The Body, The Gifts and Disabilities

A look at 1 Corinthians 12 by Rick Langer

Paul offers the New Testament’s fullest theology of spiritual gifts in 1 Corinthians 12. However, the very same chapter also offers a penetrating theology of the body of Christ, especially our relationships with those who are weak, less honored and less presentable. People we might today identify as the disenfranchised or disabled.

A logic of reciprocity might entail that these people be less desirable, less honored and more dispensable. But Paul’s theology of the body rejects the logic of reciprocity. He offers instead at least five specific affirmations regarding the value and importance of the “disabled” in the body of Christ.

Those with disabilities are indispensable. In verses 21-22, Paul speaks metaphorically of an eye saying to a hand, “I have no need of you.”* Paul’s response to this rejection is a dual affirmation: We all have gifts and all gifts are necessary.

I wonder sometimes if we really believe this.

If disabled members of the congregation are really members of the body of Christ, then they are also recipients of spiritual gifts. And if they have a spiritual gift, it is by definition a needed spiritual gift. In fact, it is indispensible.

I think most churches view youth ministry as indispensible, but is a ministry to the disabled indispensible? It might be an expression of Christian love and mercy. But is it really indispensible? Will the body of Christ be weakened by a failure to include and enjoy the gifts of all its members? It is a provocative question.

Those with disabilities are honored. Paul not only argues for the indispensability of our weaker members, but he also argues for their honor (verses 23-24). We are not merely to tolerate those who are weak; we are to honor them. It seems all too common for those with uncomfortable disabilities to be isolated rather than honored. Disabilities come with awkward sounds, uncomfortable movements and disruptions to business as usual. It is far easier to deal with challenges like this by isolating those who do such behaviors.

But those who are isolated cannot contribute; those who cannot contribute are not needed; those who are not needed are not honored.

Those with disabilities are accommodated. In verse 23, Paul speaks of how “our unpresentable parts are treated with greater modesty.” He acknowledges the fact that certain accommodations need to be made. The easiest accommodations are required of our buildings—wheelchair ramps, elevators and wider corridors. The most difficult accommodations are required of our hearts. Accepting a member of the congregation sitting beside you and singing loudly, off-beat and in the wrong key requires accommodation. It is disruptive and demands space in our hearts, especially when it is not once in a while but every week.

Those with disabilities are God-placed. The author of Hebrews exhorts us to offer hospitality because in so doing we might be “entertaining angels unawares.” The implication is not so much that the person in question is literally an angel, but rather that this person has been sent by Jesus, and you are to receive him or her as you would receive Jesus Himself. Similarly, Paul reminds us that those who are less presentable, who are weaker, who are less likely to be honored, are placed in the body by the hand of God. It is not the unfortunate consequences of the Fall but God who has “so composed the body” (verse 24). Neither you nor I nor any of our other companions in the body of Christ are accidents. We are intentions—intentionally placed by God Himself.

Those with disabilities should contribute to unity, not division. Paul has many concerns for divisions within the Corinthian church, but a particularly notable one is found in verse 25. He desires that “there may be no division in the body, but that the members may have the same care for one another.” It is not just faulty doctrine that causes division but also faulty relationships. Paul is clearly concerned that division might be caused by a failure to appreciate the indispensible gifts of those who are weak, less honorable or unpresentable. Let us be as diligent in watching out for failures of Christian community as we are in watching out for failures of Christian doctrine.

A crucial question for us as leaders is, “How does our church treat those who are weak, less honored and less presentable?” Forming communities that value, honor, accommodate and accept those with disabilities is a central task of the gospel and an indispensable ministry.

• Verses quoted are from the English Standard Version.

Rick Langer is a professor of biblical studies and theology at Biola University, and director of the Office of Faith and Learning. Before teaching at Biola, he served 20 years on the pastoral staff of Trinity EFC in Redlands, Calif. He has benefited enormously from relationships with members of the Light and Power Company—Trinity Church’s ministry to mentally disabled adults. He and his wife, Shari, continue to live in Redlands and have two grown children.