What does 1 Corinthians chapter 12 verses 12-31 mean?

Answer 1

AnswerIn Corinth, Paul was fighting a rearguard, and eventually successful, battle to keep the members of his church faithful to the gospel and the Jesus he taught. We see references elsewhere to those he called false apostles or, sarcastically, super apostles. In 2 Corinthians 11:4, "For if he that cometh preacheth another Jesus, whom we have not preached, or if ye receive another spirit, which ye have not received, or another gospel, which ye have not accepted, ye might well bear with him." These various references show that Paul was only one of several Christian apostles seeking to gain members, and the "false apostles" were not above poaching members from Paul's version of Christianity.

In 1 Corinthians 12:12-31, Paul is pleading with his Corinthian followers to remain united behind him. He makes an analogy with the human body, which has many members but must remain one, or all members will suffer. Finally, he asks whether all are prophets or workers of miracles and, in verse 31, offers to show the members of his church "a more excellent way".