Глава 12

1 Corinthians 12:1. I do not want to leave you, brothers, in ignorance about spiritual gifts. “But concerning the spiritual, brethren, I do not want to mislead you.” In ancient times, those who received Divine preaching and were granted saving baptism were clearly given the effectiveness of spiritual grace; and some began to speak in different languages, which they did not know by nature and which they did not learn from others; others performed miracles, healed diseases; others received the prophetic gift and predicted the future, and sometimes made it obvious what was happening in secret, revealing the power of the grace dwelling in them. For, when the majority of people were enslaved by demonic delusion and suffered from a general illness, it would have been impossible for these ignorant people living in poverty to believe and learn the truth so easily if Divine grace had not clearly revealed itself and presented miracles, as if as a guarantee of faith. The Corinthians, along with other believers in the universe, used these gifts, but they did not use what was given to them as they should. For out of curiosity they demonstrated the effectiveness of grace rather than out of need. What primarily inflated them with their arrogance was the gift of tongues; and, although there was neither a listener nor an interpreter, they spoke in different dialects; and they did it out of order, but at one time two, three and four. The grace of the Spirit gave the divine apostles the knowledge of languages, because those who became teachers of all nations had to know the dialects of all, in order to teach everyone the gospel sermon in their own dialect. That is why the blessed Paul wrote about this, teaching the Corinthians proper decorum. 1 Corinthians 12:2. You know that when you were pagans, you went to silent idols, as if they were leading you. “We know that when you are unfaithful, you are led by a dumb idol.” Due to the great brevity, this is said unclearly. The Apostle wants to both expose the discord in Hellenic fables and show the truth of piety. For the demons, having delighted and applied to themselves the name “god,” led people into great error, because, having turned away from the straight path and leaving the true God, they began to give Divine honor to many and thought that not every god could do everything, but they recognized one as the giver of wisdom, another as the giver of military experience, and another as the giver of nautical skill. This is what the divine Apostle expressed in what he said, namely: before you accepted the light of piety, still serving a lie, like the dumb, you were led here and there, being enslaved by the charms of insensitive idols. 1 Corinthians 12:3. Therefore I tell you that no one speaking by the Spirit of God will pronounce anathema against Jesus, and no one can call Jesus Lord except by the Holy Spirit. “The same I tell you, for no one speaks by the Spirit of God, utters the anathema of Jesus, and no one can utter the Lord Jesus, but by the Holy Spirit.” But we have the greatest agreement and unanimity. For the Only Begotten Son teaches nothing else, but the All-Holy Spirit teaches another; but just as the Lord Christ taught about the dignity of the All-Holy Spirit in the Divine Gospel, so the Divine Spirit preached about His sovereignty. And in whom the Divine Spirit acts, it is impossible to say that Christ is alien to the Divine nature; It is also impossible for anyone to sincerely confess Him as God except to one enlightened by grace. 1 Corinthians 12:4. There are different gifts, but the same Spirit 1 Corinthians 12:5. And the services are different, but the Lord is the same. 1 Corinthians 12:6. And the actions are different, but God is one and the same, producing everything in everyone. “The divisions of gifts are, and so is the Spirit! and divisions of services are the essence, and so is the Lord! and divisions of actions are the essence, and God is the same, acting all in all.” In these words, the Apostle clearly revealed to us the purpose of what he said, for he showed that the gifts given are numerous and varied, but their Source is one. One and the same thing, he says, is given by the All-Holy Spirit, and by the Lord, and by God the Father. For he called the same gifts gifts, and ministries, and actions. They are called “gifts” because they are given through the generosity of God, and ministries because they are given through people assigned to this sacred service. So in the Epistle to the Romans the Apostle said: “Because I am an Apostle with my tongue, I glorify my service” (Rom. 11:13); and Timothy writes in one place: “Do your ministry known” (2 Tim. 4:5); and in another: “I remember you to kindle the gift of God” (2 Tim. 1:6). And he also called gifts “actions,” as those that receive effectiveness from the Divine nature. For the Apostle did not say that, as other foolish heretics assumed, that some things are brought into effect by the Spirit, and others by the God of all; on the contrary, he showed that the giver of the same gifts is the Holy Trinity; and this he teaches more clearly in subsequent words. For, having said here that God acts, a little lower he says: “But all these things work in one and the same Spirit, distributing power to each as he wills” (2 Tim. 1:11). Therefore, in this place the divine Apostle wrote this, bearing in mind the Hellenic opinions and showing their disagreement, and moreover, consoling those who received, as they themselves thought, lesser gifts and teaching that both those and other gifts are given by the same Spirit. And the words that follow make this clear. 1 Corinthians 12:7. But everyone is given the manifestation of the Spirit for their benefit. “The manifestation of the Spirit is given for the benefit of everyone.” The Apostle did not say: “grace is given,” but: “appearance,” because even now to those who have been worthy of all-holy baptism, grace is given, but not clearly; and then they immediately began to speak in different languages ​​and perform miracles, by which they were taught and confirmed that the teaching was true. Out of necessity, the Apostle said that the manifestation of the Spirit is beneficial, encouraging the saddened Corinthians and teaching that He who knows everything clearly and knows what is useful for whom, rules all with wisdom. 1 Corinthians 12:8. To one is given the word of wisdom by the Spirit, and to another the word of understanding, about the same Spirit. The Apostle does not call “the word of wisdom” eloquence, but true teaching, the grace of which was received by the divine Apostle himself, and by the God-wise Evangelist John, and by the most divine supreme of the Apostles, Peter, and by the first of the martyrs, Blessed Stephen. For the fishermen, who feed on the labor of their hands and do not know how to read and write, could not dare to speak and write publicly, even to fulfill their words and writings with the greatest possible power, if they had not received true wisdom from the Divine Spirit. Others of those who believed, although they had knowledge of the Divine dogmas, were not, like them, able to speak to the people. And this was a gift of the grace of the Spirit. 1 Corinthians 12:9. to another faith by the same Spirit; to others gifts of healings by the same Spirit. “To another is faith, by the same Spirit.” “Faith” here the Apostle does not call the general faith, but that about which he speaks a little lower: “and if I am the whole faith, even the mountains are removed” (1 Cor. 13:2). For, due to the prevailing unbelief, many such amazing miracles were performed and they led the infidels to the truth. “To another the gift of healing, about the same Dus.” The apostle means healing the sick, walking the lame, and giving light to those deprived of sight. For this also happened at that time, and the history of Acts is a witness to this. Thus, it is said about the God-wise Peter that many sick people were laid on the hay “on their beds, so that the coming Peter may still overshadow someone from them” (Acts 5:15); and about the divine Paul, that the sweat of his clothes drove away diseases (Acts 19:12). 1 Corinthians 12:10. to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another discerning of spirits, to another divers tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. “To another the actions of forces.” This gift often imposed punishments, such as deprivation of light on Elymas, and premature death on Ananias and Sapphira. “To another is prophecy.” And many were partakers of this gift, not only men, but also wives. And this is clearly taught by the history of Acts. “To another, reasoning in the spirit.” Since at that time there were also soothsayers deceiving people, then the Divine Spirit and such a certain grace were given to others to convict those possessed by an opposing spirit. “To another give birth to tongues.” We said something about this gift before. The Apostle gave last place to this gift, and first place to the gift of teaching, because for both of these gifts others were given, so that preaching would be acceptable with faith. “To another the tales of tongues.” And this was a spiritual gift. For often one who knew only the Hellenic language, when another spoke in Scythian and Thracian, translated it to those listening. Meanwhile, the Apostle added the words everywhere: “by the same Spirit,” “by the same Spirit,” teaching this that the streams are different, but the source is undoubtedly one. But he didn’t recognize this as sufficient, but added: 1 Corinthians 12:11. Yet all these things are done by one and the same Spirit, distributing to each one individually, as He pleases. “But all this acts by one and the same Spirit, dividing power to each as he wills.” With all this the Apostle consoles those who have received lesser gifts, teaching them that these too are gifts of God’s Spirit, and the Spirit of God gives as He pleases; what is useful to Him is pleasing. For this is what the Apostle said above: “The manifestation of the Spirit is given to everyone to benefit.” Therefore, he did not simply say: “Spirit,” but: “one and the same Spirit,” teaching that not one is one, and another is another, but both are of one Spirit. Then he uses similitude, showing the invisible visible. 1 Corinthians 12:12. For just as the body is one, but has many members, and all the members of one body, although there are many, constitute one body, so is Christ. “Just as there is one body, and there are many bodies, but all the parts of one body, being many, are one body: so is Christ.” The Apostle here called the general body of the Church Christ, because the head of this body is the Lord Christ. Therefore, the Apostle commands us to look at the body and recognize that although it is composed of different members, yet there is one body and is called one, and from this we can also learn that the Church, although called the body of the Lord Christ, nevertheless has many and different members, and of these, some are more important, others are less important, some are superior in honor, others are inferior, however, all are necessary and useful. But it also teaches why all of us, believers, are called one body. 1 Corinthians 12:13. For we were all baptized into one body by one Spirit, Jew or Greek, slave or free, and we were all given one Spirit to drink. “For by one Spirit we are baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free: and we have all been imbued with one Spirit.” By the One Spirit we have all been renewed, we have all been granted the same gift in baptism, we have equally received the remission of sins, we are equally partaking of the Divine Mysteries. Therefore we make up one body, although we have different members in it. For the Apostle said this with the words: “We are baptized into one body”; that is, they were baptized in order to form one body. 1 Corinthians 12:14. The body is not made of one member, but of many. “For the body is not one, but many.” The body is not a simple thing, but composed of many parts. 1 Corinthians 12:15. If the leg says: I do not belong to the body because I am not a hand, then does it really not belong to the body? 1 Corinthians 12:16. And if the ear says: I do not belong to the body, because I am not an eye, then does it really not belong to the body? “If the foot says that the hand is not from the body, food is not from the body for this reason? And if the ear says, “I am not from the eye, I am not from the body: for this reason food is not from the body?” The Apostle admonishes those who have again received lesser gifts not to be upset, but to love what they have been given. For if you perform the function not of the hands, but of the feet, and if you perform the service not of the eye, but of the ear, you should know that this is also necessary for the body. 1 Corinthians 12:17. If the whole body is eyes, then where is the hearing? If everything is hearing, then where is the sense of smell? “If the whole body is an eye, where is the hearing? If it’s all just hearing, where’s the hoot?” If the whole body begins to have one member, the most honorable one, then it will, without a doubt, be good for nothing, as if it is devoid of other members. 1 Corinthians 12:18. But God arranged the members, each one within the body, as He pleased. “Now God put the ouds, one of them in the body, as He willed.” And this was enough to convince the grieving person to love what was given. For if God divided the effective forces into the parts of the body, then he who does not remain within the prescribed limits goes directly contrary to the One who set these limits. However, this Apostle also showed the equality of God and the Spirit, because about the Spirit he said: “all this works as it will,” and about God: “put the oud as you will.” 1 Corinthians 12:19. And if everyone had one member, where would the body be? 1 Corinthians 12:20. But now there are many members, but one body. “If it were all one, where is the body?” “Now we are many, but there is one body.” For a body would be useless if it did not have differences in its members. After this, the Apostle teaches those who have already received the highest gifts not to despise others, but to honor them as necessary members. 1 Corinthians 12:21. The eye cannot tell the hand: I don’t need you; or also head to feet: I don’t need you. 1 Corinthians 12:22. On the contrary, the members of the body that seem weakest are much more needed. 1 Corinthians 12:23. And those who seem to us less noble in body, we take more care of. “The eye cannot say to the hand: You do not need me! or again the head of the nogama: you don’t need me. But much more than that, those who imagine their bodies to be weaker are the most necessary, and we consider them to be the most dishonorable beings of the body, and herewith we attach great honor.” The weakest and most necessary parts of the body are the liver and the brain, because the bones are much harder; for this reason they are brought into greater security by the Creator. And the most dishonorable of the bodily parts, apparently, are the legs, but we also take great care of them, covering them with shoes. 1 Corinthians 12:24. And our unseemly ones are covered more plausibly, but our good-looking ones have no need for it. But God proportioned the body, instilling greater care for the less perfect. “And our ugliness has the greatest advantage in appearance; but our good looks do not require.” For the face does not need a covering, but we ourselves cover the private parts with clothes, and nature, as it were, laid a kind of veil on them, covering them with hair. For the Apostle added this: “But God dissolved the body, giving honor to the worst.” So, the part serving for bowel movements was covered with the buttocks. The Apostle called these members unseemly, according to the generally accepted opinion. 1 Corinthians 12:25. So that there is no division in the body, and all members take equal care of each other. 1 Corinthians 12:26. Therefore, if one member suffers, all members suffer with it; if one member is glorified, all members rejoice with it. “Let there be no strife in the body, but let the people care for each other equally. And if one oud suffers, all ouds suffer with him; if one oud is glorified, all ouds rejoice with him.” This close communication, as can be found, predominates in the parts of the body. For when the foot stumbles, the whole body is troubled; when the nail is cut beyond the need, then the feeling of pain spreads everywhere; when the tongue blasphemes or lies, the eyes cry, and also when it flaunts, they smile, expressing joy. Having thus presented the similarity in many features, the Apostle moves on to his subject. 1 Corinthians 12:27. And you are the body of Christ, and separately you are members. “But you are the body of Christ, and partake of it.” For it is not you alone who make up this body, but all who have believed in the world. That is why the Apostle added: “from part.” Then he describes the rites of the church. 1 Corinthians 12:28. And God appointed others in the Church, firstly, apostles, secondly, prophets, thirdly, teachers; further, to others he gave miraculous powers, also gifts of healing, help, government, and different languages. “And these God hath placed in the Church before the Apostles.” He means not only twelve, but also seventy, and subsequently those who were deemed worthy of this grace. For he himself, having subsequently been called, accepted this order, as well as blessed Barnabas, and besides them, many others. And Epaphroditus calls the Philippians an apostle, for she says: “your messenger” “and companion” (άπὸστολον) “for my needs” (Phil. 2:25). "Second Prophets". He means those who were not before grace, but under grace. Among them were Agabus, who prophesied in Antioch, and the divine Apostle himself. "The Third of Teachers". For they too, inspired by Divine grace, proposed the teaching of Divine dogmas and gave moral instructions. “Then the powers, also the gifts of healing.” The Apostle did not present teaching to them simply, but by teaching that these gifts were for the sake of the teaching, and not for their sake, because the teaching promoted salvation. Since they did not accept it without signs, then, out of necessity, miracles were performed for those who came, as if as a kind of guarantee. "Intercessions, reigns". This Apostle depicted the dispensation of churches. "The Birth of Languages". The Apostle put this gift in last place not simply, but because the Corinthians thought highly of it and immoderately used it for show, and not as needed. For this is why the Apostle also presented the order of the gifts, and said which of them is the first, which is the second, and which is the third, so that care should be taken for the more necessary. 1 Corinthians 12:29. Are all Apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Are everyone miracle workers? 1 Corinthians 12:30. Does everyone have gifts of healing? Does everyone speak in tongues? Are everyone interpreters? “Food all the Apostles? Are all the prophets eating? Food all the teacher? Eating to the fullest? Does food bring healing to all talents? Food speaks all languages? Will everyone say food? With this the Apostle again consoled those who had received gifts, which in their opinion were smaller, and clearly taught that it is impossible for everyone to have the same gifts and that they need each other and, as bodily members, have a need for mutual assistance. 1 Corinthians 12:31. Be zealous for greater gifts, and I will show you an even more excellent path. “Be jealous of greater talents.” Others read this as a question, namely: do you really want greater gifts? If you really want, I will be happy to show you the way to this. For the Apostle added this: “And I will show you the way by superiority,” that is, I will show you the path to greater talents. And he teaches them that above all these gifts is love for one’s neighbor. You might be interested in: