04/14/2021 YOU ARE THE BODY
1 Corinthians 12:27 Now you are the body of CHRIST, and each one of you is a part of it.
1 Corinthians 12:22 And some of the parts that seem weakest and least important are really the most necessary. [New International translation]
Discussion
The 12th chapter of the first letter to the Corinthian church was authored by Paul, who describes himself as “called to be an apostle of JESUS CHRIST” and Sosthenes, who Paul describes as “our brother,” and who, in Acts 18:17, is described as “the chief ruler of the synagogue in Corinth. Throughout this letter, there is a frequent theme and appeal for unity.
For example, in 1Corinthians 1:10, Paul discusses the unity of mind. Here he begs his listeners to avoid arguments, divisions, and splits or dissensions over whom they believe they are “mentally attached” to in leadership or inclined to follow. For example, some were claiming they are “followers of Paul; ” some for “for Peter; ” and some for “Apollos.” Paul discourages these kinds of mental “alliances,” which he describes as trying to “break CHRIST into many pieces.” Deemphasizing his own importance as well as the importance of each of these mere human leaders, Paul asks “did I die for your sins?” If they want to align or boast of anyone, Paul suggests boasting about what CHRIST had done. 1Cor.1:31.
Paul uses an analogy to appeal for civil unity. Using each person’s human body as an example, with its various parts (head, hands, feet, ears, eyes) Paul, tells the Corinthian believers that they are members of one body---“The body of CHRIST.” This idea lends itself to many comparisons. There is the comparison of each person being a unit (like the units of the body) with CHRIST as “the head.” There is the comparison of each person having various gifts and functions, but the parts must all come together for the good of the whole body if the body is going to function properly. In other words, two feet can’t just walk off in different directions or decide each of the feet want to be the left one, causing the body to stumble and fall. Each part needs to do its proper part and be “appreciated.” “Each part should be cared for and honored because if one part suffers, all parts suffer with it. 1 Corinthians 12:26. Paul states that some of the weakest and seemly “least important” are “really the most necessary.”
In fact, Paul states, “we are especially glad to have some parts that “seem rather odd” (Living Bible translation)”, “are our uncomely parts” [King James translation], or “parts of the body we think less honorable” [Revised Standard translation” and New International translation]!”
Paul challenges all of us to “look around” and “see” who is being left out! Who in the body of CHRIST is being ignored, rejected, considered odd, or even less honorable.
Now think back about the people CHRIST associated with. For example, people like Zacchaeus, a tax collector (who was viewed as “less honorable” and a “notorious sinner”) [Luke 19:3], a “despised” Samaritan woman (a member of a group that was rejected, ignored, and considered odd because of their religious practices) [John 4:9]; Mary Magdalene, a woman JESUS “ healed of evil spirits and infirmities” [Luke 7:2Revised Standard]; ten lepers [Luke 17:11-19] and one of the lepers was a Samaritan; a man who was not in his right mind, who was also homeless and naked [Luke 8:27]; and others “left out.”
As the body of CHRIST, we must “look around” at all the various “parts” “left out” and care for and minister to them too.