Thursday 23 May 2019

Psalm: Psalm 135:13-21

Background

Paul begins this short passage by picking up the theme that he has just elaborated; the Church is the body of Christ, and each member has a part to play (v. 27).

The list that follows may sit oddly with this theme since it seems to suggest that some gifts or roles are more significant than others, namely, "apostles, prophets and teachers" (v. 28). Given Paul’s argument so far, it’s not that such people are any more special or important than others, but more that these particular roles lay a foundation for life within the Church.

The question of what these roles or gifts entail is widely discussed. A look at the wider context suggests that the ‘apostles’ are those commissioned by the risen Christ to spread the gospel (1 Corinthians 15:7-9), prophets are those who encourage and console others with God’s truth (1 Corinthians 14:3), and teachers are those who pass on and explain the gospel. Significantly, each of these roles reflect the truth that the Church is a ‘creature of the Word’, a community bound to the word of God that addresses it.

Following the list of the three key roles, Paul lists a variety of other gifts, which range from words of power to gifts of leadership (v. 28b). Paul follows the list with a series of rhetorical questions, asking if each member of the church has each gift. The answer, clearly, is no – a point implied in the form of question in the Greek – and it’s for this reason that the Church as a body requires each member. Everyone has something to contribute. Paul ends by calling people to strive for the "greater gifts" (a point he picks up on in chapter 14) and promises to show them a better way – the way of love.

To Ponder:

• What gifts or roles are particularly valued within your church?
• How can we encourage one another to value the gifts that they have been given?