By Timothy W. Burnett
1Corinthians 12:12-27 relays a wonderful message about the relationship between all saints in the body of Christ, "For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ. For by one spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one spirit. For the body is not one member, but many" (verses 12-14). What makes the whole body of believers one? They were all baptized by one spirit. Furthermore, God makes sure there is no confusion as to who can be filled with holy spirit. The word Gentiles refers to all people other than Jews. In other words, all people in the whole world can be filled with holy spirit. God did not exclude any category of people.
Verses 15-27 builds on this beautiful analogy of the one body with different members of the human body have different functions. Not one member is counted as useless in the body. If one member of the body does not function like another member, it is still part of the one body. As it is written, "But now has God set the members every one of them in the body, as it has pleased Him. And if they were all one member, where were the body? But now are they many members, yet but one body. And the eye cannot say unto the hand, 'I have no need of you:' nor again the head to the feet, 'I have no need of you.' Nay, much more those members of the body, which seem to be more feeble, are necessary: and those members of the body, which we think to be less honorable, upon these we bestow more abundant honor; and our uncomely parts have more abundant comeliness. For our comely parts have no need: but God hath temptered the body together, having given more abundant honor to that part which lacked." Why? "That there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another. And whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it; or one member be honored, all the members rejoice with it." Finally, God reemphasizes, "Now you are the body of Christ, and members in particular."
The extensive use of figures of speech shows that God is placing great emphasis on the fellowship between all the members of the body of Christ. From the most honorable, useful and appealingly wealthy people, all are fellow members of the same body. God gave this scripture because He knows the nature of the world and how it can influence the body of Christ. He placed great emphasis on it so that there might be no useless divisions in the body, and that all the members might have the same care for each other. This is God's will for the body of Christ.
Home