FOR the sake of many correspondents and others who are seeking present truth, we
make the following brief suggestions. Be sure you fully understand the terms of
"the mystery" before beginning to reason about it. The mystery does not
repudiate Paul's previous epistles. It incorporates them, with certain modification to
suit the new revelation. Conciliation, the special aspect of the evangel for today, is
implied in the prison epistles, but elaborated in Romans and Corinthians. It set aside
Israel's religious superiority, as the celestial allotment sets aside their political
supremacy. Both are essential to the present grace. Remember that "the body" is
a figure of speech, and applies only to certain relationships to Christ. Paul was
in the body when he wrote Romans. All who were in that body were also in the joint- body
of Ephesians. Both are the body of Christ. He has not two bodies. They are two slightly
differing aspects of our close relationship to Him before and after the mystery was
revealed. The "joint" does not refer to our union with Christ, but to the fact
that the nations are now accorded an equal place in the body with those of the
Circumcision who believed Paul's teaching. There is now only one body. Do not
confuse the body with the "new man." It is a totally different figure. The humanity
is put on and off. Not so the body. Distinguish between that which is heavenly in
character and that which is celestial in location. Do not press figures of speech beyond
their proper bounds. Christ comes suddenly and unexpectedly as a thief. He does not
steal, or hide, or do many things which thieves do. Only the suddenness and unexpectedness
of His advent is thief-like.
Remember that maturity is not found in the pre-prison epistles. Maturity, however, does
not come through a new creation, but through minority. The gifts of 1 Corinthians 12 are
those which characterized immaturity, yet not all, for some passed over into maturity.
Apostles, prophets, and teachers continued (Eph.4: 11). The "body" in Romans and
Corinthians is the body of the same Christ as in Ephesians. It is only a figure, showing
our relationship to Him. When that relationship changed, the figure was modified
accordingly. The body becomes a joint-body. Christ and Paul and the Romans and the
Corinthians were not left behind in the former body. They become members in the
joint-body. When maturity comes, the minor is not "done away" (1
Cor.13:10), but the things of minority.
The word parousia is often used as though it referred exclusively to a single
event, in which we can have no part, because" it is not found used of Christ in the
prison epistles." The word simply means presence. If we are never to enjoy the
presence of Christ we are in a most pitiable dilemma! All of the transcendent spiritual
blessings among the celestials which the prison epistles reveal are worthless if they are
to be ours outside of His presence. Moreover, there can be no vivification apart from His
presence. He alone can give life. We were not vivified with Him as the Firstfruit. We will
be made alive at His presence (1 Cor.15:23). I do not hesitate to say that, if we are
barred from the "parousia," then no life or blessing can possibly be ours. All
depends on His presence. A concordant study should show that this is not the special name
of a particular event, but a common noun, meaning the opposite of absence.
