: "Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good." This verse directly precedes chapter 14 and establishes the foundational principle that spiritual gifts are given for the benefit of all.
• Ephesians 4:12, 16: As mentioned, these verses speak of equipping the saints for ministry and the body being built up through "every supporting ligament" when each part is working properly.
• Romans 14:19: "So then, let us pursue the things which make for peace and the building up of one another." This verse echoes the sentiment of prioritizing peace and edification in interpersonal relationships within the Christian community.
• 1 Thessalonians 5:11: "Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing." This shows that encouragement and building up are ongoing actions expected of believers.