“For even as the body is one and yet has many members, and all the members of the body, though they are many, are one body, so also is Christ” (1 Corinthians 12:12).
“For the body is not one member, but many” (1 Corinthians 12:14).
“But now there are many members, but one body” (1 Corinthians 12:20).
“Now you are Christ’s body, and individually members of it” (1 Corinthians 12:27).
The verses above are taken from a portion of Paul’s first letter to Corinth, in which he described the church as a body made up of different parts that function together. Recognizing this should lead us to value our brethren. It should also cause us to see our own value in the church. So in this article, we will consider what Paul said in this passage about the body and the members that make up the various parts of it.
There Is One Entrance into the Body
“For even as the body is one and yet has many members, and all the members of the body, though they are many, are one body, so also is Christ. For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free, and we were all made to drink of one Spirit” (1 Corinthians 12:12-13).
Before discussing how we all can work together in the body, we need to be sure we understand what this body is. In his letter to the church in Ephesus, Paul indicated that the church is the body of Christ: “And He put all things in subjection under His feet, and gave Him as head over all things to the church, which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all” (Ephesians 1:22-23). The context of this passage in his letter to the Corinthians makes it clear that he was referring to the same thing.
If we are part of the body of Christ in the church, how do we become part of the church? Paul explained that we are “baptized into one body” (1 Corinthians 12:13). This harmonizes with Luke’s account of the events that happened on the day of Pentecost when the church was established. Peter told the crowd, “Repent, and each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins” (Acts 2:38). Notice the response: “So then, those who had received his word were baptized; and that day there were added about three thousand souls” (Acts 2:41). To what were these people added? God was adding them to the church (Acts 2:47). [Note: Some translations use the word “number” instead of “church.” Yet as we continue reading in the book of Acts, we can see that this is the same body of people that are identified later as the “church” (Acts 5:11).] God adds us to the church when we obey the gospel by turning from our sins and being baptized into Christ.
Paul told the Corinthians that we all have access to the same blessings in this body, as we are “all made to drink of one Spirit,” regardless of whether we are “Jews or Greeks…slaves or free” (1 Corinthians 12:13). He told the Galatians, “For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free man, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. And if you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s descendants, heirs according to promise” (Galatians 3:26-29). Regardless of our background, we have the same hope, inheritance, and blessings as all of God’s people when we are baptized into Christ and added to His church.
You Are Essential to the Body
“For the body is not one member, but many. If the foot says, ‘Because I am not a hand, I am not a part of the body,’ it is not for this reason any the less a part of the body. And if the ear says, ‘Because I am not an eye, I am not a part of the body,’ it is not for this reason any the less a part of the body. If the whole body were an eye, where would the hearing be? If the whole were hearing, where would the sense of smell be? But now God has placed the members, each one of them, in the body, just as He desired. If they were all one member, where would the body be?” (1 Corinthians 12:14-19).
We are sometimes tempted to think that WE are not important to the body. Besides being untrue, this thinking is dangerous. If we believe we are not important in the functioning of the church, we might eventually think we are not needed at all and then slowly drift away.
Paul explained that every part of the body is different – just as the various parts of our physical body are different – but each one is essential. There are certain things that ALL of us can do. Each one of us can assemble (Hebrews 10:25), encourage our brethren (Hebrews 3:12-13), study the word of God (2 Timothy 2:15), teach others (1 Peter 3:15), and so on. Yet, there are also certain things that each of us is uniquely able to do.
Remember the parable of the talents (Matthew 25:14-30) in which Jesus described three servants who were entrusted with a certain amount of money – one was given five talents, another two talents, and the last was given one. Like these servants, we all have different abilities, resources, opportunities, etc. We need to use these to help carry out the Lord’s work, not compare ourselves with others and think that our contributions are meaningless by comparison.
Others Are Essential to the Body
“But now there are many members, but one body. And the eye cannot say to the hand, ‘I have no need of you’; or again the head to the feet, ‘I have no need of you.’ On the contrary, it is much truer that the members of the body which seem to be weaker are necessary; and those members of the body which we deem less honorable, on these we bestow more abundant honor, and our less presentable members become much more presentable, whereas our more presentable members have no need of it. But God has so composed the body, giving more abundant honor to that member which lacked, so that there may be no division in the body, but that the members may have the same care for one another. And if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; if one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it” (1 Corinthians 12:20-26).
On the other hand, we might also be tempted to think that OTHERS are not important to the body. If we lead others to believe this about themselves, then they may eventually drift away.
Again, every part of the body is different, but each one is essential. We should not honor only those in public or prominent roles in the church (like preachers, elders, teachers, etc.) and ignore everyone else. We need to recognize the value and contributions of everyone. Being mindful about doing this should lead us to genuinely “care for one another” (1 Corinthians 12:25). As Paul told the Romans, we are to “give preference to one another in honor” (Romans 12:10). This applies to all of our brethren.
If a local church is functioning properly and carrying out the work God intends for it to do, then one person – or even a small group – cannot do everything that needs to be done. Moses needed help judging the people so he would not become burned out (Exodus 18:13-26). In the early church, the apostles needed help caring for the needy so they would not have to neglect their work of preaching (Acts 6:1-4). A congregation that relies on a small minority to do its work is not a healthy church. Everyone can and should be involved in the various ways they can contribute.
This Body Belongs to Christ
“Now you are Christ’s body, and individually members of it” (1 Corinthians 12:27).
Paul concluded this section with this point. We are one body, and this body belongs to Christ. He is the head of the body, the church (Ephesians 1:22-23). The church is to follow the direction of the head, Christ (Ephesians 5:23-24).
This is important to remember. Otherwise, we could join together as members of some other body to do whatever we want. Yet we are to do all things in accordance with the Lord’s will: “Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father” (Colossians 3:17). Jesus told His apostles, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you…” (Matthew 28:18-20). Jesus has all authority. Therefore, in the church, we need to function according to His instructions and do the work He has given His church to do.
Conclusion
As Christians, each one of us is an essential part of the body of Christ. Remember that you are important. Look for ways that you can contribute to the Lord’s work. Also, do not think that others are unimportant. Instead, encourage them to continue doing the Lord’s will. Ultimately, all of this is to please the Lord as members of His body.
