Framework to understand spiritual gifts: the analogy of body parts

Summary:

Spiritual gifts can be described as being given to those who are in Christ. 

For more information:

List of spiritual gifts:
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In the Bible there is evidence that there might be a FRAMEWORK LAID OUT BY PAUL to understand spiritual gifts: through an ANALOGY OF BODY PARTS (in a body). 

There is also evidence that the VOCABULARY USED BY PAUL in connection to spiritual gifts is ALSO USED to describe how body parts can function in a body, with the spirit of that body energizing those body parts. 

There is evidence that:

1) In all the 3 main passages listing spiritual gifts in the New Testament (1 Corinthians 12, Romans 12, Ephesians 4), all of them are CONNECTED DIRECTLY TO an ANALOGY OF BODY PARTS. 

2) The word describing how spiritual gifts are "PLACED" (1 Corinthians 12:28) in the church can be used to describe how body parts are "PLACED" (1 Corinthians 12:18) in a body. 

3) Paul may have likened "HAVING" (Romans 12:6) a spiritual gift to "HAVING" (Romans 12:4) a "function" (Romans 12:4) as a body part in a body. 

4) Paul described how there are spiritual gifts that can be described as "MINISTRIES" (1 Corinthians 12:5), doing the work of "MINISTRY" (Ephesians 4:12), the same way that in a body there are body parts that can do the work of MINISTERING to other body parts. 

5) Paul described how God as a spirit is "ENERGIZING" (1 Corinthians 12:6, Galatians 3:5) spiritual gifts, the same way that in a body the spirit of a human would have been understood as that which is ENERGIZING the body parts. 

6) Paul described how there is the "MANIFESTATION" (1 Corinthians 12:7) of the Spirit of God to visibly disclose that One, the same way that in a body it would have been understood that there is the MANIFESTATION of the human spirit to visibly disclose that one through the body parts.  

7) This framework has EXPLANATORY POWER regarding SEVERAL OTHERS TEACHINGS CONCERNING THE SPIRITUAL GIFTS, that can now be understood through this analogy of body parts in a body energized by a spirit. 

8) The Bible describes a DYNAMIC aspect to spiritual gifts but also a STRUCTURALLY STABLE AND PERMANENT aspect to them. This framework can help understand how to SOLVE THAT TENSION. It can also expose what happens if one aspect is too emphasized over the other. 

You can find more details below:

1) Body parts analogy in all the 3 main passages listing spiritual gifts:

In all the 3 main passages listing spiritual gifts in the New Testament (1 Corinthians 12, Romans 12, Ephesians 4), all of them are CONNECTED DIRECTLY TO an ANALOGY OF BODY PARTS. 

1 Corinthians 12:

Paul wrote that "the manifestation (of) the Spirit is-given (to) each (one) for (our) benefit" (1 Corinthians 12:7), "For (to) one (a) word (of) wisdom is-given through the Spirit; and (to) another, (a) word (of) knowledge according-to the same Spirit; (to a) different (one), faith by the same Spirit; and (to) another, gifts (of) healings by the one Spirit; and (to) another, (things-)worked (by) miracles; and (to) another, prophecy; and (to) another, discernments (of) spirits; (to a) different (one), kinds (of) tongues; and (to) another interpretation (of) tongues" (1 Corinthians 12:8-10), adding that Spirit gives those "just-as (it) wills" (1 Corinthians 12:11).

THEN THE VERY NEXT VERSE CONNECTS those, saying: "FOR just-as the (human) body is one (body); and IT HAS MANY BODY-PARTS" (1 Corinthians 12:12). 

Paul then continued, saying: "God PLACED [tithémi 5087 in Greek] THE BODY-PARTS, each one (of) them, in the body, just-as He-wanted" (1 Corinthians 12:18).

THEN SEVERAL VERSES LATER PAUL CONNECTS that back to a list of spiritual gifts, using the same Greek word for "PLACED [tithémi 5087 in Greek]" as in 1 Corinthians 12:18 saying that "God PLACED [tithémi 5087 in Greek] some in the church (as) first, apostles; second, prophets; third, teachers; then powers [miracles]; then gifts (of) healings, helps, administrations, kinds (of) tongues" (1 Corinthians 12:28). 

Romans 12:

Paul wrote: "just-as WE-HAVE MANY BODY-PARTS in one body and all the body-parts are not HAVING the same FUNCTION, in-this-manner we the many are one body in Christ, and individually body-parts (of) one another" (Romans 12:4-5).

THEN THE VERY NEXT VERSE CONNECTS those, mentioning that we are "HAVING different GIFTS" (Romans 12:6).

Ephesians 4:

Paul wrote that Christ "gave some apostles, and some prophets, and some evangelists, and some shepherds and teachers" (Ephesians 4:11). 

THEN ONLY 3 VERSES LATER CONNECTS those, mentioning "SO-THAT" (Ephesians 4:14) "THE WHOLE BODY, being-fitted-together and held-together by every joint (of) supply according-to (the) working in measure (of) EACH INDIVIDUAL (BODY) PART, is-producing the growth (of) THE BODY" (Ephesians 4:15-16). 

2) Body part "placed":

The word describing how spiritual gifts are "PLACED" (1 Corinthians 12:28) in the church can be used to describe how body parts are "PLACED" (1 Corinthians 12:18) in a body. 

Paul wrote that "God PLACED [tithémi 5087 in Greek] some in the church (as) first, apostles; second, prophets; third, teachers; then powers [miracles]; then gifts (of) healings, helps, administrations, kinds (of) tongues" (1 Corinthians 12:28). 

Paul wrote that God "PLACED [tithémi 5087 in Greek]" (1 Corinthians 12:28) the spiritual gifts "IN THE CHURCH" (1 Corinthians 12:28), or in the body, as Paul wrote about Christ's "BODY, which is THE CHURCH" (Colossians 1:24). 

This is similar to how "God PLACED [tithémi 5087 in Greek] THE BODY-PARTS, each one (of) them, IN THE BODY" (1 Corinthians 12:18). 

➔ An EYE (which is a BODY PART) is structurally PLACED by God in a body. It did not choose its location, and it cannot relocate to where a HAND is. 

3) Body part "having a function":

Paul may have likened "HAVING" (Romans 12:6) a spiritual gift to "HAVING" (Romans 12:4) a "function" (Romans 12:4) as a body part in a body. 

Paul wrote that "all the body-parts are not HAVING the same FUNCTION" (Romans 12:4), adding that we are "HAVING different GIFTS" (Romans 12:6).

In 1 Corinthians 12, where another list of gifts is present, Paul mentioned functions of different body parts, writing: "If the whole body (were an) eye, where (would) the HEARING (be)? If (the) whole (were an) ear, where (would) the SMELLING (be)?" (1 Corinthians 12:17). 

➔ An EYE (which is a BODY PART) has the specific FUNCTION TO SEE. This function is permanent, unless it is conditionally impaired or not exercised. 

4) Body part for "ministry":

Paul described how there are spiritual gifts that can be described as "MINISTRIES" (1 Corinthians 12:5), doing the work of "MINISTRY" (Ephesians 4:12), the same way that in a body there are body parts that can do the work of MINISTERING to other body parts. 

Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 12 before mentioning a list of spiritual gifts that "there-are differences (of) MINISTRIES [diakonia 1248 in Greek]" (1 Corinthians 12:5). 

Paul in Ephesians 4 mentioned a list of gift and wrote that Christ: "gave some (as) apostles, and some (as) prophets, and some (as) evangelists, and some (as) shepherds and teachers, for the completeness (of) the holy (ones), for (the) work (of) MINISTRY [diakonia 1248 in Greek]" (Ephesians 4:11-12). 

There are spiritual gifts that can be described as ministries, doing the work of ministry, the same way that in a body there are body parts that can do the work of ministering to other body parts. 

An ancient author, Philo of Alexandria, a Jewish philosopher who lived at the exact same time as Paul (20 BC to AD 50), frequently used the anatomical metaphor. He routinely described the human mind as a king and the INDIVIDUAL BODY PARTS as its MINISTERS OR SERVANTS [huperetai or diakonoi in Greek].

For example, he wrote: 

​"For the mind is the king of the soul, and the SENSES are its bodyguards and MINISTERS [huperetai in Greek], reporting to it everything that they SEE or HEAR [...] and the BODY PARTS are arranged like SUBJECTS to ensure the preservation of the whole." (Philo of Alexandria, De Opificio Mundi (On the Creation of the World), 139).

​In another treatise, Philo explains how the body parts are structurally designed to "MINISTER" to the needs of the person, describing the hands and feet as active servants, as he wrote: 

"[...] the hands being created for the purpose of giving, and receiving, and working [...] and the feet to MINISTER [diakonein in Greek] to the movements of the whole body" (Philo of Alexandria, De Antidoto / De Specialibus Legibus (On Special Laws), 4.139).

An ancient famous Roman story of the "Belly and the Members" was recorded by the Roman historian Livy in the late 1st century BC. This story was a massive cultural trope in the Greco-Roman world. What makes this evidence powerful is that in the original Latin text, Livy explicitly uses the word MINISTERIO (MINISTRY/SERVICE) to describe the work that the individual body parts perform for the rest of the body.

It is written:

"In the days when man's MEMBERS did not all agree as they do now, but each part had its own ideas and its own voice, the other parts were indignant that by their care, labor, and MINISTRY [MINISTERIO IN LATIN], everything was procured for the belly, while the belly remained idle in their midst, enjoying the pleasures provided for it. They conspired together that the hands should not carry food to the mouth, nor the mouth receive it when brought, nor the teeth chew it [...]. But while they sought to starve the belly, the individual members and the whole body fell into extreme decay." (Livy, Ab Urbe Condita (History of Rome), Book 2, Chapter 32). 

 

When Paul called spiritual gifts "MINISTRIES [diakonia 1248 in Greek]", his 1st century readers would already have understood that body parts exist to minister to one another.

➔ A HAND (which is a BODY PART) can MINISTER protection or cleansing for an EYE or an EAR. 

5) The spirit "energizing":

Paul described how God as a spirit is "ENERGIZING" (1 Corinthians 12:6, Galatians 3:5) spiritual gifts, the same way that in a body the spirit of a human would have been understood as that which is ENERGIZING the body parts. 

Paul wrote that "And there-are differences (of) WORKINGS [energéma 1755 in Greek], but the same God WORKING [energeó 1754 in Greek] all (things) in all (persons)" (1 Corinthians 12:6). 

Paul also wrote how God is "the (One) supplying you the SPIRIT and WORKING [energeó 1754 in Greek] miracles among you" (Galatians 3:5).

Here the Greek word for "WORKING [energeó 1754 in Greek]" (1 Corinthians 12:6, Galatians 3:5) may be literally translated as "ENERGIZING", as it is the Greek verb "ENERGEÓ" from which we get the noun ENERGY from. 

"God (is) SPIRIT" (John 4:24), and is the One "ENERGIZING" (1 Corinthians 12:6, Galatians 3:5) spiritual gifts, the same way that in a body the SPIRIT of a human would have been understood as that which is ENERGIZING the body parts, which is why James wrote that "the body without (its) spirit is dead" (James 2:26).

An ancient author named Galen, a famous physician of antiquity, explicitly used the Greek word "ENERGEIA" to describe the ACTIVITY of a body part, as he wrote: ​"The effect of Nature, then, we call a work [ergon 2041 in Greek], and the WORKING ITSELF WE CALL AN ACTIVITY [energeia 1753 in Greek]. Thus we say that an animal DIGESTS ITS FOOD by THE ACTIVITY [energeia 1753 in Greek] of its stomach, that it SEES by THAT [ACTIVITY] of its eyes" (Galen, On the Natural Faculties (De naturalibus facultatibus) Book 1, Chapter 2 (2nd century AD)).

Galen also indicated that in a body the SPIRIT [pneuma 4151 in Greek] is here TO ENERGIZE the body parts, as he wrote: ​"The nerves originating from the brain and spinal cord [...] are instruments of the soul [...] conveying the psychic SPIRIT [pneuma 4151 in Greek] to the muscles TO PRODUCE VOLUNTARY MOTION." (Galen, On the Doctrines of Hippocrates and Plato (De placitis Hippocratis et Platonis), Book 7.3). 

An ancient author Stoic philosopher Hierocles also described how the SPIRIT [pneuma 4151 in Greek] holds the body together and ENERGIZES IT, as he wrote: "The body is a composite of different parts, and it is HELD TOGETHER and ANIMATED BY A SINGLE SPIRIT [pneuma 4151 in Greek] which permeates it entirely." (Hierocles the Stoic, Elements of Ethics (early 2nd century AD)).

The vocabulary used is very similar to what Paul wrote after mentioning a list of spiritual gifts in Ephesians 4:11, adding only 4 verses later: "the head Christ, from Whom the whole body, being-fitted-together and HELD-TOGETHER by every joint (of) supply according-to (the) WORKING/ENERGIZING [energeia 1753 in Greek] in measure (of) EACH INDIVIDUAL PART" (Ephesians 4:15-16).

In other terms, the Spirit of God is the "SPIRIT [pneuma 4151 in Greek]" of the Church (the body), flowing from Christ (the Head) to each individual body part, providing the exact "WORKING/ENERGIZING [energeó 1754 in Greek]" that body part needs to minister its function to the rest of the body.

➔ An EYE (which is a BODY PART) would have been understood as being ENERGIZED by the human spirit in the morning for example in order TO SEE. 

6) The "manifestation" of the spirit:

Paul described how there is the "MANIFESTATION" (1 Corinthians 12:7) of the Spirit of God to visibly disclose that One, the same way that in a body it would have been understood that there is the MANIFESTATION of the human spirit to visibly disclose that one through the body parts.  

Paul wrote that "the MANIFESTATION (of) the Spirit is-given (to) each (one) for (our) benefit" (1 Corinthians 12:7). 

Here a "MANIFESTATION" (1 Corinthians 12:7) describes the visible event of a function being worked. This manifestation is specifically "(of) the Spirit" (1 Corinthians 12:7) of God.

Similarly for a body part, a MANIFESTATION is the visible event of a body part's function (seeing, hearing) being worked. This would have been understood as a manifestation of the human spirit in the body.

The Greek word for "MANIFESTATION [phanerósis 5321 in Greek]" in 1 Corinthians 12:7 is used in other ancient texts. 

In ancient Greco-Roman thought, it was widely accepted that the human soul or SPIRIT was entirely invisible to the physical eye. Its existence and intentions could only be known because they became "MANIFEST [phaneros in Greek]" through the physical actions of the body's members.

For example the ancient author Xenophon (a student of Socrates and contemporary of Plato) wrote how the human spirit/soul is proven by its visible manifestations, as he wrote: ​"THE SOUL OF MAN, which more than all else that is human partakes of the divine, reigns supreme within us, that is MANIFEST [phaneros in Greek], yet it is itself unseen." (Xenophon, Memorabilia 4.3.14 (early 4th century BC)). 

The ancient author and Stoic philosopher Chrysippus compared the human soul to a spirit manifesting through body parts to an octopus extending its tentacles, as he wrote: "The Stoics say that THE SOUL IS A SPRIT [pneuma 4151 in Greek] extending through the body [...]. The ruling part is the highest part of the soul [...]. From it there extend to the sense-organs seven parts of the soul, like the tentacles of an octopus." (Aetius, Placita 4.21.1-4 (recording Stoic doctrine from the 3rd century BC). 

When Paul writes that the "MANIFESTATION [phanerósis 5321 in Greek]" of the Spirit is given to each one, a 1st-century audience would have naturally understood this anatomically. Just as the invisible human spirit is manifested when a physical hand moves, the invisible Holy Spirit is manifested when a "BODY PART" of the church exercises a spiritual gift.

➔ When an EYE (which is a BODY PART) tracks a moving object and warns the body, that action would have been understood as a MANIFESTATION of the human spirit in the body, and is for the benefit the body. 

7) Explanatory power of the framework:

The analogy of a body as a framework explains the vocabulary used by Paul concerning the spiritual gifts well: each specific body part is "PLACED" in a body and has a set "FUNCTION", that can be used for the work of "MINISTERING" to other body parts. It is being "ENERGIZED" by the spirit of that body so that there is the "MANIFESTATION" of that spirit being disclosed when it happens. 

This framework has EXPLANATORY POWER regarding SEVERAL OTHERS TEACHINGS CONCERNING THE SPIRITUAL GIFTS, that can now be understood through this analogy of body parts in a body energized by a spirit. 

For example:

7) A) MANY BODY PARTS EXIST IN A BODY (for example eye, ear, nose, hand, etc). 

➔ This can explain why there is evidence that many spiritual gifts exist. 

For more information:

List of spiritual gifts:
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7) B) EVERY BODY PART WAS DESIGNED BY GOD TO BELONG IN A BODY (for example an eye was designed by God to belong in a body, same for a hand or a nose). 

➔ This can explain why there is evidence that everyone in Christ (who is therefore in His collective body) has spiritual gifts. 

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Everyone in Christ has spiritual gifts:
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7) C) MULTIPLE BODY PARTS CAN BE THE SAME, and therefore have the same functions (for example in a body there can be 2 eyes having the same function each of seeing). 

➔ This can explain why there is evidence that multiple individuals can have the same spiritual gifts. 

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Some individuals in Christ can have the same spiritual gifts:
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7) D) Body parts DO NOT HAVE ALL THE SAME FUNCTION, and are not designed to do the function of another body part (for example an eye is not designed to hear like an ear). 

➔ This can explain why there is evidence that not everyone has the same spiritual gifts. 

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Not everyone has all the same spiritual gifts:
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7) E) Body parts are DESIGNED to be placed PERMANENTLY in the body, having THE SAME FUNCTION UNTIL DEATH (for example an eye is designed to be inside the head of someone permanently to see until death).

➔ This can explain why there is evidence that people can be described as having spiritual gifts until death. 

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People can be described as having spiritual gifts until death:
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7) F) Body parts are NOT NECESSARILY ALWAYS ABLE TO FUNCTION, for diverse reasons (for example an eye may become sick, or the spirit in the body may not open them at all times, or it may not desire to open even if it can). 

➔ This can explain why there is evidence that there can be conditions to be able to exercise a spiritual gift.

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There can be conditions to be able to exercise a spiritual gift:
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7) G) It is possible for body parts to STILL FUNCTION EVEN IF THEY ARE NOT CLEAN (for example it is possible for a foot to still walk even if it is not clean). 

➔ This can explain why there is evidence that the presence of spiritual gifts does not necessitate the presence of holy character. 

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The presence of spiritual gifts does not necessitate the presence of holy character:
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7) H) Body parts can be DEVELOPED to exercise their functions better (for example a hand can become more strong, or an eye can be trained to focus on diverse details). 

➔ This can explain why there is evidence that spiritual gifts can be developed.

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Spiritual gifts can be developed:
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8) Solving the dynamic and structurally stable aspect of spiritual gifts:

The Bible describes a DYNAMIC aspect to spiritual gifts but also a STRUCTURALLY STABLE AND PERMANENT aspect to them. This framework can help understand how to SOLVE THAT TENSION. It can also expose what happens if one aspect is too emphasized over the other. 

How this framework solves the tension between dynamic and stable:

In the analogy of body parts in a body:

➔ The DYNAMIC aspect is the SPIRIT of the body energizing the body parts as it wills. 

➔ The STRUCTURALLY STABLE AND PERMANENT aspect is BODY PARTS AND THEIR SET FUNCTIONS in the body. 

Individuals in Christ can have fixed and permanent functions in the body of Christ, while the Spirit of God energizes them dynamically so that all the body parts can function together for the common good of the entire body.

If the dynamic aspect is not emphasized:

Someone NOT EMPHASIZING THE DYNAMIC ASPECT (at least partially, if not completely) may reject what the Spirit wants to do dynamically and may not seek to rely enough on the move of the Spirit to function. 

As a result:

➔ They might reject certain gifts that rely a lot on the Spirit (prophecy, gifts of healings, miracles...).

➔ They might not understand that many gifts have conditions to be able to be exercised, conditions that may need the Spirit to function. 

➔ They might be so structured in how they function as a body that there might be not enough space for a spontaneous manifestation of the Spirit. 

If the structurally stable and permanent aspect is not emphasized:

Someone NOT EMPHASIZING THE STRUCTURALLY STABLE AND PERMANENT ASPECT (at least partially, if not completely) may reject that individual body parts in the body do have a stable function by design and that everyone does not have the same function in the body. They may therefore not seek to function in alignment with that for themselves or for others. 

As a result:

➔ They might reject that they actually need other body parts.

➔ They might not have much of a concern for the other body parts in the body. 

➔ They might even divide themselves from other body parts.