I Corinthians 12:20-27: "All for One and One for All"
Paul continues his illustration of the human body as the body of Christ. In this section he will discuss the dependence we have on one another to work together for the cause of Christ. Paul begins, "But now there are many members, but on body". Paul reiterates the variety of members that we have within the common body of Christ. The emphasis on one body will be the focus of this section as he discusses the interdependence we have with one another.
To continue the human body metaphor, Paul writes, "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'". Within the context of this section, these statements clearly reflect an issue of arrogance within the Corinthian church. As in the last section where individuals were acting like they could not be part of the body because they did not have the spiritual gift they wanted, individuals in this section are being confronted for acting like their gifts and roles were superior to others and therefore, some individuals were not necessary. MacArthur writes, "That attitude was common in the Corinthian assembly. A few prominent and gifted members acted as if they were self-sufficient, as if they could carry on their ministries and daily Christian living completely by themselves or with only a few select friends. They overestimated their own importance and underestimated that of other believers". Paul is trying to make clear that each and every part of the body is equally important, carrying on different functions that are necessary for the proper functioning of the body.
Paul continues, "On the contrary, it is much truer that the members of the body which seem to be weaker are necessary". This was a direct exhortation of the more prominent members who felt they were more important and vital to the ministry than those who had less exposure and seemingly important roles. To carry on the illustration of the human body, a hand may get more attention and taken more care of than the lungs, however, the lungs are actually much more vital to survival than a hand. You can lose a hand and continue to live, however, without your lungs you would quickly perish. In the same way, those who were exalting themselves up as the most important members of the body, were most likely less important than the behind-the-scenes worker who diligently served without any recognition. Those people are much harder to come by. Also, Paul writes, "and those members of the body, which we deem less honorable, on these we bestow more abundant honor, and our unseemly members come to have more abundant seemliness". MacArthur writes, "Less honorable probably refers to the parts of our body that are not attractive. It seems best to see this as referring to the torso in general- the part on which we hang clothes. It might include flabby thighs or a paunch, but is usually covered and considered less attractive . . . Unseemly means shameful, indecent, or unrepresentable and here refers to those parts of the body that are considered private and to be covered. In virtually all societies of history, with the exceptions of a few primitive tribes, those parts of the body have been treated with modesty . . . It is not those parts of the body themselves, but the display of them, that is unseemly and shameful. When they are properly treated they become more decent, just as the less honorable parts, when properly treated, become more attractive". Again, all this to show that each part of the body carries out an important role, and we must make sure we treat each part properly in order for the body to do its work.
Paul explains God's purpose in His design, "God has so composed the body, giving more abundant honor to that member which lacked, that there should be no division in the body, but that the members should have the same care for one another". This verse clearly shows us that it is God's purposeful intention that some members quietly do there work here on earth without receiving proper credit for their work. However, we will watch these very members receive their due praise in heaven. Because of God's purpose for His church, each part is just as important as the next, ever person has been given their spiritual gift and ministry from God, therefore, none can brag and boast, and there absolutely should be no division. Each should be given the some respect and honor. It is dangerous when we feel we are somehow more important or more gifted than another in the ministry and we would act in such a way to cause division. And for this purpose, Paul writes, "if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; if one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it". If each part of the body understands the vital role it plays and respects and honors the other as a brother and sister in Christ, when one part is hurting or suffering, it is felt all throughout the body. Not only is it felt, but it is the job of the church to gather around the suffering parts and do what it takes to encourage, lift up, and make well again. In the same vein, if someone is honored or does something that encourages and helps the body of Christ, their should be complete rejoicing in it. Because of our sinful and jealous heart, at times we find it hard to rejoice for one who has succeeded or received praise for a job well done. We desire to receive that praise and receive the honor they are getting. May our hearts desire to rejoice with those who do a faithful job, and come alongside and encourage those who suffer, knowing that each part of the body is equally important.
To summarize, Paul concludes, "Now you are Christ's body, and individually members of it". This statement shows the diversity and unity of the body, under the headship of Christ. We are all part of a whole, that makes up Christ's body. MacArthur writes, "Paul reminded the Corinthian be livers that, individually and collectively, they were Christ's very body, the church for whom He died. They were one in Him and so should be one in each other. They were 'not lacking in any gift' (1:7) and were perfectly equipped to represent and serve the Lord. As a local congregation they were Christ's body in miniature, a representation of Jesus Christ to all of Corinth".
To continue the human body metaphor, Paul writes, "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'". Within the context of this section, these statements clearly reflect an issue of arrogance within the Corinthian church. As in the last section where individuals were acting like they could not be part of the body because they did not have the spiritual gift they wanted, individuals in this section are being confronted for acting like their gifts and roles were superior to others and therefore, some individuals were not necessary. MacArthur writes, "That attitude was common in the Corinthian assembly. A few prominent and gifted members acted as if they were self-sufficient, as if they could carry on their ministries and daily Christian living completely by themselves or with only a few select friends. They overestimated their own importance and underestimated that of other believers". Paul is trying to make clear that each and every part of the body is equally important, carrying on different functions that are necessary for the proper functioning of the body.
Paul continues, "On the contrary, it is much truer that the members of the body which seem to be weaker are necessary". This was a direct exhortation of the more prominent members who felt they were more important and vital to the ministry than those who had less exposure and seemingly important roles. To carry on the illustration of the human body, a hand may get more attention and taken more care of than the lungs, however, the lungs are actually much more vital to survival than a hand. You can lose a hand and continue to live, however, without your lungs you would quickly perish. In the same way, those who were exalting themselves up as the most important members of the body, were most likely less important than the behind-the-scenes worker who diligently served without any recognition. Those people are much harder to come by. Also, Paul writes, "and those members of the body, which we deem less honorable, on these we bestow more abundant honor, and our unseemly members come to have more abundant seemliness". MacArthur writes, "Less honorable probably refers to the parts of our body that are not attractive. It seems best to see this as referring to the torso in general- the part on which we hang clothes. It might include flabby thighs or a paunch, but is usually covered and considered less attractive . . . Unseemly means shameful, indecent, or unrepresentable and here refers to those parts of the body that are considered private and to be covered. In virtually all societies of history, with the exceptions of a few primitive tribes, those parts of the body have been treated with modesty . . . It is not those parts of the body themselves, but the display of them, that is unseemly and shameful. When they are properly treated they become more decent, just as the less honorable parts, when properly treated, become more attractive". Again, all this to show that each part of the body carries out an important role, and we must make sure we treat each part properly in order for the body to do its work.
Paul explains God's purpose in His design, "God has so composed the body, giving more abundant honor to that member which lacked, that there should be no division in the body, but that the members should have the same care for one another". This verse clearly shows us that it is God's purposeful intention that some members quietly do there work here on earth without receiving proper credit for their work. However, we will watch these very members receive their due praise in heaven. Because of God's purpose for His church, each part is just as important as the next, ever person has been given their spiritual gift and ministry from God, therefore, none can brag and boast, and there absolutely should be no division. Each should be given the some respect and honor. It is dangerous when we feel we are somehow more important or more gifted than another in the ministry and we would act in such a way to cause division. And for this purpose, Paul writes, "if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; if one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it". If each part of the body understands the vital role it plays and respects and honors the other as a brother and sister in Christ, when one part is hurting or suffering, it is felt all throughout the body. Not only is it felt, but it is the job of the church to gather around the suffering parts and do what it takes to encourage, lift up, and make well again. In the same vein, if someone is honored or does something that encourages and helps the body of Christ, their should be complete rejoicing in it. Because of our sinful and jealous heart, at times we find it hard to rejoice for one who has succeeded or received praise for a job well done. We desire to receive that praise and receive the honor they are getting. May our hearts desire to rejoice with those who do a faithful job, and come alongside and encourage those who suffer, knowing that each part of the body is equally important.
To summarize, Paul concludes, "Now you are Christ's body, and individually members of it". This statement shows the diversity and unity of the body, under the headship of Christ. We are all part of a whole, that makes up Christ's body. MacArthur writes, "Paul reminded the Corinthian be livers that, individually and collectively, they were Christ's very body, the church for whom He died. They were one in Him and so should be one in each other. They were 'not lacking in any gift' (1:7) and were perfectly equipped to represent and serve the Lord. As a local congregation they were Christ's body in miniature, a representation of Jesus Christ to all of Corinth".
posted by amesfam | 4:48 PM
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