|
(4) But there are distinctions of gifts, but the same Spirit; (5) and there are distinctions of services, and the same Lord; (6) and there are distinctions of operations, but the same God who operates all things in all. (7) But to each the manifestation of the Spirit is given for profit. (8) For to one, by the Spirit, is given [the] word of wisdom; and to another [the] word of knowledge, according to the same Spirit; (9) and to a different one faith, in [the power of] the same Spirit; and to another gifts of healing in [the power of] the same Spirit; (10) and to another operations of miracles; and to another prophecy; and to another discerning of spirits; and to a different one kinds of tongues; and to another interpretation of tongues. (11) But all these things operates the one and the same Spirit, dividing to each in particular according as he pleases. (12) For even as the body is one and has many members, but all the members of the body, being many, are one body, so also [is] the Christ. (13) For also in [the power of] one Spirit *we* have all been baptised into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, whether bondmen or free, and have all been given to drink of one Spirit. (14) For also the body is not one member but many. (15) If the foot say, Because I am not a hand I am not of the body, is it on account of this not indeed of the body? (16) And if the ear say, Because I am not an eye I am not of the body, is it on account of this not indeed of the body? (17) If the whole body [were] an eye, where the hearing? if all hearing, where the smelling? (18) But now God has set the members, each one of them in the body, according as it has pleased [him]. (19) But if all were one member, where the body? (20) But now the members [are] many, and the body one. (21) The eye cannot say to the hand, I have not need of thee; or again, the head to the feet, I have not need of you. (22) But much rather, the members of the body which seem to be weaker are necessary; (23) and those [parts] of the body which we esteem to be the more void of honour, these we clothe with more abundant honour; and our uncomely [parts] have more abundant comeliness; (24) but our comely [parts] have not need. But God has tempered the body together, having given more abundant honour to [the part] that lacked; (25) that there might be no division in the body, but that the members might have the same concern one for another. (26) And if one member suffer, all the members suffer with [it]; and if one member be glorified, all the members rejoice with [it].
|
|
In verses 4-11, Paul shows that each person God places in the body receives gifts for the benefit of the entire body. In verses 14-20, he explains that diversity in the body is necessary because, if the entire body was just one part, it could not function. The diversity in this context is in terms of gifts, not doctrine, nationality, sex, or race. Diversity enables the body to be much more effective, efficient, and versatile in performing its intended purpose. Each person has a specific function necessary to the whole.
In verses 21-25, Paul makes a veiled warning that we need to guard against both pride in our abilities and its opposite—equally vain—that we have nothing to give. We become useful members when we choose to set aside these vanities and begin doing what we should.
Verse 18, combined with verses 22-26, teaches us that God Himself has organized the body. We need to understand that the greatest Authority in all of creation has specifically placed us within it and given us gifts. If the body is to function as He has purposed, each part must recognize his individual dependence upon and concern for the whole. In addition, each must understand what the body is designed to accomplish. It is the responsibility of each part to subordinate himself to God to produce the unity that will enable the whole body to do its work.
God expresses these concerns for the body because He wants it to function efficiently and effectively in unity. Therefore, what happens to one part, or what one part does, affects the whole. What we do does indeed make a difference because we are individual parts of a living, spiritual organism. Our actions will produce an increase of good or evil, efficiency or inefficiency in the use of spiritual resources, effectiveness or ineffectiveness of our witness, and growth or backsliding in the grace and the knowledge of Jesus Christ.
— John W. Ritenbaugh