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"One body."

Text: 1 Corinthians 12:20

UNITY IN THE BODY OF CHRIST

Paul worked very hard not only to found the churches of Christ Jesus, but also to promote unity. This was consistent and logical with what he had taught about the doctrine of the Church.

“And if they were all one member, where would the body be?
But now indeed there are many members, yet one body.
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.’
No, much rather, those members of the body
which seem to be weaker are necessary.”
1 Corinthians 12:19-22

1. “And if they were all one member”

a) No member part should promote its significance.

b) The body is not the body if only one part is highlighted and promoted.

2. “Many members, yet one body”

a) This truth must be borne in mind.

b) There should not be an emphasis on any particular member part.

3. The member parts cited

a) The eye

b) The hand

c) The heart

d) The feet

e) No individual part can say to the other parts that they are not needed.

4. The weaker parts

a) Each part of the body has different strengths and weaknesses.

b) The weaker parts cannot be set aside or cast away.

c) The meaning was clear:

i) The “stronger” members were affecting the “weaker” ones adversely.

ii) The “weaker members” may have felt intimidated by the presence and performance of the “stronger” ones.

5. The weaker ones are necessary

This was not obvious to those who were stronger. But the weaker ones were still members of the body of Christ. They needed to be protected and nurtured. They do not need to be made to feel that they were helpless or useless! “The stronger” ones should learn how to be gracious and more considerate.