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1 Corinthians 12:20-26
The Apostle Paul wrote this letter to the church at Corinth because he had been informed of divisions and contentions from within them (1 Corinthians 1:10-11). As he has been leading them and teaching them to have conduct becoming of a Christian/representative of Jesus, he reminds them that all are one in Christ Jesus. He has already declared to them in 1 Corinthians 12:13-14 (NKJV), “13For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body – whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free – and have all been made to drink into one Spirit. 14For in fact the body is not one member but many.” He now reiterates this in 1 Corinthians 12:20 as he states, “20But now indeed there are many members, yet one body.” Any time something is mentioned in the Bible and then soon after reiterated, should grab our attention to plant that teaching in our hearts with special care and dedication. In this case, the Apostle Paul wants to make sure that the congregation of the church at Corinth recognizes each member of the body of Christ Jesus with the same importance. He teaches in 1 Corinthians 12:23-26, “23And those members of the body which we think to be less honorable, on these we bestow greater honor; and our unpresentable parts have greater honor; and our unpresentable parts have greater modesty, 24but our presentable parts have no need. But God composed the body, having given greater honor to that part which lacks it, 25that there should be no schism in the body, but that the members should have the same care for one another. 26And if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; or if one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it.”
This is a promise that each member of the body of Christ Jesus is equally important.
This is a command to recognize, celebrate, and suffer with each other – in Christ.
We are all one in Christ Jesus. That’s the goal for our lives and our attitudes in this world as we strive to follow Jesus. Jesus taught in Matthew 7:12 (NIV), “So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.” This is what we have named “The Golden Rule” and is a resemblance of the heart that seeks to follow Jesus. When asked which commandment was the great one, the reply that Jesus gave is found in Matthew 22:37-40 (HCSB) as He instructed, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the greatest and most important command. The second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself. All the Law and the Prophets depend on these two commands” (Deuteronomy 6:5; Leviticus 19:18). We all should work together in support of one another in Christ Jesus for there is none that is not important in the eyes of God.
Dear LORD,
Please help us to recognize and understand that each person in Christ Jesus has an important role in Your great plan of salvation for the world, which includes everyone, everywhere, for we are all one in Christ Jesus regardless of the individual gifts and paths that You have given us. Thank You LORD for the work that goes on behind the scenes and for those in which You have entrusted it to – in Christ. In Jesus name I pray, amen.