Body Parts
Categories: Church of Christ Bulletin Articles
The apostle Paul wrote three letters to the little church at Corinth. Only two have survived. He wrote more letters to that little congregation of Christians than any of the other churches.
Corinth was a thriving city only 50 miles from Athens. It was built at the crossroads of the Roman world. It was visited by several of the Roman emperors. Julius Caesar helped rebuild the city in 44 B.C. into a thriving Roman colony. It was a city of pagan temples, brothels, Roman arenas, and Olympic Games. It was known as one of the most morally corrupt cities of the ancient world. Paul had much work ahead of him
Paul visited this city after he left Athens (Acts 18:1-18). He wrote his letters to clarify the faulty thinking of these early believers. They had recently come out of paganism but were so steeped the culture of their background that it was necessary for Paul to address certain issues had come to his attention. Several particular verses caught my eye. These apply directly to us.
In 1 Corinthians 12:14-27 NIV, Paul is addressing an important problem. He explains the problem through metaphors of the body. Each body part contributes to the welfare of the whole body. “Now the body is not made up of one part but many.” Each body part has a job to do. He mentions the foot, the ear, the eye, the hand, and the head. All of the body parts are indispensable! Therefore, as applied to people….everyone has a place in their Christian community. There are certain jobs that only you can do.
The problem in this little church was being so immature in their faith that they didn’t grasp the idea that “whosoever of you will be the chiefest shall be servant of all” (Mark 10:44 KJV). These early believers were self-seeking and self-serving and prideful. That is why Paul emphasizes that no one person is better than another employing the idea of parts of the whole body, and that all should contribute to the church to unify the body.
I view many of the “mega churches” with disapproval in this regard. The faithful are sometimes lost in the shuffle of numbers. Somehow the importance of each individual member as a viable working component of the church is lost. People come and go….sing, pray, listen to the sermon and take their leave. No one will miss them. No one even knows their name. They fill a pew, give their weekly tithe and when the “ceremonies” are finished they “escape”!
God expects more. Paul addressed this very problem.
“Now you are the body of Christ, (the church) and each one of you is part of it.” (1 Corinthians 12:27 NIV).
Yes, you have a part in the Lord’s work (Ephesians 4:11-16; cf. 1 Corinthians 15:58). When coming to faith (Romans 10:17), we are expected to be disciples. Each has a job to do; each has been given a role in the Body of Christ.
Find it! Do it!
—Barbara Hyland, guest writer