I Cor. 12:15-16 ... "If the foot should say, 'Because I am not a hand, I am not a part of the body,' it is not for this reason any the less a part of the body. And if the ear should say, 'Because I am not an eye, I am not a part of the body,' it is not for this reason any the less a part of the body.'"
The church is the body of Christ, (Eph. 1:22-23). As a body is composed of many members that are controlled and coordinated by the head, so is the church. It is a spiritual body composed of many members who are under the control of Christ. Since the church in Corinth was divided over many issues, Paul compared the human body to the spiritual body of the church to discourage the division and rebuild the unity of the church. In the first chapter of First Corinthians he emphasized that Christ alone is the head of this body and that the choice of certain men as leaders of competing parties was entirely out of order. Here in the twelfth chapter he faces the issue of their fragmentation because of differing spiritual gifts. Paul had conferred the power of the Holy Spirit upon certain to enable them to perform miracles. These people unfortunately began to misuse these gifts. Rather than employ them as the means of confirming the truth of the gospel, they made a vain display of them. Those with the more spectacular abilities began to think themselves superior to those whose abilities did not make such a show. And those with the less spectacular abilities began to think themselves inferior to those whose abilities attracted great attention and admiration. Confusion and chaos began to reign over the Corinthian church.
To correct the problem, the apostle called their attention to the harmony that characterizes the human body. The foot does not isolate itself and deny its function to the body because it is not a hand. None of us would want to face life without our feet, even if we possessed remarkable dexterity with our hands. Neither does the ear pull apart from the body and refuse to do its work because it is not a hand. We consider deafness a serious handicap and highly value the vital contribution of hearing to our lives. Our physical bodies are a wonderful harmony of many parts which complement, depend on, and support each other. They experience no rivalry, jealousy, or rejection toward one another.
This same harmony should prevail in the body of Christ. Each Christian is an individual member whose place and function should be respected, honored, and supported by all others. We all know, however, that we fall far short of this ideal in actual practice in the church. We exalt those who are usually in front of the congregation. We feel their work is superior and their places indispensable. This is all well and good until it begins to build the idea that those who are not inside this special circle are somewhat inferior. Many Christians may come to think they are no more than "fillers" in the congregation. They are of value only in filling up pews, tallying up attendance numbers, and performing the menial duties that, though necessary, attract no special attention and elicit little praise. We face a challenge in the church to correct this problem for the good of all. The gifted, extrovert Christian whose duties cause him continually to be seen and heard must be careful "not to think more highly of himself that he ought to think," (Rom. 12:3). He must always remind himself with humility that he is to be a servant to his ordinary brethren. The ungifted, more introvert Christ whose duties are not performed before hosts of eyes must not think he is worthless except to take up space on a pew and increase the numbers on a display board. He must remember that he is important to God, who observes his efforts and uses their effects to accomplish great deeds to His glory.
