12:5 What does Paul mean that "We being many are one body in Christ"?
12:5 What does Paul mean that "We being many are one body in Christ"?
Paul uses the human body with its many members as an analogy to illustrate his point that the church is comprised of many Christians (CP 1Cor 10:16-17; 12:12-14; Eph 1:22-23; 2:13-16; Col 1:18,24).
The various members of the human body perform different functions, but all contribute to the unity of the body, so it is with the members of the body of Christ (CP 1Cor 12:18-27).
In using the analogy of the human body, Paul is not arguing for a pattern of uniformity and sameness in the body of Christ, but for a unity of faith and diversity of functions (CP V4-18, 28-31). See also comments on 1Cor 12:12-17, 12:28 and 2Cor 10:12.
12:9-10 See comments on Jn 13:34-35.
12:16 See comments on Ro 12:3.