Our daily reflections follow the M'Cheyne Bible reading plan, designed for those who want to read the whole Bible in one year. Each reflection focuses on one of the chapters from that day's readings. Darllenwch rhain yn Gymraeg.
Still my mind, Lord, and let me hear you.
Four centuries before Paul, the Greek philosopher Plato had likened the body to a grave. There’s a world beyond, greater than ours; alas, our bodies are chaining us to this one.
The Christians in Corinth seem to have toned that lofty Athenian idea down a little: if the spirit is all that matters, who cares what we do with our bodies? Anything goes!
The apostle begs to differ. God, who is not bound to temples made of brick and mortar, indwells those who put their trust in his Son. Rather than a grave, the body is a place of divine presence. Faith doesn’t unshackle us from the physical life, but fills it with spiritual meaning.
By neither idolising nor shaming the body, Paul displays a perfect equilibrium with God at the centre – a balance, unreached either by ancient Corinth or by our own culture. Paul’s counsel to ‘use your bodies for God's glory’ (verse 20) is as significant and challenging as ever.
Lord, help me to grasp what it means to say that you are in me.
This reflection was written by Michael Pfundner, Bible Society's Publishing Support Manager
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