Biblical Body Building (Rewind)
On the contrary, the parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable and on those parts of the body that we think less honorable we bestow the greater honor, and our unpresentable parts are treated with greater modesty. 1 Corinthians 12:22-23 ESV
Unpresentable parts– Paul’s body analogy contains some rather embarrassing implications. First, Paul suggests that the apparently weaker parts of any assembly under the Messiah are indispensible. That blows a very big hole in the male hierarchy view of the Church. Paul follows this thought with the claim that we give greater honor to those who appear to have less honor. Wham! Another nail in the coffin of male domination. Anyone who still claims that men are superior by divine edict must reject Paul’s view of the assembly.
But Paul isn’t finished yet. Now he treats the “unpresentable” parts. After all, the body, the physical body as the foundation of Paul’s analogy, has some indispensable parts that are not appropriate topics of polite conversation. We all know they are absolutely necessary. In fact, if they stop functioning properly, we get very sick and could die. But they are embarrassing to talk about. Paul doesn’t overlook these parts either. They are essential. And they have assembly-body analogies. The word Paul chose is aschemon. It means “unmentionable.” But we all know what he is saying. Now look how he applies this to the body of Messiah.
aschemon is the negative of a two-word Greek combination. It is literally “not holding a shape.” In Greek thinking, aschemon means “ugly.” This is something that lacks beautiful form, something that shows defect, something that no sculptor (except maybe Picasso) would consider fine art. What does Paul say about those “ugly” parts of the assembly? They are vitally important. We just treat them with euschemosynen (translated as “modesty). But euschemosyne is also a combination word. It comes from eu (meaning “good”) and schema (meaning “external fashion or condition”). Ah, so how do we treat the “ugly” parts of the body? Simple. As if they were the good parts.
Let’s apply Paul’s lesson. In our Greek based culture, beauty is queen. That means hard body, voluptuous, ripped, young, tight, good-looking knock-down gorgeous. A fit body in a fit mind. Just look at our cultural heroes and heroines. Any fat, ugly people there? Anyone dressing like bums? Any misshaped, flabby, old icons in the tabloids of the culture? Of course not. We are Greek and we have Greek ideals. But in the assembly of the King? Do we allow our Greek ideals to reign among God’s chosen? Are we just as quick to give honor to the “ugly”? Do we recognize them as essential, important and worthy of respect? Take a serious look around when you gather. Who leads? Who is honored? Who is respected?
Just how much of God’s non-Greek ideal is part of your assembly?
Topical Index: aschemon, ugly, euschemosyne, presentable, 1 Corinthians 12:22-23
In the Body, beauty is determined by how we treat others. As Yeshua pointed out, even the heathen are nice to those they consider important, but we are to “love our enemies”: particularly those among us. What is a person strong in the faith? Someone who knows how to put love into practice. These high-functioning folks are easy to be around because they can reach out and touch even those who are not so good at touching back; they fill in other’s deficits well. However, precious peeps who are believing a lot of lies about love and who, therefore, have a lot of trust issues, do not have as many connections with heaven: they are not good conduits of the love of God. These people are heavily dependent upon those around them to bring heaven down to earth for them: to nourish them with the experience of love anyway, so that they can build their trust on that experience and so have the courage to believe new things about love.
The “ugly” parts of the body are the parts that are eliminating toxic side effects of all that is not life. They are ugly because they are exhibiting death. I think they are also ugly so many times because, like children acting out the faults of those around them who were supposed to love them (but are not), they are demonstrating the hidden ugliness of those who are better able to hide their secret sins – so many times their secret sins against these less able people. The Body is no exception. As the body processes and eliminates waste, so I think these lightning rods among us are seemingly designed bring out the ‘worst’ in those around them (if it is there, they seem to be able to conjure it!): BUT (if it is likewise there) they can also bring out the best. The instruction is clear: we are to respond with the best – not the worst – for the betterment of not only these other “weaker parts”, but also ourselves. Our beauty, like Christ’s, is supposed to shine more brightly in the darker places. As we cover for others, we develop better “white robes” for ourselves.
I really like your wording I would like to add Luke 10 25- 37 oh, it is the story of the Good Samaritan. God has his Ways and Means Committee. He shows those who thought they were Noble on the outside. What was truly important. Also thinking of Gideon. A man who God chose. Others wouldn’t think of them. And those who went with him, were dropped in number come on by very simple means, that we overlooked. If you know the enemy could come in at any time, when you bow to the river would you look into it to drink? Or would you keep your eyes alert. For one example God sometimes uses the simplest things, to get across a profound principal. Look at us some might have very lofty and scholarship training, that would cause others to follow them. Or put them in a position of grandeur, but those who practice it everyday. In the simple ways and touching others they go unnoticed. Like the person behind the curtain. It takes the workers, that set the stage, for the actions….. Have a great weekend everyone. B. B.
Physiognomy—the notion of, essentially, judging a book by its cover—is not strictly a Greek thing. Consider the account of Jacob, Rachel and Leah. Which did he prefer and why? Why was David attracted to Bathsheba? What was said of the blind man healed by Jesus in John 9? He was ”steeped in sin at birth” (John 9:34). Most importantly, the Suffering Servant Himself: He has no stately form or majesty that we should look upon Him, nor appearance that we should be attracted to Him (Isa 53:2, NASB).
You are right, Craig! The “stumbling block of offense” to the Jews was the One who “became sin” for their entire nation. He was offensive to them, and we judge them for being so offended, too, but if He showed up today I am sure the exact same percentage of Christians would hate Him, too, for the same reasons. He brought out the worst (and the best) in everyone around Him, like salt draws poison or flavors food, or like light nourishes life or kills pathogens and exposes dirt and rats. It all depends on where we are at with Him. He is causing just as much problems on the planet, with both Jews and Christians, too, today, as He did then. No one can deny that fact.
Well said Skip thank you.
Got me thinking of two attributes we do not like revealing as it makes us vulnerable… Meek and Humble. The two attributes Yeshua invites us to learn from him… Stand tool be strong God will provide. How can we teach meekness and humbleness when assertiveness is required…
This is a thought provoker. What relevance are the old. Is there a reason why someone cannot post on here?