Colossians 1:18 (AMP)
18 He is also the head [the life-source and leader] of the body, the [e]church; and He is the beginning, [f]the firstborn from the dead, so that He Himself will occupy the first place [He will stand supreme and be preeminent] in everything.
18 He is also the head [the life-source and leader] of the body, the [e]church; and He is the beginning, [f]the firstborn from the dead, so that He Himself will occupy the first place [He will stand supreme and be preeminent] in everything.
First and foremost, Christ is the Head. We are HIS body. Nothing can be separate from Him and yet joined to the Body. If anything is not directly connected to the Head, it is not part of the Body; therefor, it is foreign.
It is Christ the Head that defines the Body itself. It is also the Head that unifies us.
It is Christ the Head that defines the Body itself. It is also the Head that unifies us.
Once we've been grafted into the Body by and through the Head (Christ), what comes next?
Romans 12:4-8 (AMP)
4 For just as in one [physical] body we have many parts, and these parts do not all have the same function or special use, 5 so we, who are many, are [nevertheless just] one body in Christ, and individually [we are] parts one of another [mutually dependent on each other].
4 For just as in one [physical] body we have many parts, and these parts do not all have the same function or special use, 5 so we, who are many, are [nevertheless just] one body in Christ, and individually [we are] parts one of another [mutually dependent on each other].
Why does Paul compare the church to a physical body?
6 Since we have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, each of us is to use them accordingly: if [someone has the gift of] prophecy, [let him speak a new message from God to His people] in proportion to the faith possessed; 7 if service, in the act of serving; or he who teaches, in the act of teaching; 8 or he who encourages, in the act of encouragement; he who gives, with generosity; he who leads, [d]with diligence; he who shows mercy [in caring for others], with cheerfulness.
Just as a physical body is comprised of different parts, each bearing its own individual responsibilities, every believer is gifted/graced (vs 6) to fulfill a different role in the Church body.
Just as a physical body is comprised of different parts, each bearing its own individual responsibilities, every believer is gifted/graced (vs 6) to fulfill a different role in the Church body.
These verses list several examples of gifts, “parts of the body”. Which of these are greater than the others?
1 Corinthians 12:14-26 (AMP)
14 For the [human] body does not consist of one part, but of many [limbs and organs]. 15 If the foot says, “Because I am not a hand, I am not a part of the body,” is it not on the contrary still a part of the body? 16 If the ear says, “Because I am not an eye, I am not a part of the body,” is it not on the contrary still a part of the body? 17 If the whole body were an eye, where would the hearing be? If the whole [body] were an ear, where would the sense of smell be? 18 But now [as things really are], God has placed and arranged the parts in the body, each one of them, just as He willed and saw fit [with the best balance of function]. 19 If they all were a single organ, where would [the rest of] the body be?20 But now [as things really are] there are many parts [different limbs and organs], but a single body. 21 The 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.” 22 But quite the contrary, the parts of the body that seem to be weaker are [absolutely] necessary; 23 and as for those parts of the body which we consider less honorable, these we treat with greater honor; and our less presentable parts are treated with greater modesty, 24 while our more presentable parts do not require it. But God has combined the [whole] body, giving greater honor to that part which lacks it, 25 so that there would be no division or discord in the body [that is, lack of adaptation of the parts to each other], but that the parts may have the same concern for one another. 26 And if one member suffers, all the parts share the suffering; if one member is honored, all rejoice with it.
14 For the [human] body does not consist of one part, but of many [limbs and organs]. 15 If the foot says, “Because I am not a hand, I am not a part of the body,” is it not on the contrary still a part of the body? 16 If the ear says, “Because I am not an eye, I am not a part of the body,” is it not on the contrary still a part of the body? 17 If the whole body were an eye, where would the hearing be? If the whole [body] were an ear, where would the sense of smell be? 18 But now [as things really are], God has placed and arranged the parts in the body, each one of them, just as He willed and saw fit [with the best balance of function]. 19 If they all were a single organ, where would [the rest of] the body be?20 But now [as things really are] there are many parts [different limbs and organs], but a single body. 21 The 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.” 22 But quite the contrary, the parts of the body that seem to be weaker are [absolutely] necessary; 23 and as for those parts of the body which we consider less honorable, these we treat with greater honor; and our less presentable parts are treated with greater modesty, 24 while our more presentable parts do not require it. But God has combined the [whole] body, giving greater honor to that part which lacks it, 25 so that there would be no division or discord in the body [that is, lack of adaptation of the parts to each other], but that the parts may have the same concern for one another. 26 And if one member suffers, all the parts share the suffering; if one member is honored, all rejoice with it.
Romans 12:3 (AMP)
3 For by the grace [of God] given to me I say to everyone of you not to think more highly of himself [and of his importance and ability] than he ought to think; but to think so as to have sound judgment, as God has apportioned to each a degree of faith [and a purpose designed for service].
3 For by the grace [of God] given to me I say to everyone of you not to think more highly of himself [and of his importance and ability] than he ought to think; but to think so as to have sound judgment, as God has apportioned to each a degree of faith [and a purpose designed for service].
We see here how a “body” is a collection of interconnected parts, and how, as mentioned in Romans 12, we are mutually dependent on one another. Let’s take a step back and look at what Paul writes to the Corinthians in verses 25-26.
25 so that there would be no division or discord in the body [that is, lack of adaptation of the parts to each other], but that the parts may have the same concern for one another. 26 And if one member suffers, all the parts share the suffering; if one member is honored, all rejoice with it.
25 so that there would be no division or discord in the body [that is, lack of adaptation of the parts to each other], but that the parts may have the same concern for one another. 26 And if one member suffers, all the parts share the suffering; if one member is honored, all rejoice with it.
What kind of division or discord is Paul referring to? And what causes it?
Jealousy. Envy. Pride. These are the cancers that plague the Body of Christ. Why should one be jealous of the gift of another? Are we not all unified in Christ? Do we not all share the same goal? We have become consumed with self. Our eyes wander to the flesh, fixed on prestige, stature, and the praises of men.
We should rejoice in the successes of one another, for our brother's success is also our own. We should walk in empathy and be moved with compassion when we see our brother in need, for our brother's need is our own ("but that the parts may have the same concern for one another.")
Verse 26 tells us that if one member suffers, all the parts share the suffering. The body of Christ is connected, unified, in success and in failure, in joy and in trials. This is exactly why we must pray for one another.
We should rejoice in the successes of one another, for our brother's success is also our own. We should walk in empathy and be moved with compassion when we see our brother in need, for our brother's need is our own ("but that the parts may have the same concern for one another.")
Verse 26 tells us that if one member suffers, all the parts share the suffering. The body of Christ is connected, unified, in success and in failure, in joy and in trials. This is exactly why we must pray for one another.
Ephesians 6:18 (AMP)
18 With all prayer and petition pray [with specific requests] at all times [on every occasion and in every season] in the Spirit, and with this in view, stay alert with all perseverance and petition [interceding in prayer] for all [e]God’s people.
18 With all prayer and petition pray [with specific requests] at all times [on every occasion and in every season] in the Spirit, and with this in view, stay alert with all perseverance and petition [interceding in prayer] for all [e]God’s people.
James 5:16 (AMP)
16 Therefore, confess your sins to one another [your false steps, your offenses], and pray for one another, that you may be healed and restored. The heartfelt and persistent prayer of a righteous man (believer) can accomplish much [when put into action and made effective by God—it is dynamic and can have tremendous power].
16 Therefore, confess your sins to one another [your false steps, your offenses], and pray for one another, that you may be healed and restored. The heartfelt and persistent prayer of a righteous man (believer) can accomplish much [when put into action and made effective by God—it is dynamic and can have tremendous power].
Why must we pray for one another to bring about healing and restoration?
Our physical bodies are designed to minister to themselves. The Body of Christ is one and the same. When our brother falls, it is our responsibility to...cast him out? To push him aside? No! We pray for him! We forgive him as Christ forgave us.
The "church" of today is too quick to condemn and cast aside its own; the very ones it needs (mutual dependence). When you break your finger, is it ejected from the hand? Does your body expel the broken finger because of its imperfect state? Of course not! Then why is this so in the church?
Surely we would not want to be handled in such a way should we fall. This realization brings us in full circle, right back to the Commandment of Love.
Surely we would not want to be handled in such a way should we fall. This realization brings us in full circle, right back to the Commandment of Love.
Matthew 22:37-39 (AMP)
37 And Jesus replied to him, “ ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 The second is like it, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself [that is, unselfishly seek the best or higher good for others].’
Summary
-Christ is the Head of the Body
-The Body of Christ (the church) is comprised of many parts, each possessing a specific role/responsibility.
-Every member of the body is mutually dependent on one another.
- No one part/member is more important/significant than the other.
-The Body is always unified and connected in everything. When one part suffers, the entire Body suffers. When one part succeeds, the entire Body succeeds.
-We must always intercede for one another (without ceasing), as this directly affects the church’s unified health and its ability to flourish and operate in power as intended.
37 And Jesus replied to him, “ ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 The second is like it, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself [that is, unselfishly seek the best or higher good for others].’
Summary
-Christ is the Head of the Body
-The Body of Christ (the church) is comprised of many parts, each possessing a specific role/responsibility.
-Every member of the body is mutually dependent on one another.
- No one part/member is more important/significant than the other.
-The Body is always unified and connected in everything. When one part suffers, the entire Body suffers. When one part succeeds, the entire Body succeeds.
-We must always intercede for one another (without ceasing), as this directly affects the church’s unified health and its ability to flourish and operate in power as intended.
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