The Body of Christ: Every Christian is needed
And the eye cannot say to the hand, “I have not need of you” (1 Corinthians 12:21, see verses 21-26).
In 1 Corinthians 12:20 Paul reaffirms that the body has many members, and each one is needed! In the previous verses the problem was members of the body feeling they were not as gifted as they wanted to be. In verse 21 Paul turns to another issue – members of the body feeling superior to fellow Christians and not valuing them. He highlights self-centredness and independence. The comparisons he makes are interesting. The eye, with which we see, is compared to the hand with which we do things. The head, where the brain does the thinking, is compared to the feet which do the walking. He compares what represents perception, thoughtfulness and intelligence with what represents action, practicality and toughness. This point would not have been lost on the gifted but proud Corinthians. They liked the intellectual aspects of Christianity but had forgotten about the practical expression of true Christian love, which Paul brings home to them so beautifully and powerfully in chapter 13. God knows just what we are like. He knows that we can gravitate into particular groups and can begin to feel more important than other believers who do not think in precisely the same way as we do. And we can act in the most unchristian ways to support this behaviour. The eye and the head are higher up the body than the hands and the feet. But we would not get very far without these lower parts of the body. Paul teaches us that the members we can think are of little importance are essential to the body of Christ.
Paul points out that we dress physically to care for the whole body. It would be very unusual if we went out in the morning with an overcoat on but no shoes. We should not undervalue or exclude fellow believers for whom Christ died, but make every effort to acknowledge the value and contribution each one makes. This is so there are no divisions in the body and every member expresses the same care for every other member (verse 25).
When, for example, you injure your leg and it swells up, and it is difficult to move, what is happening? The body is coming to the aid of the damaged part by protecting it and immediately starting the healing process. Paul writes in verse 26, “If one member suffers all the members suffer with it.” When we are ill, our whole body feels it and sympathises. That is how we are to react in the body of Christ. If one believer suffers, we are to act with compassion to protect them and encourage the healing that is needed. In so sympathising, we minister Christ, our great High Priest. He feels our needs and acts to meet them (Hebrews 4:14-16).
Equally, being in the church of Christ is a joyful experience. We should rejoice in the progress and expression of Christ seen in the lives of fellow Christians. It is an enormous encouragement to a brother or sister to know they are appreciated. We need to see Christ in one another and value our fellow believers, especially those with whom we meet regularly. In doing so, we not only demonstrate the One Body, we also reflect our Saviour who treasures each and every one of His people.
