(1 Cor. 12-14.)
In these three chapters, which I would commend to my reader’s prayerful study, we have three most important points in connection with the subject of ministry in the Church of God.
1. In chapter 12 we have the only divine basis of ministry, namely, membership in the body, according to the will of God, as we read at verse 18, “But now hath God set the members, every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him.” This is the grand principle: “God hath set.....as it hath pleased him.” It is not a man setting himself, or one man setting another, in any shape or form. Such a thing finds no place in this divine treatise on ministry. “There are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. And there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord. And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all.” (Ver. 4-6.) The Holy Trinity is here presented in connection with ministry. It is the gift of the Spirit, administered under the lordship of the Son, and rendered effectual by the Father. These three things are absolutely essential to all effectual ministry.
2. Then, in that lovely chapter 13 we have the motive spring of ministry, which is “love.” (αγάπη.) A man may possess the most brilliant gift, but if it be not exercised in love—if love be not the spring which sets it in motion—it will profit nothing. A man might rise in the assembly to show forth his power of speaking with tongues, his gift of prophecy, his understanding of mysteries, his knowledge of doctrine, or his power of eloquence, and not do one atom of good to the assembly, or to any individual member thereof, simply because love was not the motive spring of his service. It is well to weigh this. It is a most searching point for all who engage in any ministry. The minister should ever try himself with this question, “Is it love that sets me in motion?” If not, he will prove good for nothing. May the Holy Ghost apply this in power!
3. Finally, in chapter 14 we have the object or result of ministry, namely, “edification.” This is the end of all ministry. The apostle “would rather speak five words” with this end in view, “than ten thousand” for self-display. “That the assembly may receive edifying” is the special point pressed throughout this entire chapter. It is this object which love will ever seek to gain, let the gift be what it may. Love has no object to gain but the good of others. Now, it must be obvious that no one could receive any profit or edification from an unknown tongue, unless there were an interpreter. The same, of course, holds good with respect to an unheard tongue. If I cannot hear what a man says, in prayer or teaching, I am as little edified as though I could not understand his tongue.
Let us, then, remember these three things—the basis, motive spring, and end of true ministry. May we ponder them deeply, and seek to understand them thoroughly, and to carry them out practically, to the glory of God and the good of His Church.