United As A Member of The Body By Grace

We are all recipients of God’s grace, which is His undeserved favor. We are all sinners who deserve God’s judgment; however, because God has extended His grace to all mankind, we should all be grateful to Him. Therefore, as the verse indicates, we should not think more highly of ourselves than we ought. We were all created by God to fulfill His purpose. Though we each have different roles, none of the roles we serve in are more important than another. Paul uses the illustration of the body to show the equal importance of each body part as it relates to the functionality of the whole body.

Paul declares in 1 Corinthians 12:14–17 (KJV):

“[14] For the body is not one member, but many. [15] If the foot shall say, Because I am not the hand, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body? [16] And if the ear shall say, Because I am not the eye, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body? [17] If the whole body were an eye, where were the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where were the smelling?”

In verse 14, it states, “For the body is not one member, but many.” The body has individual members that together make up the whole body. Each member has a different role, but collectively they come together as one. No one member is more important than another, because for the whole body to function properly, all the members must effectively work together and do their part.

1 Corinthians 12:15–17 states:

“[15] If the foot shall say, Because I am not the hand, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body? [16] And if the ear shall say, Because I am not the eye, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body? [17] If the whole body were an eye, where were the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where were the smelling?”

Paul indicates here that no member of the body can separate themselves from the body. Using the illustration of different body parts, he teaches that no one member can argue that because they do not serve in the same role as another member, they are not part of the body. We are all inherently connected, and together we make up the body.

The church is the same way. People serve in different capacities; however, their individual roles do not overshadow the whole body. Each member, in their capacity, is not greater than any other member. We all obtained access to the body of Christ through God’s divine grace.

So let no one boast, compete, or look down on another, for every member of the body has value in the eyes of God. The hand cannot replace the foot, the eye cannot dismiss the ear, and no servant can exalt themselves above another. We stand where we are only by the grace of God. Therefore, let us humble ourselves, honor one another, and faithfully serve in the place God has assigned us. When every member works together in love, the body of Christ is strengthened, the church is unified, and God alone receives the glory.