Further thougts...
The BODY of Romans/Corinthians is a match. The body of Ephesians/Colossians is a match. BUT the Roman/COrinth body is almost OPPOSITE of the Colossian/Ephesian body.
This is taken from a previous email that I sent to a fellow Christian....
Okay, now the basis for your reasoning is that since the Corinthians were carnal, they WOULD not get the description of the Ephesians concerning the one body. Now, if we follow this process out logically it would therefore lead us to conclude that IF the Corinthians were a mature group such as the Ephesians then THEY TOO would have had a description to MATCH that of the Ephesians (which even the Colossians did, and so forth). I would like to contrast Rom.1:8-12 with I.Cor.1:4-7.
1. A quick glance will show you that Romans, unlike the Corinthians were praised for their own faith in daily living, not just for the fact that they had received grace and were saved. The Romans were more mature than the Corinthians on this point.
2. The Romans were mature enough to even comfort Paul by the mutual faith that they possessed (Rom.1:12; 16:32; 15:32). The Corinthian church, as you have already acknowledged, could not claim this for THEY WERE carnal and as babes. BOTH groups had those that could be said to be “weak in the faith” (which I believe was no more than need to understand Pauline revelation-“no so much” how to love), but every indication that you get from Rom.1 is that the carnal believers were the MINORITY in the book of Romans, whereas they were the MAJORITY in the book of Corinthians. There are no babes, however, mentioned in the book of Romans. Nobody was accused of being carnal among the Romans.
Now that the spiritual maturity of the Romans over the Corinthians has been illustrated, let us move on to an analysis of the Romans and the Ephesians…I will quote you… “As for the Ephesians: a different picture. Ephesians
1:15,16,17,18 Paul commends them for Faith in the Lord
Jesus Christ, Love unto all the saints, he gives thanks for
them in his prayers, he thanks God for them and asks God
the Father of glory give them the spirit of wisdom and
revelation in the knowledge of him.”
Here are the similiarities. Romans 1:8-12 will also show you that like the Ephesians mentioned above…
1. Paul commends them for their faith.
2. Paul thanks God for them in their prayers.
3. Even though the actual word “LOVE” does not occur, another aspect of that same fruit of the spirit, goodness, is mentioned. Rom.15:14
Now is where Romans and the Ephesians part company…
Paul never did say that he prayed that God would give the Romans the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him, did he? Ever wonder why? I used to. I propose that the answer is found in what we have been discussing, “when did the church, which is his body (the one new man) begin?” I propose that Paul never prayed this for anyone till he entered his Acts 28 ministry because “it never was around”.
The level of teaching concerning the mechanics of salvation are much more detailed in Romans then they ever were in Ephesians. When somebody wants to teach the great doctrine of justification, imputation of righteousness, or the wages of sin, instantly people usually want to turn to the book of Romans and then maybe the Ephesians. Romans contains strong meat. From your arguments then, it would be logical, since they are much MORE LIKE the heavenly minded Ephesians than the carnal Corinthians that the description would match this “meat” that you have spoken of. After all, both sets were adults, and this has been the crux of your arguments. Does the descriptions match?
I.Cor. 12:26-28 The Corinthians are members of Christ based upon their gifts.
Rom. 12:4-6 The ROMANS are members of Christ based upon their gifts.
The Ephessians were not.
I.Cor. 12:12 The members make up what is called “Christ”
Romans 12:5 The members make up what is called “Christ”
Ephesians :15-16, 25 Christ is the Head, they are “just the members”.
Conclusion: Romans 12 and I.Cor.12 are a set…The Ephesians/Colossians DO NOT BELONG to “THIS EARLY BODY”. Maturity had nothing to do with anything as presented in the comparisons and contrasts of the godliness of the 3 groups. The Romans matched the Corinthians, but could not be described as the Ephesians/Collossians.
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