Interpretation of Knowledge
A homily on the Church as the body of Christ — the gifts distributed among the members, and the warning against jealousy and pride within the assembly of the saints.
1He that beareth witness — he is the seed; he is the firstborn; he is the Word that came down. He came that He might be a body for them. He came that He might be a body for the Church.
2He, who is great, became small. He, who is exalted, became lowly. He, who is rich, became poor. He, who hath the form of God, took upon Himself the form of a servant. He hath given Himself unto us, that we might become rich through His poverty, and great through His smallness, and exalted through His lowliness.
3Now we are the members of one body. He is the head; we are the members. There are many members; yet there is one body. There are many gifts; yet there is one Spirit. There are many works; yet there is one Lord that worketh all things in all.
4Unto one is given the word of wisdom; unto another, the word of knowledge; unto another, faith; unto another, the gifts of healing; unto another, the working of miracles; unto another, prophecy; unto another, the discerning of spirits; unto another, divers tongues; unto another, the interpretation of tongues. All these are wrought by one and the same Spirit, dividing severally as He will.
5Therefore, my brethren, let none of you be puffed up because of his gift. The eye cannot say unto the hand: I have no need of thee. Nor again the head unto the feet: I have no need of you. Rather, those members of the body that seem to be weaker are necessary; and those parts that we think to be less honourable, upon these we bestow more abundant honour.
6Be not jealous of the brother that hath received a greater gift. The Father hath given each gift as is good for the body. He that hath received much, much shall be required of him. He that hath received little, little also shall be required. Be ye therefore content with what ye have.
7And love ye one another. Love is the bond of perfectness. Love is the more excellent way. Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not love, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal.
8Love suffereth long, and is kind; love envieth not; love vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up; doth not behave itself unseemly; seeketh not her own; is not easily provoked; thinketh no evil; rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things. Love never faileth.
9He that hath love, hath the Father; for God is love. He that hath the Father, hath the Son also; for the Father and the Son are one. He that hath the Son, hath the Spirit; for the Son hath sent the Spirit unto us.
10Therefore, beloved, let us walk in love, even as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given Himself for us — an offering and a sacrifice unto God for a sweet-smelling savour.
11And let us forsake jealousy, and pride, and wrath, and bitterness, and division. These are the works of the flesh; they shall destroy the body. But let us cleave unto love, and unto faith, and unto humility; for these are the gifts of the Spirit, and they shall preserve the body.
12Glory be unto the Father, and unto the Son, and unto the Holy Spirit. Glory be unto the body of Christ, the Church, the assembly of the saints. Forever and ever. Amen.
