1 Corinthians 12:21-31

                                                     1 Corinthians 12:21-31

The eye cannot say to the hand, “I have no need of you,” nor again the head to the feet, “I have no need of you.” On the contrary, the parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, and on those parts of the body that we think less honorable we bestow the greater honor, and our unpresentable parts are treated with greater modesty, which our more presentable parts do not require. But God has so composed the body, giving greater honor to the part that lacked it, that there may be no division in the body, but that the members may have the same care for one another.  If one member suffers, all suffer together; if one member is honored, all rejoice together.  Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it.  And God has appointed in the church first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healing, helping, administrating, and various kinds of tongues. Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles?  Do all possess gifts of healing? Do all speak with tongues? Do all interpret? But earnestly desire the higher gifts.  And I will show you a still more excellent way.

The body of Christ is a unit that is supposed to work well together for a common purpose but with unique functions.  Like the human body has a variety of parts with a variety of functions that works together, the church is made up of a wide variety of people that cooperate together for the glory of God.  

 

THE INTERDEPENDENCE OF THE BODY: Every part of the body is of immense value to the rest of the parts.  The eye has no ability to pick things up or do things and the hand has not ability to see what needs to be done.  The head cannot get to it desired destination without feet and the feet have no sense of direction without the head.  The parts that are more fragile are often the most crucial so are more protected.  Our hands will move to protect our eyes because they are more resilient, and the entire body will suffer more from losing sight than losing a part of the hand.  In the church the connection between members is not as organic as it is between body parts so more effort must be given to how we influence and serve one another.  We must strive to understand the importance of each member and how each one of us interdependent on the other.

 

THE INFLUENCE OF THE BODY: God has made the body to have this variety so that we might influence one another and have a greater impact on the world around us.  The parts of the body that require modesty have vital functions, but they are not intended to be on display for all to observe.  The success of one part of the body is truly the success of the entire body. The sufferings of one part of the body causes the entire body to suffer.  As believers in Christ, we are to influence one another.  The victories and defeats of each member of the church are to be celebrated and sorrowed over by every member of the church.  We must never live independently of one another.

 

THE INDIVIDUALITY OF THE BODY: As important as it is for us to be united and working together, it is also vital for us to understand that we all are individuals.  We have different gifts and different functions to perform.  There are apostles, prophets, teachers, as well as miraculous gifts.  Not everyone can do everything as each member has its specific function and purpose.  There is a hierarchy of leadership within the body according to these individual giftings.  The wellbeing of the body depends on each member understanding its responsibility and performing it to the best of their ability.  The needs within the body determine the specific requirement.  The need for leadership is constant while the need for healing is more sporadic.  However, when we become ill the need for healing become far more pressing.  There is no gift that everyone has, but Paul tells us to seek for and desire the higher gifts according to the needs of the body.

 

APPLICATION: We must learn to appreciate and value one another within the church.  Don’t allow pride to convince us that we are more important than other members of the body.  We must cooperate together as we exercise our individual gifts.

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