One Body, Many Parts

“For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another.”

Romans 12:4-5 emphasis added

We will consider these two verses over the next two weeks, but I want to focus our attention on verse 4 which is highlighted. The Apostle Paul mentioned an idea that he expands in 1 Corinthians 12. He begins discussing spiritual gifts, which he also mentions here, then he adds,

“For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ. For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—Jews or Greeks, slaves or free—and all were made to drink of one Spirit. For the body does not consist of one member but of many. If the foot should say, “Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body,” that would not make it any less a part of the body. And if the ear should say, “Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body,” that would not make it any less a part of the body. If the whole body were an eye, where would be the sense of hearing? If the whole body were an ear, where would be the sense of smell? But as it is, God arranged the members in the body, each one of them, as he chose. If all were a single member, where would the body be? As it is, there are many parts, yet one body.”

1 Corinthians 12:12-20

In Romans and 1 Corinthians he reminds us that we are a part of the Body of Christ, the Church. Jesus is the head of the church giving us life, guidance, protection, and provision. He died to pay for our sins and ever lives to make intercession for us. When we came to faith in Christ we were transferred from the kingdom of darkness into the Kingdom of God’s Son. We were placed immediately into the universal Body of Christ joined together with all true believers from all time. We are all equally his children and equally loved. But he has also made us to be different parts of his Body. We all have different abilities we were born with and talents we have developed over time. In addition to these, God has given us spiritual gifts which are special enduements of the Holy Spirit that you did not have prior to being a Christian! So, these gifts are distinct from the natural “gifts” you would have had whether or not you had become a Christian. We don’t know how many spiritual gifts we have or if we received them all at conversion or if he gives them when we need them, but the point is, he will always give us what we need to serve him in whatever he asks us to do.

In addition, even people with the same gift don’t necessarily have the same measure of that gift. One person may be able to hold the attention of a stadium full of people while another is gifted to hold the attention of a Sunday School class for an hour. God gives us what we need for what he has called us to do and where he has placed us. We shouldn’t feel jealous if God has given someone else greater gifting than us. He gives to each one according to his purpose and his will.

What are some of the takeaways?

1.   We don’t have every gift.
2.   Every believer has been given spiritual gifts in addition to abilities or talents.
3.   All gifts are important for the Body to function properly.
4.   Not all gifts are going to be visible or public but all are vital.
5.   We don’t have the same level of ability even having the same gifts.
6.   We may not even know we have a particular gift until we step out in faith and try.
7.   Every gift is from God. for his glory, and for the good of others.