1 Cor. 12:12-27, A Prayer for Intelligent Love (2)

For what was Paul thankful?

The answer is, for your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now.  At least some of their “fellowship in the gospel” had to do with finances sent to Paul (Phil. 4:15-16).  But notice that Paul did not say he was thankful for their financial gifts.  He was thankful for their participation in his ministry.  Ministry in the body of Christ has to do with making disciples.  In some situations financial support is part of that.  But the gospel ministry is much bigger than that.  Therefore, Paul is talking to his God in prayer, and thanking Him for what these believers were doing.  But of course, by telling the Philippians about his thankfulness, he was also thanking them.  In your job, you probably would appreciate knowing that satisfied customers are telling your boss how thankful they are for you and your work.  In the home, you can imagine the encouragement a wife gets if her husband is telling others what a great wife she is (Prov. 31:28-29).  In the same way, we should give prayers of thanksgiving for those who are part of the ministry we have been given. 

Recently I had the opportunity to speak at a church campout here in Montana.  We were tremendously blessed by the opportunity and had such great fellowship with God’s people in that area.  But our blessing and opportunity to minister was dependent on several other people.  There was the Pastor of the church, who had to be willing to permit others to be a part of feeding his flock.  There was a great worship leader who used his guitar and voice to lead the gathering to focus on our great God.  And there was the couple who did hours of preparation and behind-the-scenes set up and take down, much of which was not noticed by many people, but without which those same people would have wondered who let such a disorganized event take place.

In Paul case, it’s a bigger ministry.  But the point is still the same.  Making disciples is a command to the whole body of Christ.  And, as Romans 12 and 1 Cor. 12 make very clear: every part in the body must work together.  All are needed.  And no ministry can stand alone.  No ministry can stand alone!  That is not how Christ designed His Body.  Paul is a perfect example.

Related to that, we should note one thing about the accompanying verse 6 of Phil. 1.  Paul’s thanksgiving is joined to his confidence of God’s continued work in the Philippian Church.  The word “you” is plural.  God is doing a good work in every believer; we need to see ourselves as one body, not as individual parts.  As God brings to completion the work in each believer, He is bringing to completion His work in the body of Christ.  What an important thought.

So, as we pray for our fellow believers in Christ, let us make our requests with “joy” (v4), being confident that God is faithfully at work in each life.