Corinthians: Concerning the Spiritual — Stephen Kaung

This is Sunday evening, November the 4th, 1973. In Richmond, Virginia, ministry is being given through Brother Stephen Kong.

Concerning the Spiritual in First Corinthians 12

We have been fellowshipping together recently on 1 Corinthians. So tonight we will have 1 Corinthians chapter 12. 1 Corinthians chapter 12, verse 1. But concerning spiritual, brethren, I do not wish you to be ignorant.

Ye know that when ye were of the nation, ye were led away to dumb idols, in whatever way ye might be led. I give you therefore to know that no one speaking in the power of the Spirit of God says, Thirst on Jesus.

And no one can say, Lord Jesus, unless in the power of the Holy Spirit. But there are distinctions of gifts, but the same Spirit. And there are distinctions of services, and the same Lord. And there are distinctions of operations, but the same God who operates all things in all.

But to each the manifestation of the Spirit is given for profit. For to one by the Spirit is given the word of wisdom, and to another the word of knowledge, according to the same Spirit. And to a different one place, in the power of the same Spirit.

And to another gift of healing, in the power of the same Spirit. And to another operations of miracles. And to another prophecy. And to another discernment, discerning of Spirit. And to a different one, kinds of tongues.

And to another interpretation of tongues. But all these things operate in one and the same Spirit. Dividing to each in particular, according as he pleases. For even as the body is one and has many members, but all the members of the body being many, of one body, so also is the Christ.

For also in the power of one Spirit, we have all been baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, whether Mormon or free, and have all been given to drink of one Spirit. For also the body is not one member, but many.

If the foot said, because I'm not a hand, I'm not of the body, is it on account of this, not indeed of the body? And if the ear says, because I'm not an eye, I'm not of the body, is it on account of this, not indeed of the body?

If the whole body were an eye, where the hearing? If all hearing, where the smelling? But now God has set the members, each one of them in the body, according as it has pleased him. But if all were one member, where the body?

For now the members are many, and the body one. The eye cannot say to the hand, I have not need of thee. Or again the head to the feet, I have not need of you. But much rather, the members of the body which seem to be weaker are necessary.

And those parts of the body which we esteem to be the more void of honour, these we close with more abundant honour. And our uncommonly parts have more abundant commonness, but our commonly parts have not need.

But God has tempered the body together, having given more abundant honour to the parts that left, that there might be no division in the body, but that the members might have the same concern one for another.

And if one member suffer, all the members suffer with it. And if one member be glorified, all the members rejoice with it. Now ye are quite bodies, and members in equity. The first letter of Paul to the Corinthians is a most practical letter.

It deals with many questions that the Corinthian believers ask Paul about. And more than that, Paul instructs them on things that he feels are of vital importance. But whatever is mentioned in 1 Corinthians, it is of very practical value.

And I believe as we have gone through some of them, we know how very practical they are. But up to chapter 12, all that Paul has dealt with are questions and problems that are concerned with things that happen on earth.

In other words, in the earthly realm. For instance, this matter of division, this matter of sin, this matter of going to court, this matter of marriage, this matter of eating things offered to idols, this matter of social activity, whether a person can go to the hidden temple and eat with other people.

In other words, you find all these things, or things that happen in the earthly realm, in that letter. But now Paul is going to turn to another realm. And because of that, you'll find this chapter begins with, but concerning the spiritual.

Now as you read your version, you will find probably in your version, after the word spiritual, there is some other description in parenthesis. And of course we know whenever you find something in parenthesis, you know that it is the translator's interpretation.

In other words, to the translator, if it is just that concerning the spiritual, now what is it? It doesn't convey any definite meaning. So the translators try to put in what they understand as the meaning.

To feel it is. But of course they know it is not in the original. So sometimes in your version, and probably some versions, just take away the parenthesis as if they are in the original. But if they are very honest, you will find a parenthesis after spiritual.

And different translators have different ideas. In some version, you may find concerning the spiritual theme. In other version, you may find concerning spiritual gifts. In other version, you may find concerning spiritual manifestations.

And even people offer to say concerning spiritual man. Now what is it? That this chapter and the following chapters are really concerned with. I think an understanding of the heading is very important.

Because then we know exactly the scope of these chapters. But concerning the spiritual. Now no doubt about that. The church in Corinth is very rich in spiritual gifts. Probably it is very difficult today to find a church that is so rich in spiritual gifts as in the church at Corinth.

And most likely they do ask Paul about spiritual gifts. Why? Because so abundant are the spiritual gifts that they cause lots of confusion. Not that these spiritual gifts are wrong. But something must be lacking there.

And no doubt Paul must have, no doubt the Corinthian believers must have raised this question with Paul. Now how about the spiritual? Spiritual. Strictly speaking in the original is in Paul number. But concerning the spiritual.

Now that make it even more difficult. What do you mean by the spiritual? I think one of the best explanation or interpretation that I have ever come in touch with. Probably is one given by Dr. Campbell Morgan.

You know Dr. Campbell Morgan is called the Prince of Expository. And according to Brother Morgan. He said the word in the original should be translated concerning the spiritual. But people do not know what the spiritual means.

So he feels that in English it should be put concerning the spirituality. Concerning the spirituality. Now Paul is turning away from that realm earthly into the realm spiritual. And when you enter into the spiritual realm.

There are many things that we need to know. There are certain spiritual principles. In the spiritual realm that we ought to understand. Because the lack of such understanding will result in confusion.

So to Dr. Morgan. He feels that starting with chapter 12 verse 1. It goes on into chapter 15. In other words it is not just limited to chapter 12 or from 12 to 14. But it should embrace all the succeeding chapters up to chapter 15.

Including chapter 15. I tend to agree with him. I do not know how you feel. But I do hope that you will take it to the Lord and read it again and see. Paul begins to deal with this matter of the spiritual.

Testing Spirits and Leaving Idolatrous Mediation

He leads them back to the day when they were yet non-believers. He said concerning spiritual. Brethren I do not wish you to be ignored. There are certain understandings that are very necessary. As you enter into the realm.

You know when you were of the nation. You were led away to dumb idols. In whatever way you might be led. Now these for instance. They were idol worshipers. And what were these idols? These idols were dumb idols.

You know in the Bible. The Bible always described the idols as dumb and deaf and blind. You know and so forth. Because they are. Very dumb. These idols could not speak. When the Corinthians worshiped these idols.

They were led to worship these idols. The idols were very dumb. But why did they go to the idols to worship? They went there to seek for guidance. Idols were dumb. And yet oracles coming out from the temple.

That is to say the idols were dumb. But the evil spirits were very active and articulate. Through the priest or priestess. So you find people went to the temple to worship these idols. They sought for oracles and oracles were given.

But of course not from these idols. But from the evil spirits behind these idols. In other words. During those days. When they were idol worshipers. There wasn't that direct relationship. All the communications and relationships were indirect.

Through the media. They had no experience of direct communication. Their whole relationship was indirect. And they were blindly led into it. They never questioned. They accepted everything. But now after they believe in the Lord Jesus.

A direct communication. Now their relationship with the living God is no longer an indirect one. It now has become a direct one. They do not need to go through a medium to communicate with God. Why? Because the Spirit of God himself dwells in them.

It is a new experience. They have now entered into the spiritual realm. Personally. Directly. And it is very beautiful. Formerly as it were. They were outside of the spiritual realm. But now they have been ushered into the realm of spirit.

Thank God now the Spirit of God dwells in them. They don't need any intermediary. They can have direct communication from God. And because this is so new. Paul says. There is an ethic test. Whether the spirit is of God.

Or the spirit is not of God. There is a test. The spirit that confesses that Jesus is Lord. Is the spirit. But if the spirit does not confess Jesus as Lord. It is not the Holy Spirit. But the evil. Now brothers and sisters.

In other words Paul says. Now you have entered into the spiritual realm. And God does not want you to be led blindly. He wants you to enter into it with understanding. Do not believe every spirit. But dear brothers and sisters.

Today. God's people are afraid to test it. They think that if you test the spirit. It means you doubt. You don't believe. But the Spirit of God dares us to test it. He challenges us to test it. The Spirit of Truth is not afraid to be tested.

The more he is tested the truer he becomes. In the spiritual realm you cannot receive everything. Because they are the Spirit of God and the context you need to test. And the test is whether the spirit confesses Jesus.

I don't know too much what's happening in this country. But from the country that I came from. Because the demons. The devil. The people worship demons and devils. Therefore the demons and devil possessions are very common.

Very common. And the one thing that really can find out. Whether the spirit is of God or of the devil. Is this test. When a person is possessed. When a person is speaking. When a person is acting under some influence of the spirit.

You can hardly judge by what they say. You can hardly judge by what they do. Because the evil spirit also heals. Also prophesies. And the prophecy comes to be fulfilled. So how do we test the spirit? Oh when a person is under the influence of the spirit.

A believer can challenge that spirit. Not that person. Oh the spirit. Evil spirit is very evasive. Is very subtle. If you challenge that person. That person will answer you. You have to challenge the spirit upon that person.

Whether they acknowledge Jesus as Lord. Who is Jesus? And you know 100 times. 100 times. Never fail. If it is not of the spirit of God. That spirit will not fail. They feel the spirit. And sometimes the spirit tries to evade.

And say it one word and stop. And then say another word. In other words it is not conceptual. It is just to show that the evil spirit will not recognize that Jesus is Lord. But it is the Holy Spirit. Oh the Holy Spirit is a person.

Confessing Lord Jesus. Now this is. But of course dear brothers and sisters. The principle can be applied in a much broader area. In other words it is not just limited to a person. When he is under the influence of a spirit.

That he needs to be tested. You can apply the principle very broad. That is to say wherever. There is some manifestation of any kind. Whether in action or in speech. Is the Lord Jesus is everything. You know.

It is a spirit. You can apply it to a wider area. But dear brothers and sisters. This is not what is my burden tonight. My burden tonight is very simple. The Corinthian believers are very rich in spiritual gifts.

Spiritual Gifts as Manifestations for the Body

Now what are spiritual gifts? Spiritual gifts are the manifestations of the spirit. Do not separate spiritual gifts from the Holy Spirit. Why? Because the spiritual gifts are the manifestations of the spirit.

Sometimes we take spiritual gifts as things in themselves. Divorced from the Holy Spirit. But when you read 1 Corinthians 12. You find spiritual gifts are nothing but the manifestations of the spirit in the body.

In the body of Christ. The Corinthian believers are very rich in spiritual gifts. The manifestations of the spirit are very full and abundant. Now we will see. If there are such manifestations. If there are such spiritual gifts.

Surely the church will be greatly edified and built up. Perfectly. But the contrary is the truth. Normally. That should be the case. The more gifts there are. The more manifestations there are. The more a building should be the body.

Why should the Holy Spirit manifest himself in these gifts? For the building up of the body. Normally that should be true. But dear brothers and sisters. A strange thing happens.

In the church according. Instead of building up. It tears down.

They know the what of spiritual manifestations. But they do not know the why and how of spiritual. The gifts are there. The manifestations are there. But something is missing. And dear brothers and sisters.

Oftentimes we think that 1 Corinthians 12 is a chapter on spiritual gifts. If you read it carefully. You'll find he touches upon these gifts. But he is not really dealing with spiritual gifts. He's dealing with something else.

What is Paul really trying to say to us? In relation to spiritual manifestations. To spiritual gifts. As if Paul says. Thank God for all these spiritual gifts and manifestations. But. Oh if you only know two things.

If you only know two basic principles. Then all these manifestations will be so profitable and of building. But if you don't know these two things. You'll make yourself a mess. So Paul actually in chapter 12 is not dealing with spiritual gifts.

They know. They don't need Paul to tell them about spiritual gifts. So he just lists a few. Paul is dealing with something far greater. Something that governs spiritual gifts. Dear brothers and sisters.

The Lordship of Christ as the Governing Principle

Why is it that Paul begins this chapter with? Unless. You are in the power of the Spirit of God. You cannot say Jesus is Lord. Because spiritual manifestations. Are the manifestations of the Holy Spirit.

In the members of the body of Christ. And these gifts are given for the building up of the body. But before you see the body. You need to see. You need to see the head. And that is the reason why you find Paul says.

Unless you are in the power of the Holy Spirit. You cannot say Jesus is Lord. In other words. He is trying to lead his Corinthian believers to see one thing. And that is the Lordship. The headship. Unless.

In the power of the Holy Spirit. We see that Jesus is Lord. Oh brothers and sisters. This is not just saying it. Repeating it as a formula. As a slogan. It is getting popular today. Thank God for that.

But remember. It is more than a slogan. It is more than a formula. You may shout a slogan. You may repeat a formula. But if it is not in the power of the Holy Spirit. It is not real. Not because you say Jesus is Lord.

Therefore you have. You are in the power of the Holy Spirit. Not at all. What Paul is dealing with is the reality. Oh unless. Unless you are under the power of the Holy Spirit. Jesus is not Lord. But the Holy Spirit comes for one purpose.

To make Jesus Lord in your life. Isn't that the work of the Holy Spirit? Isn't that the reason why the Holy Spirit should pour forth? Go back to Acts chapter 2. The day of Pentecost. There you will find 120 people were assembled together.

It was. I think. The most perfect congregation you can ever find on the earth. 120 par excellence members. While they were praying. Praying. Continuing before the Lord. On the day of Pentecost. The Holy Spirit came down.

First there was. A sound. A heart blowing. As if a person is breathing. Then. And they began to speak in tongues. To glorify God. And because of this. Rumors began to spread. And people began to come.

Remember. They couldn't all come to that upper room. Because no upper room could accommodate so many people. So evidently they must have moved. To. The temple area. And people just walked to them. And began.

To marvel. Wondered what had happened. And you know Peter. And the 11th stood up. And explained. Brothers and sisters. You go back to Acts chapter 2. And then you find in conclusion. When Peter was concluding his speech.

In verse 33. Having therefore been exhorted. By the right hand of God. And having received of the Father. The promise of the Holy Spirit. He has poured out this. Which he beholds and hears. They see. They hear.

But Peter said. What you see. And you hear. Is the Holy Spirit. That is poured out. For what reason? To accomplish what's purpose. Verse 34. 35. Of parenthood. You connect 36. With 36. Let the whole house of Israel.

Therefore know assuredly. That God has made him. This Jesus home. Yet. Those lords. All brothers and sisters. The outpouring of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit came down. And they were all baptized. In the Spirit.

What does this mean? What does the Holy Spirit come down to prove? To make real. To prove. That God has made Jesus. Lord. You know when the Lord Jesus ascended up. On Mount Ollie. The brethren were assembled there.

We don't know whether that was the time. When 500 brethren. Saw him going up. They saw the Lord Jesus ascending. Then a cloud took him away. They couldn't see him. But they were still looking up. Today we all say.

He went to the Father. Because he told us so. Did he arrive there? How do we know that he had arrived? Nobody saw him arrive. He did ascend. But if. Like the sons of the prophets. They were suggested to Elijah.

And said probably the Lord took your mask. And threw him somewhere else. Let's go and find him. How do we know. That our Lord Jesus. After he is raised from the dead. And he has ascended. He does arrive.

As the right hand of the Father. How do we know? The Holy Spirit. Oh as the Lord ascended to the Father. The Father anointed him. With the Spirit. And the ointment falls down to the beard. And even teeth.

Because the Lord Jesus has arrived. He has been anointed. As Lord and Christ. Therefore the Holy Spirit. Is poured down upon. So here you'll find. What you see and hear. The Holy Spirit. The baptism in the Holy Spirit.

The outpouring of the Holy Spirit. The coming of the Holy Spirit. What does it mean? He comes to accomplish wonders. To make it sure. To assure us. To make it real. The crucified one. Is now. He is Lord.

Now that is the meaning of the text. The sound and the sight are incidental. The essential is. Jesus. The Holy Spirit comes to prove to us. That Jesus is now made Lord. And the Holy Spirit. Is to make this real in our life.

Only the Holy Spirit. Can make Jesus Lord. In our life. In a real way. And he is doing it. The Holy Spirit comes to glorify himself. Oh brothers and sisters. You know what? The reason why the Corinthians believe.

Who are so gifted. And yet. They are so confused. Is because. They fail to see. Each one of them. Is head. To Jesus. Even in the exercising of spiritual gifts. In other words. They display their gifts.

For their own benefit. Their lives are not under the hatchet. The law set. The most important principle. When you enter into the spiritual realm. Don't touch the spiritual realm. If you do not know the Lord.

It is a most dangerous realm to enter into. But if you know the Lordship of Christ. By the power of the Holy Spirit. Brothers and sisters. There is nothing more beautiful. Than to find what you will see.

And experience it in the realm. The Lordship. Holding fast to the head. That is the word. Then. All will be strictly framed. And rightly. Oh brothers and sisters. This is what we need today. We need to see the head.

We need to bow before the Lord. And say now Lord you are Lord. You indeed are Lord. Not just say it. But by the Holy Spirit. It becomes real. And when the Lordship. The headship of Christ. Is established.

The Body of Christ and Mutual Dependence

Then Paul begins to tell us of the body. For even as the body is one. And has many members. But all the members of the body being many. Are one body. So also is the Christ. Now you know this is. One of the tremendous statements in the scripture.

It may sound very simple. For even as the body is one. We all know that. And has many members. Of course. But all the members of the body being many. Are one body. Sure. A little child knows that. So everyone.

Who reads this verse. Read it differently. For as the body is one. But have many members. Though the members are many. Yet one body. So also is the church. You're right. That is what it says. So also is the church.

Because the church is one body with many members. And though the members are many. Yet one body. So also is the church. But that's your interpretation. That is not the statement. The statement is. So also is the Christ.

Now we. Will say. So also is the body of Christ. But that's an interpretation too. The Bible says. So also is the. Who know Greek. Tell me. In the Greek. You know Greek is a very exact language. Some people say like the French today.

It is a very exact language. Now in the Greek original. Sometimes you'll find the word Christ. Without an article. Sometimes you'll find the word Christ. With a definite article before it. Now in our English translation.

It is not clear. Because. To the translators. It doesn't make sense to modern English. But in the Greek you'll find. Some with article. Some without article. So people who study Greek tells us. That whenever Christ is used.

Without an article. It always refers to personal Christ. Christ as a person. But whenever you'll find the article. The preceding Christ. It always is referred to Christ. And his truth. That is the culprit.

Christ means the truth. Is the culprit. That is emphasized. So here you'll find. Even though the body is one. It has many members. Though the members of many. Yet one body. So also is the Christ. Christ.

Is the head. The church. The culprit. Christ. In his culprit. Why is it called the Christ? The reason is very simple. Because. The body is none other. But the extension. Or the outgrowth. The body comes out of the head.

And is reunited. Just like Eve came out of Adam. And was united with Adam. What is the body of Christ? Suppose. This is not a fact. A supposition. For the sake of convenience. Suppose on this earth. There are only a few believers.

No other beliefs. We are the only believers on earth. Make up the church. The body of Christ. Yes. And no. Yes in the sense that. The church is made up of. Those whom God has called out. And gathered together unto his name.

Now that is the church. So we have been called out. And we are gathering together unto him. Surely this is the church of God. Because even though we have been called out. But oftentimes. Like the children of Israel.

They come out of Egypt. But Egypt has not come out of them yet. It is true. We have been called out. And we gather together. But when we gather together. There is not only that which is oppressing us.

There is a lot of water in us too. Out there. With all these foreign articles. With all these foreign particles. How can that body stand? The body rejects foreign particles. Strictly speaking what is the church?

What is the body of Christ? Only that which comes out of Christ. Can we reunite with Christ. The body and the head of one in life. One in suffering. Christ in me. But remember. It requires and demands.

That you and me be on the cross. If we try to project ourselves into the body. It is falling through. The body cannot take it. We're rejected. So here you'll find the body. The body is made of many members.

But remember. What is emphasized here is. It is Christ in me. Christ in me. That makes up the real body. If we live. If we abide in Christ. If we live in the spirit. We come. If we live in the flesh. If we live in Adam.

We are human. How is this body formed? By what power? By what means? Is this body formed? Here you'll find you are saved. I'm saved. We are all individuals getting saved. You cannot be saved. Corporately.

The father cannot be saved for the children. And the children cannot be saved for the parents. Even though there is the promise. Believe in the Lord Jesus. You will be saved and you have. But they have to be saved individually and personally.

The promise can be claimed and applied. So here you'll find all these members are being gathered. Get it out. Get it out. All these members. But how do they become one body? Is the only explanation. Given in the scripture.

In the epistle. Telling us. What is made. By the baptism in the Holy Spirit. What does the baptism in the Holy Spirit do for us? What does it do? Verse 13. For also in the power of one spirit. We have all been baptized into one body.

Whether Jews or Greeks. Whether Mormon or free. And have all been made to drink of one. What is the meaning of the baptism in the Holy Spirit? Number one. Jesus is Lord. Set up the head. Number two. In one spirit.

We have all been baptized into one body. Do you know what happens? The Holy Spirit does two works. In your life. One is to put the Lord Jesus in you. You're born again. The other is to put you in the body of Christ.

That's baptism. Spirit baptism. We have all been baptized. Formerly we were different members. Each on his own. But the Holy Spirit has taken us. And in him we were all baptized. Before the Holy Spirit came.

You'll find a congregation of 120 individual members. They were together. But they were not one. But the Holy Spirit came. And they were baptized into one body. A congregation of 120 members is very different from a body with 120 members.

It's entirely different. And this is what the Holy Spirit has done. This is the meaning of it. In the whole New Testament. Only these two places explain to us the meaning of the baptism. The Lordship of Christ.

Oh that we may hold fast ahead. And then the body. We are one body. Members one of another. Not knowing these two principles. Not holding fast ahead. And not seeing the body. What is the result? Gifts become problems.

Instead of topics. The more gifted. The more problems. If we are less gifted. We need one another. But if we are very gifted. You'll find very rarely gifted people can get along. Brothers and sisters.

When Paul is trying to help these Corinthians believers. In no sense he is pouring cold water upon them about manifestation. Not at all. Not at all. They have plenty of manifestations. But their problem is.

They do not hold fast ahead. They do not see the body. That's their problem. And if only they can be brought into that. Oh brothers and sisters. You will find every member in the body. Will be functioning beautifully.

And under the head. And in quarters. The body. But when you begin to notice the body. Several questions. Number one. Because I'm not a hand. I'm not of the body. The ear will say. Because I'm not the eye.

Therefore I'm not of the body. Now this always happens. When you begin to see the body. Then you strive to be a more prominent member. The foot is low down. The hand is high up. The ear is way behind.

The eyes are at the front. So you'll find always the low down. And the far behind will complain. Oh because I'm not a hand. I'm not of the body. Unless I'm the hand. Otherwise I'm not of the body. I withdraw.

Because I'm not the eye. Therefore I'm not of the body. Brothers and sisters. Even when we enter into the spiritual realm. And we begin to see the body. Then immediately the temptation comes. We want to be there.

We think. We are not contented and satisfied with what God has set us. You know the reason why? That proves we haven't seen the body. If we have seen the body. We will not be jealous of others. We will not be dissatisfied with what God has placed us.

Yes. The hands are high up. The feet are lower down. But without the feet. How far can the hand go? Your hand can reach out. But only a few feet. No more. But with the feet. Oh how far you can go. Often times you'll find yourself.

Usually those who. Who may be. Humanly speaking. Less gifted. Humanly speaking. More hidden. Then there will be murmuring. Do not see the body. Oh if you see the body. If the whole. All the members of our eyes.

Wear the smell. If all the members are ears. Wear the smelling. Where is the body? The problem with those who are lower down and further back. But there is problem with those who are higher up. The head will say to the hand.

I don't need you. I have no need of you. The eye will say to the hand. I have no need of you. The head to the feet. I have no need of you. The higher members. May be. Humanly speaking. Actually God put all the members in the body.

There is no inferior. Or no superior. It is the body. And yet you find. Humanly speaking. Those who may be a little higher. The eye will even say to the hand. I don't need you. The head will say to the feet.

I don't need you. Oh how often people who are more gifted. Think that they are all around. Their temptation is. They think they can stand by themselves. Without the help of brothers and sisters. That's their temptation.

Many years ago. Was in China. I was teaching at the time. And I have very bad teeth. So the doctor decided to pull out my teeth. And first the upper jaw. All the teeth were out. But I still had to go to school and teach.

And my students were very. Very good. You know. They. They did not laugh at me. You know. When I was teaching there. But I had found my problem. You know I often think that. All for eating. Tongue. For speaking.

That's right. But then at that time I discovered one thing. Even though tongue is for speaking. Yet if you are void of teeth. You cannot pronounce correctly. However gifted one member may be. He cannot fully fulfill his gift.

Without the help of. Now about eating. You say you eat with your teeth. Right. But suppose you have no tongue. What will happen? You have to use your finger and move the things around. It's your tongue that moves the food around.

When it needs to be ground it will move to the back. When it needs to be cut it will move a little forward. Who is doing that? Your tongue is doing that. I don't know if you notice that. It works so well.

So you find even the teeth. In choosing food needs the help of the tongue.

Otherwise the teeth cannot be used. It is true.

God has put everyone in the body. And each member has a particular function. Members in particular. And yet in the function. You find there needs to be a coordination. A cooperation. No one can say I don't eat.

Weaker Members, Honor, and Unity in the Body

The Lord is interested in the body. Then of course in the body you may have what seem to be weaker members. Now I have to confess before your brothers and sisters. I have read this many many many many times.

I have consulted many authorities. But I still don't know what these verses really apply to. Whether these weaker vessels are really weaker vessels I don't know. Because if you read it you'll find. But much rather the members of the body which seem to be weaker.

You say which seem. It may not be weaker. Just seem to be weaker. Or now I wonder if these vessels which seem to be weaker. Refer to the internal organs. You know. Your outward members seem to have some kind of strength there.

But your internal organs seem to be very weak. It needs to be protected. You cannot touch it. But are these internal organs very necessary? Take away your stomach and then try to eat. The weaker members which seem to be weaker are necessary.

Very necessary. Let me try to count for some of the history. You know the Bible may say well women are weaker vessels. Now maybe your ministries are more hidden. But here the word says are necessary. Suppose there is none.

Then you see what will happen. I really don't know what is meant here. The less honorable. The less calmly. God will give them more honor. Clothes with more honor and more calmness. I really don't know.