1 Cor 12:12-31
One Body with Many Members
12 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. 13 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. 14 For the body is not one member, but many. 15 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. 16 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. 17 If the whole body were an eye, where would the hearing be? If the whole were hearing, where would the sense of smell be? 18 But now God has placed the members, each one of them, in the body, just as He desired. 19 If they were all one member, where would the body be? 20 But now there are many members, but one body. 21 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.” 22 On the contrary, it is much truer that the members of the body which seem to be weaker are necessary; 23 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, 24 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, 25 so that there may be no division in the body, but that the members may have the same care for one another. 26 And if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; if one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it. 27 Now you are Christ’s body, and individually members of it. 28 And God has appointed in the church, first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, administrations, various kinds of tongues. 29 All are not apostles, are they? All are not prophets, are they? All are not teachers, are they? All are not workers of miracles, are they? 30 All do not have gifts of healings, do they? All do not speak with tongues, do they? All do not interpret, do they? 31 But earnestly desire the greater gifts. And I show you a still more excellent way.
The human body is used to describe the different peoples who make up the body of Christ – the church. (Eph 2:21 in whom the whole building, being fitted together, is growing into a holy temple in the Lord,…; Eph 4:16 from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love.)
By or In One Spirit (The Holy Spirit) we were all baptized into one body – no matter who we are. For example, Jews, gentiles, slaves or free men. We are part of the whole body infused by God – there are many parts (different people) made to be of one body.
Jesus Christ places each new member of the body into the Holy Spirit for His care and Safe Keeping. (2 Cor 1:22 who also sealed us and gave us the Spirit in our hearts as a pledge.)
We have all been baptized into the body of Christ. (Rom 6:3 Or do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus have been baptized into His death?)
Baptism expresses faith; water baptism is a symbol of spiritual union of Christ and the believer; when we trust Christ we are incorporated into, united to Jesus Christ, which includes united to His death – Jesus’ death becomes our death.
Every member of the body of the church has a vital role to play assigned by God Himself, which is why we should not boast in what we are assigned to do and we should not think our part is not worthy. We are all important to God and have our individual missions to accomplish on earth.
We should have the same care for one another – God gives spiritual gifts for the profit of the All – be not envious of others positions or gifts but rather give to others when needed – minister and help the various parts.