Romans 12:5: So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another.
This is the first time that Paul has introduced the great theme of the church as the body of Christ. This is the primary subject in Paul’s letter to the Corinthians, Ephesians, and Colossians. The church as the body of Christ is to function as a body. This means that the many members do not have the same gifts. You may have a gift that I could never exercise. There are many members in the body, hundreds of members, and therefore hundreds of gifts. I do not think Paul ever gave a complete list of all the gifts because every time he dealt with gifts of the Spirit he always brought up new gifts which he had not mentioned in previous lists. I am sure the Spirit of God led him to do that. 1
Application
- How awkward is it to walk if you have an ingrown toenail? Your entire body makes you aware of that one big toe that hurts. Every member in the Body of Christ is valuable to all the other members, even if you’re just a big toe! Without you, it causes the rest of the body to walk with a limp.
- Your gifting is not a mystery. Using it with humility is the real challenge. But an even greater challenge is refusing to use it to serve others. Do not boycott the Body of Christ. Take the next step out of your comfort zone, you will be blessed.
Prayer
Lord, teach me that my body belongs to You. You purchased me from the slave market of sin and death. Thank You!
1. McGee, J. V. (1991). Thru the Bible commentary: The Epistles (Romans 9-16) (electronic ed., Vol. 43). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.