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so we,<\/span> <\/strong>being<\/em><\/strong><\/span> <\/span>many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another.<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n In Christ you do not exist alone, but as part of a greater whole.<\/p>\n Paul starts off this verse with the Greek word hout\u014ds<\/em><\/span>, which means \u201ceven so.\u201d It is the other half of the kathaper<\/em> <\/span>with which he began the previous verse. Therefore, this verse is a direct correlation to the previous one.<\/p>\n The word translated \u201cmany<\/span>\u201d is pollos<\/em><\/span>, meaning \u201cmuch (singular) or many (plural).\u201d In the Greek text, however, there is also a definite article (the). Thus, we see that the Greek text actually reads, \u201cso we, the many, are one body \u2026<\/span>\u201d<\/p>\n Paul is using the metaphor of a physical body to teach us something. He started off the last verse telling us that we each have a body with many body parts and not all of them have the same bodily function. And, you will remember that he started off the previous verse with \u201cvery much as<\/span>\u201d or \u201cin the same way that<\/span>\u201d meaning that he was making a close comparison between the physical body and something else.<\/p>\n The current verse contains that something else. So, just as we each have one body with many members, we the many, says Paul, are one body in Christ. This body has a head and in Ephesians Paul tells who the head is:<\/p>\n And He<\/span> [God] put all <\/span>things<\/em><\/span> <\/span>under His <\/span>[Christ\u2019s] feet, and gave Him<\/span> [Christ] to be<\/em><\/span> head over all<\/span> things<\/em> <\/span>to the church, which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all. <\/span>(Ephesians 1:22, 23<\/strong><\/span>)<\/p>\n There is only one head in each body, and the head of the body of Christ (the church) is Jesus Christ, Himself. We, the many, that is, the members of the body, are united together in a single body with Christ as our head.<\/p>\n The last part of the current verse can be translated as, \u201cand every one members unto each other.<\/span>\u201d Just as each of our physical bodies is made up of many parts (arms, legs, eyes, mouth, etc.) so the church is made up of many parts, and we each have a function to perform within the body. None of us are isolated members; rather, we are interdependent with each other, just as all of the members of our physical body are interdependent with each other. We are interdependent with all the other parts of the body of Christ for our spiritual nourishment, protection, and health. We need each other.<\/p>\n Here\u2019s how Paul explained the body to the Corinthians:<\/p>\n For in fact the body is not one member but many. If the foot should say, “Because I am not a hand, I am not of the body,” is it therefore not of the body? And if the ear should say, “Because I am not an eye, I am not of the body,” is it therefore not of the body? If the whole body <\/span>were<\/em> <\/span>an eye, where<\/span> would be<\/em><\/span> the hearing? If the whole<\/span> were<\/em> <\/span>hearing, where<\/span> would be<\/em><\/span> the smelling? But now God has set the members, each one of them, in the body just as He pleased.<\/span> (1Corinthians 12:14-18<\/strong><\/span>)<\/p>\n These are important facts to keep in mind as we begin to talk about spiritual gifts. These gifts were not given to us for our personal use but for use within the church. Your spiritual gift is not for you, it is for the church. Think about that!<\/p>\n In God\u2019s service, for His glory,<\/strong><\/p>\nTruth to Learn<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n
Behind the Words<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n
Meaning Explained<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n
Application<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n
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