1 Corinthians 12:12-31a (NRSV)
Read 1 Corinthians 12:12-31a on biblegateway.com
Verse 12For 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. Verse 13For in the one Spirit we were all baptized into one body-Jews or Greeks, slaves or free-and we were all made to drink of one Spirit. Verse 14Indeed, the body does not consist of one member but of many. Verse 15If the foot would 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. Verse 16And if the ear would 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. Verse 17If the whole body were an eye, where would the hearing be? If the whole body were hearing, where would the sense of smell be? Verse 18But as it is, God arranged the members in the body, each one of them, as he chose. Verse 19If all were a single member, where would the body be? Verse 20As it is, there are many members, yet one body. Verse 21The eye cannot say to the hand, "I have no need of you," nor again the head to the feet, "I have no need of you." Verse 22On the contrary, the members of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, Verse 23and those members of the body that we think less honorable we clothe with greater honor, and our less respectable members are treated with greater respect; Verse 24whereas our more respectable members do not need this. But God has so arranged the body, giving the greater honor to the inferior member, Verse 25that there may be no dissension within the body, but the members may have the same care for one another. Verse 26If one member suffers, all suffer together with it; if one member is honored, all rejoice together with it.
Verse 27Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it. Verse 28And God has appointed in the church first apostles, second prophets, third teachers; then deeds of power, then gifts of healing, forms of assistance, forms of leadership, various kinds of tongues. Verse 29Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles? Verse 30Do all possess gifts of healing? Do all speak in tongues? Do all interpret? Verse 31But strive for the greater gifts. And I will show you a still more excellent way.
Devotion
In my studies to become an occupational therapist, I learned the human body’s intricacies—cells, nerves, vessels, muscles, bones, organs, etc.—all wonderfully made and woven together. I can’t think of anything more miraculously unified than the human body. The complex interdependency of the body’s parts is crucial for its health and ability to function.
Imagine that Paul compares the Christian Church community to the awesome human body! Despite understanding this comparison, I often fail to marvel at the unique gifts of each member in the body of Christ. I do not seek ways to fully include every person. I do not acknowledge that I, as an individual member, and the body, as the entire Church, are not healthy, functional or whole unless all are welcomed, encouraged and supported in their insights, contributions, services, struggles and joys. Therefore, to achieve Christian unity, we must lovingly practice inclusivity and interdependency.
Prayer
God of All, strengthen our resolve to include and depend on all of your wondrous children as we unite to do your work here and throughout the world. Amen.