God's purpose — Faves of Dave - Bible Study

1Cor. 12:21 The eye cannot say to the hand, “I have no need of you,” nor again the head to the feet, “I have no need of you.” 22 On the contrary, the parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, 23 and on those parts of the body that we think less honorable we bestow the greater honor, and our unpresentable parts are treated with greater modesty, 24 which our more presentable parts do not require. But God has so composed the body, giving greater honor to the part that lacked it, 25 that there may be no division in the body, but that the members may have the same care for one another. 26 If one member suffers, all suffer together; if one member is honored, all rejoice together.

I remember a science teacher in grade school who taught certain parts of the human body were evolutionary leftovers, that they were unnecessary for the functions of the human body. The tonsils and the appendix were such parts. However, as I grew older, I had physicians who explained the value of each of these seemingly insignificant parts of the body. Apparently, the only thing that “evolved” during that time was the knowledge of people in the scientific world.

This section we’re looking at today picks up from where we left off last week and continues Paul’s likening believers in the church to parts of the body. Paul stated in verses 15-16 that one part of the body of Christ cannot argue that they don’t belong to the body of Christ because that person is a “foot” or an “ear,” and they think of themselves as less important.

In verses 21-26, Paul looks at the argument from another perspective. One cannot think of themselves as essential and treat other believers as though they are not. Look at it this way. There are parts of the human body that are more prominent. The head, torso, arms, and legs are large and visible, but not so much the tonsils or the appendix. Paul states in verse 21, “The head cannot say to the feet, ‘I have no need of you.’” The illustration makes perfect sense, doesn’t it? We laugh about how ridiculous it would be for the head to think the feet have no value to the head or body.

Paul’s point is that it’s no less ridiculous for someone in the church to treat another believer as though they have no value to themselves or the body of Christ as a whole. Every part is valuable. Paul drives home the point beginning in verse 22 when he says, “The parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable.” We are to honor every member of the body as equally important within our community of faith. Paul supports this assertion in verse 24, “But God has so composed the body, giving greater honor to the part that lacked it, that there may be no division in the body, but that the members may have the same care for one another.” (vv. 24b-25) Paul is saying, this isn’t my idea. This was God’s design of his church. It is highly valuable to God for there to not be division within the church. So, God has no less important members within the church. The little old lady who sits in the back of the church is no less valuable to the church or God than the minister whose face is seen by thousands of people live and on television or streaming online.

In light of this truth, notice what Paul writes in verse 26. “If one member suffers, all suffer together; if one member is honored, all rejoice together.” What this means is that we not only recognize the mutual value of each person in the body of Christ, we are to act in accordance with that understanding. We need to be concerned about the well-being of each person and have compassion for those who are suffering. Similarly, we must not be envious of the honor another member may receive. We can celebrate that with them.

In light of this text, I think it would be an appropriate challenge to us this week to encourage a brother or sister in Christ to remind them they are valuable in the body of Christ.