The One Body
Scripture
1 Corinthians 12:12-27
12 For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ.
13 For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.
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?
18 But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him.
19 And if they were all one member, where were the body?
20 But now are they many members, yet but one body.
21 And the eye cannot say unto the hand, I have no need of thee: nor again the head to the feet, I have no need of you.
22 Nay, much more those members of the body, which seem to be more feeble, are necessary:
23 and those members of the body, which we think to be less honourable, upon these we bestow more abundant honour; and our uncomely parts have more abundant comeliness.
24 For our comely parts have no need: but God hath tempered the body together, having given more abundant honour to that part which lacked:
25 that there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another.
26 And whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it; or one member be honoured, all the members rejoice with it.
27 Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular.
12 For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ.
13 For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.
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?
18 But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him.
19 And if they were all one member, where were the body?
20 But now are they many members, yet but one body.
21 And the eye cannot say unto the hand, I have no need of thee: nor again the head to the feet, I have no need of you.
22 Nay, much more those members of the body, which seem to be more feeble, are necessary:
23 and those members of the body, which we think to be less honourable, upon these we bestow more abundant honour; and our uncomely parts have more abundant comeliness.
24 For our comely parts have no need: but God hath tempered the body together, having given more abundant honour to that part which lacked:
25 that there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another.
26 And whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it; or one member be honoured, all the members rejoice with it.
27 Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular.
Day 1: The One Body
The image of the church as the Body of Christ is both comforting and challenging. Paul reminds us that just as the human body has many parts with different functions, so it is with the church. Each believer is uniquely gifted, intentionally placed, and vitally important.
While unity implies that the body works together, it does not mean uniformity. The body needs hands and feet, eyes and ears. Diversity is not a weakness—it is God’s design. Problems arise when comparison replaces contentment. Some feel inferior and withdraw, believing they have nothing to offer while others feel superior and dismiss the contributions of those they deem less important.
Paul dismantles both attitudes. No part of the body can say, “I don’t belong,” and no part can say, “I don’t need you.” God has arranged the body exactly as He desires and every role matters.
Unity deepens when we recognize our interdependence. When one member suffers, the whole body feels the pain. When one rejoices, all of us are invited to celebrate. This mutual care reflects Christ’s heart and strengthens the church.
Disunity often stems from misunderstanding our identity. When we forget that we belong to one body, self-centeredness takes root. But when we remember that we are connected through Christ, love begins to flow naturally.
Today, consider how you view your place in the Body of Christ. Are you using your gifts faithfully? Are you honoring the gifts of others? Ask God to help you see the church through His eyes—not as a collection of individuals, but as one living body, working together for His glory.
Unity flourishes when each member embraces their God-given role and values the contribution of others.
While unity implies that the body works together, it does not mean uniformity. The body needs hands and feet, eyes and ears. Diversity is not a weakness—it is God’s design. Problems arise when comparison replaces contentment. Some feel inferior and withdraw, believing they have nothing to offer while others feel superior and dismiss the contributions of those they deem less important.
Paul dismantles both attitudes. No part of the body can say, “I don’t belong,” and no part can say, “I don’t need you.” God has arranged the body exactly as He desires and every role matters.
Unity deepens when we recognize our interdependence. When one member suffers, the whole body feels the pain. When one rejoices, all of us are invited to celebrate. This mutual care reflects Christ’s heart and strengthens the church.
Disunity often stems from misunderstanding our identity. When we forget that we belong to one body, self-centeredness takes root. But when we remember that we are connected through Christ, love begins to flow naturally.
Today, consider how you view your place in the Body of Christ. Are you using your gifts faithfully? Are you honoring the gifts of others? Ask God to help you see the church through His eyes—not as a collection of individuals, but as one living body, working together for His glory.
Unity flourishes when each member embraces their God-given role and values the contribution of others.
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