1 Corinthians 12:12–31 (NKJV)
12 For as the body is one and has many members, but all the members of that one body, being 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 have all been made to drink into one Spirit. 14 For in fact the body is not one member but many. 15 If the foot should say, “Because I am not a hand, I am not of the body,” is it therefore not of the body? 16 And if the ear should say, “Because I am not an eye, I am not of the body,” is it therefore not of the body? 17 If the whole body were an eye, where would be the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where would be the smelling? 18 But now God has set the members, each one of them, in the body just as He pleased. 19 And if they were all one member, where would the body be? 20 But now indeed there are many members, yet one body. 21 And 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.” 22 No, much rather, those members of the body which seem to be weaker are necessary. 23 And those members of the body which we think to be less honorable, on these we bestow greater honor; and our unpresentable parts have greater modesty, 24 but our presentable parts have no need. But God composed the body, having given greater honor to that part which lacks it, 25 that there should be no schism in the body, but that the members should have the same care for one another. 26 And if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; or if one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it. 27 Now you are the body of Christ, and members individually. 28 And God has appointed these in the church: first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, administrations, varieties of tongues. 29 Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Are all workers of miracles? 30 Do all have gifts of healings? Do all speak with tongues? Do all interpret? 31 But earnestly desire the best gifts. And yet I show you a more excellent way.
Each of us have only one body. But our one body is made up of many different parts. Each part has its own own unique function and operates inseparably with the other parts. If one part of our body suffers the entire body suffers. If one member of our body is is honored, the entire body—we ourselves—are honored.
So it is with Christ. His body, the chur ch, is one yet consists of as many members as there are believers. The Holy Spirit baptized us into Christ’s body and gives us of Himself to drink for our spiritual nourishment. He does this through God’s Word and sacraments. But this equality does not mean that we are all the same part. Feet cannot be hands. Ears cannot be eyes. Within the church God has appointed some to be apostles, prophets, and teachers. In Corinth God had also appointed miracles, gifts of healing, and a variety of tongues; gifts which He no longer gives to the church.
Within Christ’s body we do not seek those things which God has not appointed for us, nor do we puff ourselves up because of what God has appointed to us, for “God has set the members, each one of them, in the body just as He pleased.” Every individual is a member of Christ’s body and works best when he or she works for the honor of the body, which is Christ’s, and serves the other members, our brothers and sisters in Christ. No matter what God has appointed for you in Christ’s church, whether pastor or hearer, “the members should have the same care for one another.”
This is why we are to “earnestly desire the best gifts.” What is the best gift? The next chapter answers that. The best gift is love because it has countless opportunities to serve other members of Christ’s body, not matter what member of the body God has appointed you to be.
Lord God, as we drink from the Spirit through your Word and sacraments, teach us true love for the other members of Your Son’s body, so that we selflessly serve them. Amen.
