Re: 1 Cor 12:31 MEIZONA

Jonathan Robie (jwrobie@mindspring.com)
Thu, 09 Jan 1997 11:24:58 -0500

I'm currently reading from the perspective that PNEUMATIKA is a broad
category which includes the more specific CARISMATA as well as the fruit of
the spirit, faith, hope, etc. I haven't done any word studies here, I'm just
aware that this is the way that I'm reading the passage, and that's why I'm
reluctant to call things like faith, hope, and love CARISMATA, though they
are unquestionably PNEUMATIKA. I'm thinking that Paul's discussion of the
variety of CARISMATA defines the attributes of the CARISMATA, and love
doesn't fit.

There's one other thing that is plaguing me about this passage. What does
Paul mean in 1 Cor 12:28 when he says PRWTON APOSTOLOUS, DEUTERON PROFHTAS,
TRITON DIDASKALOUS, EPEITA DUNAMEIS, EPEITA CARISMATA IAMATWN, ANTILHMYEIS,
KUBERNHSEIS, GENH GLWSSWN.

PRWTON, DEUTERON, TRITON...and the order does seem to go from greater
authority in the church to lesser. In verse .29 he repeats the same order:
MH PANTES APOSTOLOI? MY PANTES PROFHTAI? MH PANTES DIDASKALOI? ktl...

Perhaps Paul really does see a hierarchy here in terms of authority or
stature, but clearly not in the value of the people or their importance to
the body of Christ. But shouldn't MEIZONA be interpreted in terms of this
list, which is repeated twice in the same order in the verses preceding, and
once enumerated with "first, second, third..."?

More evidence for this view might be seen in chapter 14, where Paul seems to
be arguing that prophecy is a higher gift than speaking in tongues.

Jonathan

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