Lesson 9 — The Church: The Body of Christ

I Corinthians 12:12-31


Introduction

Unified diversity? At first glace this term appears to be an oxymoron, but as we examine Paul’s analogy of the Church to the body, this concept is clarified. Christ’s Church was never intended to be a “Christian Clone Factory,” where everyone thinks and acts exactly alike. Paul’s body metaphor stands in stark contrast to such an idea. He shows us the Church as it should be, a place where different ideas and abilities blend together just as different instruments blend together in an orchestra to create beautiful music.

Contexual Overview

After giving instructions regarding the Lord’s Supper in chapter eleven, Paul continues to address problems experienced by the Corinthian Church. The conflicts experienced by the church no doubt arose from the diverse cultural, socio-economic, and religious backgrounds of its members. In chapter twelve, Paul’s focus shifts to spiritual gifts. He responds to conflicts regarding the relative importance of individual gifts by comparing them to the parts of the body and emphasizing each one’s significance to the church as a whole. This discourse precedes the well known love chapter in which Paul explains the spirit of love in which the gifts should be exercised.

Outline 

I. One Body, Many Parts (Diversity of Gifts) (12:12-26)
A. One body unified in spirit (vv.12-13)
B. Many parts (diversity) of the body (vv. 14-17)
C. Parts of the body are assembled by God (v. 18)
D. Interdependence of body parts (vv. 19-21)
E. All parts are necessary and honorable (vv. 22-24)
F. No division but united; suffering and honored together 
(vv. 25-26)

II. Body of Christ (12:27-31)

A. Each one is part of it 
B. God has given different gifts
C. Just as with the physical body, members of the spiritual body have different gifts
D. All strive to work together for the benefit of the whole 

Application: “Synergy” in Christ’s Church

The Church-Body metaphor beautifully illustrates the concept of synergy. Synergy has become a buzz word in businesses and organizations in recent years. Simply defined, it means that the whole is more than the sum of its parts. Steven Covey in his book, The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People, illustrates synergy with the mathematical equation: 1 + 1 = 3. Synergy happens when two things combine to create more than could have been produced had they stood alone.

Synergy is shown through God’s design of the natural world on a daily basis. Consider the human body, as Paul did. Each part is completely dependent on another; no part can survive apart from the body. Yet when combined, each part contributes to form the most efficient machine in the world.

The study of chemistry reveals God’s synergistic design. Consider the components of table salt. It is a combination of the explosive metal sodium and the deadly gas chlorine. When combined, they create a compound necessary for survival. It is not surprising that God chose the synergistic union of two very different individuals, man and woman, to create the miracle of birth.

Paul explains to the Corinthians that God expects his Church, like the rest of his creation, to exhibit synergy. How is this achieved? How can members maintain their diversity, yet lose their own selfish identity, to become the Body of Christ? Paul gives us a hint in vv. 12-13. We must submit our wills to be led by the One Spirit that dwells within all baptized believers. The indwelling of that Spirit gives humility. Steven Covey describes the relationship between humility and synergy. He states: “The person who is truly effective has the humility and reverence to recognize his own personal limitations and to appreciate the rich resources available through the hearts and minds of others.” We must constantly remind ourselves that the Church is God’s creation, not ours. Paul points out that God combines the members of his body (v. 24). Recognizing this, each member of Christ’s Church must submissively trust God to use him where he sees fit and view other church members as fellow instruments to be used collectively by the hand of God.

Discussion Questions

1. Can you think of a time when you were part of an organization, team or committee that was able to overcome selfish conflict and work not only cooperatively but synergistically? List several factors that made this possible.

2. Consider the opposite situation. Can you think of a time where a group you were part of was unable to get anything accomplished because of selfish conflict? What things stood in the way of group synergy?

3. In verse 13, baptism is described as the entry into the One Spirit. What is the significance of baptism to the unity of the Church? 

4. Consider the Body-Church analogy in depth. How is the Church like the human body? How is it strengthened, weakened, coordinated, etc.?

5. Why is diversity important to Christ’s Church? What might happen if the Church discouraged diversity?

6. People often lay aside personal differences in times of crisis and are able to work synergistically. Why does this happen? How can we apply this to the Church?

7. Identify a situation or ministry in this congregation that needs greater teamwork. What can be done to create synergy?

-Alan Buchanan


(Alan Buchanan has been a teacher and football coach for the past twelve years. He and his wife, Tami, have been married 13 years and have two sons: Jake and Jesse. An experienced Bible class teacher, Alan is regularly involved in teaching in our adult education ministry. Prior to moving to Little Rock, Alan served as a Deacon at the College Avenue church in El Dorado.)