Frank

Hello, everyone. Though I’m not sure how far I’ll get tonight before I subcumb to the alluring voice of the bed monster, I’ll pickup from where I left off, and answer some of your questions as best as I can.

1. Pinklight: I am glad that we agree on 13:1 and that the Lord Jesus is not a “mere” member of his own Body and, as you put it, we are “all collectively” the Body of Christ. Now as to your questions.
   a. “In this analogy Paul provides in 1 Cor 12, who, as a particular member, acts as head of Christ’s body?” Strictly speaking, no one, man or woman, can or should. For Christ alone, as the One in whom the Body finds its source of life, wisdom and power; the One in whom the Church finds its organizing principle and purpose; the One, who through the Holy Spirit, gifts and equips his Body to carry on his ministry of reconciling an alienated and lost humanity; he alone is the Head of the Body and should be acknowledged as such. “Christ existed before all things, and in union with him all things have their proper place. He is the head of his body, the church; he is the source of the body’s life. He is the first-born Son, who was raised from death, in order that he alone might have the first place in all things” (Col. 1:17-18, TEV).
   b. “And when I read that ‘”The head cannot say to the feet, ‘I don’t need you!”‘ I wonder? Would that be something Paul would even imply Christ would say?” Very good question! Made me take a closer at 12:14-21 in the context of 1 Corinthians as a whole; and I agree that “head” in 12:21 is not a direct reference to Christ himself; rather I see it now as a rebuke to certain people, who see themselves as self-sufficient and independent of the other members who they see as their inferiors; maybe even presuming to be the “head” of the house churches in Corinth. And so some of my previous comments regarding the head, eye and hand can be disregarded since they really are not connected with Paul’s intent in 12:21.

Alas, my friends. I can no longer resist the call of the bed monster. A good night to you all, and God’s grace, peace and mercy be with you all. Amen.