(Thoughts on 1 Corinthians 12:25 & Galatians3:28-29)
Sitting comfortably in a living room, a fewChristians cordially but earnestly discussed their differing views.Normally you could characterize them as being of one mind, but todaya serious logjam threatened.
If you find the following story irksome and evenpetty, this is to your advantage for then perhaps you are clearlyperceiving an important principle within an easy piece. If so, presson to tackle the second not-so-easy exercise.
The heart of the discussion on that day centeredaround the concept of unity and phrases like, "there should be nodivision in the body."/1 Because of what the scriptures teach aboutunity, the claim had been advanced that a congregation should notutilize small groups since these would divide the body ofChrist.
Of course, the problem with this rationalizationagainst small groups involved failing to recognize the limitations ofwhat scripture is criticizing. The biblical denunciations againstdivision involve warnings against becoming embroiled in carnalwarring factions, following false teachings and despising fellowbelievers. This biblical concern over schisms has nothing at all todo with the geography of where God's people might meet. Even if acongregation of God's people might meet in separate locations duringthe week, they are still unified. The disharmony of division has notovertaken them.
When meanings are allowed to grow beyond thepurview of the author's intentions, a message foreign to scripturewill be infused into the text. Stated conversely, to accuratelyunderstand a biblical message involves limiting what the text canmean for us to what the author intended to convey.
Consider how this principle bears upon Galatians3:28-29. In these verses, Paul affirmed that unlike our worldentrenched within its various forms of barriers and caste systems,the body of Christ is manifestly different. God's wonderful promiseof providing an inheritance is received equally, "you are all one inChrist." There is no differentiation between male and female, slaveor free, Jew or Gentile, everyone equally becomes a part of the bodyof Christ by relying upon Jesus when he or she is baptized. Whilephysically a Christian might be a Jew or a Gentile, a male or afemale, in Christ the salvation of sonship is equally received andenjoyed. As Paul explained, "what I am saying is ... because God hasmade you a son you are also an heir."/2 Everybody receives the same!There are no secondary citizens within Christ. Jews are not placed inone body of Christ with its privildedges while Gentiles are placed inanother body of Christ with a lesser inheritance. No, rather "you areall one in Christ." See also Colossians 3:9-11 for a similarstatement.
But what happens if an interpreter does not limitthis equality of reception which Paul articulates to being includedinto Christ and receiving the same inheritance, but rather imposessuch equality upon other arenas? Suddenly, the interpreter hasinfused a message into the text. Undoubtedly he will subsequentlypull it out under the banner of 'Paul teaches that ....'!
Take for example what happens if someonemisapplies the equality of being placed into the body of Christ toareas such as biology or worship. Suddenly, Paul is misrepresented asteaching that those who become a Christian lose their God-givengender roles in fathering children or giving birth! Of course, we caneasily see this is absurd. But similarly, Paul's message could bedistorted to teach that there are no gender roles within the contextof the worship assembly! Well, if that's valid reasoning andexegesis, then maybe small groups are unbiblical.
Barry Newton, Copyright © 2005
1/ 1 Corinthians 12:25
2/ Galatians 4:1,7
Other Articles Which Might Be ofInterest
The Unity PrincipleUnity - What Causes Division? (Part 1)
Thunderbirds & Culture (Thoughts on "This does not matter it is only cultural")
An Initial Foray Into Hermeneutics
Invisible Messages (On Methodology)
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