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 12:14-20 ESV
Understanding this passage requires that we understand the context. The Corinthian church was heavily divided. They had written to Paul and asked for advice on spiritual people in the church (1 Corinthians 12:1-3). Paul explains that there are different types of spiritual services, gifts and ministries that a person may have, but it all comes from the same Spirit (1 Corinthians 12:4-11). These different people, through their variety, form a body (1 Corinthians 12:12-13).
In these verses, Paul looks to flesh out what it means to be one body. He reflects first, in these verses (12:14-20), that the members cannot say that they do not belong. He then goes on to address how they treat each other in 1 Corinthians 12:21-26.
But starting here in verse 14, the body metaphor is built upon:
For the body does not consist of one member but of many.
1 Corinthians 12:14 ESV
This verse continues Paul’s thought from his previous two verses. There are varieties of members; Jews and Gentiles, slaves and free. Likewise, there are varieties of service; in ministry, in gifts, in activity. Yet, despite the many differences, the body is entirely one.
The bond of the body is not superficial; it isn’t about agreeing to the face and disagreeing behind the back. It is a real and strong bond, growing from the inside to the outside. Sewn together by God and with many joints, ligaments, tissue and members. Moving your arm moves many parts of the body, not the arm alone. That is to say the body acts in one mind, and in one judgement:
I appeal to you, brothers, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and the same judgment.
1 Corinthians 1:10 ESV
So this fourteenth verse talks to the unity of the body. It is to act with a sole purpose, a singular judgement and mind. It can do this because each was baptised into the one body by the one Spirit.
He then proceeds to deal with how each member reflects upon its own position within the body:
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.
1 Corinthians 12:15-16 ESV
This reflection of the body is internal. The foot says to itself “because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body.” It speaks nothing to whether the foot believes the hand should be part of the body, only that the foot believes it should not. This sentiment can arise from many different ways of thinking.
For example, if one member is jealous of another, they may feel like they don’t belong. That is to say ‘because I am not a foot, I am inferior.’ So jealousy is one way that a body part may feel disconnected. It may have forgotten the function of each part is for the whole. Likewise. if one member is intimidated by another, they may feel like they don’t belong. That is to say ‘I am a foot, how could I address a hand?’
But this metaphor is not limited to self-depreciation only. If one member esteems themselves too highly, this could also cause them to feel like they don’t belong. That is to say ‘I am a foot, I do not belong among these hands’. While it’s certainly possible, the following verses seem to deal with that concept more plainly.
No matter the cause, if any member does not feel like they belong, that does not make it so. In this verse we find encouragement for anyone feeling dejected, or counsel for anyone overtaken by jealousy or pride.
Paul then continues:
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 12:17-20 ESV
In this verse, Paul corrects their thinking. He shows that the body is in need of the many members. If they feel inferior, how could it be so? Does the body have one member only? Not at all. So, the body is in need of you. Likewise, if one is overtaken by their jealousy or pride; does the body have need of you only? Not at all. For the body couldn’t function without all the other members.
To summarise, the body of Christ has unity of judgement and mind. Each baptised by the one Spirit into the one body, each called by God, each uniquely gifted by, but all are necessary for the church. To anyone reading this verse and low in spirit, be encouraged. But for those puffed up and deceived of their worth, be humble.
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