ACC ~ 1 Corinthians 12 v26

THE GRIEF OF THE CHURCH UNDER PERSECUTION. CYPRIAN: I suffer with, I grieve with our fellow believers who, having lapsed and fallen by the impetus of persecution, drawing part of our hearts with them, have brought a like sorrow on us with their wounds. LETTER 17.

THE CHURCH SUFFERS OVER THE WHOLE WORLD. BASIL: Our sufferings are such as to have reached even to the limits of our inhabited world. When one member suffers, all the members suffer along with it. LETTER 242, TO THE WESTERNERS.

ALL REJOICE TOGETHER. CHRYSOSTOM: Sharing all things in common, both good and bad, is the only way to achieve complete communion. HOMILIES ON THE EPISTLES OF PAUL TO THE CORINTHIANS 31.5.

IF ONE MEMBER SUFFERS. AUGUSTINE: Suppose you had a disjointed finger. Would you not tremble in all your limbs? Would you not hurry to the doctor to have the finger set? Surely, then, your body is in good condition when all its members are in agreement, the one with the other. Then you are considered healthy, and really are well. THE USEFULNESS OF FASTING 6.

ALL SUFFER TOGETHER. AUGUSTINE: Far be it from us to refuse to hear what is bitter and sad to those whom we love. It is not possible for one member to suffer without the other members suffering with it. LETTER 99.

THE SPIRITUAL HIERARCHY 1 CORINTHIANS 12:27-31

OVERVIEW: The body does not consist of members electing to join themselves together (SEVERIAN OF GABALA). No special gift is given to everyone. None is merited (AMBROSIASTER). They are diversely distributed to enable us to see our need of each other. The church in Corinth belongs to the worldwide community of resurrection faith (MAXIMUS OF TURIN, CHRYSOSTOM). The order by which Paul lists the gifts is deliberate, because the Corinthians put speaking in tongues at the top of the list (CHRYSOSTOM).

1 Cor