Jesus was the source of unity

JESUS WAS THE SOURCEOF UNITY
EDITED BY GLENN PEASE
Romans 12:5 5so in Christ we, though many, form one
body, and each member belongs to all the others.
BIBLEHUB RESOURCES
Churchmanship
Romans 12:4-8
R.M. Edgar
Having seenwhat Christian individualism is meant to be in the preceding
verses, we now enter upon the wider relationof Churchmanship. Forthe
apostle is not here speaking of human nature in its socialaspects, as we find it
so powerfully expounded for us in Bishop Butler's 'Sermons upon Human
Nature,' but in its Church aspect, the relation of the individual to the one
body which has its organic existence "inChrist." The apostle would have us to
believe that we are united as closelyto our fellow-believers as the members of
one body are to one another. In fact, we are members one of another. A selfish
individualism is out of the question; we are bound to the body of believers by
vital and eternalties. Hence we are to consider in this sectionthe constitution
of the body of Christ, that is the Church. And -
I. BELIEVERS ARE TO REGARD THEMSELVES AS ORGANICALLY
UNITED, AND ARE CONSEQUENTLYTO CO-OPERATE FOR THE

COMMON END. (Vers. 4, 5.) We are not meant to be isolatedunits, but
members in sympathy. We are "joint-heirs" with Jesus Christ; we are
consequentlypartners with one another in the greatChristian enterprise. Co-
operation, rather than competition, should be the guiding star of Christian
people. We are distinctly made for the Christian Church, and it is our duty to
promote the happiness and welfare of all our fellow-believers. Organic
connectionimplies co-operationand sympathy of the sincerestcharacter.
II. AS MEMBERS ONE OF ANOTHER, BELIEVERS WILL FIND
THEMSELVES DISTRIBUTEDA VARIETY OF POSITIONS, JUST AS
THE MEMBERS OF THE BODY. (Vers. 6-8.) While believers are members
one of another, we are not reduced to a dead level of uniformity. Edification is
doubtless to be in the body as every joint supplieth it, but the joints are not all
alike;if they were, it would be a curious medley - a conglomerationof mere
atoms, which we should have in place of a body. In the body there is
subordination of member to member, and part to part. The foot is not to
usurp the place of the head, nor the hand that of the eye, else will the body be
turned upside down, and become a monstrosity instead of a thing and form of
beauty. Consequently, we find that in the apostolic Church there were a
variety of offices, and the apostle here specifies the spirit in which they should
be filled and their duties discharged. Let us briefly notice the offices as here
described.
1. Prophecy. The apostle puts this in the very forefront. Parallelpassagesgo to
prove that it was most highly esteemedin the apostolic Church. Thus it is
placed immediately after the working of miracles (1 Corinthians 12:10). In
another place it is spokenof as "the gift of prophecy," and is associatedwith
the "understanding of all mysteries, and of all knowledge"(1 Corinthians
13:2). It is further representedas the necessaryadjunct to speaking with
tongues (1 Corinthians 14:6, 22). And it was evidently regardedas the prime
requisite in the edification of the public congregation;for St. Paul declares,
"If all prophesy, and there come in one that believeth not, or one unlearned,

he is convinced of all, he is judged of all: and thus are the secrets ofhis heart
made manifest; and so falling down on his face he will worship God, and
report that God is in you of a truth" (1 Corinthians 14:24, 25). Now, the more
this matter is lookedinto, the more clearly are we landed in the conclusion
that we have the prophetical office continued in Christ's Church in the
ministry of the Word. Every minister who is called by Christ to the preaching
of the gospel, and endowedby him for the work, is a prophet of the Highest
just as really as Elijah or John the Baptist. If, then, to any of us this grace of
prophecy has been committed, we must exercise it "according to the
proportion of faith" (ἀναλογίαντῆς πίστεως). That is, "the prophet must be
true and sincere, communicating only what God has given him." Moreover,
and chiefly, must he show no disposition to exaggerations in the exposition of
religion, but must give to eachsubject its due place and proportion. Hence Dr.
Shedd, in his 'Commentary' upon the passage,declares, "This injunction of
St. Paul is the keyto systematic theology. No allegedChristian tenet canbe
correctwhich conflicts with other Christian tenets. All Christian truth must
be consistentwith Christianity. Forexample, the Deity of Christ supposes the
doctrine of the Trinity; monergistic regenerationinvolves the doctrine of
election;and an infinite atonement for sin, by God incarnate, logicallyimplies
an infinite penalty for sin."
2. The diaconate. For it is evidently to this particular ministry (διακονίαν)the
apostle is here referring. To the apostolic Church this setof officers was given
to attend to the temporalities of the Church, especiallythe care of the poor,
the sick, and such like. The idea, then, is that thoroughness should
characterize the diaconate just as well as the prophetical office.
3. Teaching. Now, the office of teacheris distinguished from that of prophet in
such passagesas 1 Corinthians 12:28;Ephesians 4:11. It has been suggested
that the prophetical office implies inspiration, while the teacher's only the
common knowledge ofa devout and disciplined Christian mind (Shedd, in
loc.). There is evidently need of a teaching order in the Church as well as of a

preaching or prophetical order. If any is calledto teach, let him be thorough
in his teaching.
4. Exhortation. This is a gift which canbe exercisedby men who do not aspire
to either the prophetical or the teaching office. It deals with the heart and will.
"Evangelists"are for the most part of this character:they go about to stir up
the souls of men to decisionand activity, while their teaching is of necessityof
a very limited description.
5. Giving. This applies to the distribution by the deaconofthe Church's
charity, and it may also apply to the private beneficence ofthe Church-
member. In either case simplicity of motive and of aim is to characterize the
giver. Charity should be exercisedwithout parade and without any ulterior or
selfishend.
6. Ruling. This undoubtedly refers to the function exercisedby the officers of
the Church, and it implies that nothing but diligence can succeed. Zeal
(σπουδή) for the Church's purity and honour, and for the glory of the
Church's Head, should characterize allwho have authority in the Church.
7. Showing mercy. This applies to the attention the deacons and private
Christians show to the sick and the suffering. Well, it is to be exercised"with
hilarity" (ἱλαρότητι). What a difference it often makes when we set cheerfully
about our merciful ministrations, entering with alacrity into them, and not
doing them "againstthe grain"? Our "pity," as it has been very properly said,
"should be impulsive, and not an effort; an inclination, and not a volition" (so
Shedd, in loc.). Now, if Churchmanship were enteredinto in this noble and
sympathetic spirit, what a different tale would our different Churches have to
tell! It would be a tale of tender and gracious ministration, a tale of real
because spiritual success?Maythe merciful Mastergrant it! - R.M.E.

Biblical Illustrator
For as we have many members in one body.
Romans 12:4, 5
St. Paul's view of life
H. Wace, D.D.
How comprehensively he surveys the whole range of human actionand
conduct! He starts from the considerationofmen as constituting "many
members in one body," and he proceeds to direct them in their various offices.
He passes in review the private and public duties to which they might be
called— ministering, teaching, exhorting, giving, ruling, and obeying; he
depicts the spirit of the Christian in business and in rest, in joy and in sorrow,
in hope and in tribulation, towards friends and towards enemies, in peace and
in wrath; and he lays down the Christian principles of civil government and
obedience. It is a picture of life in its length and breadth, and even in all its
lights and shadows, transfiguredas the landscape by the sun, under the

renovating influence of those spiritual rays of love which illuminated and
warmed the apostle's soul.
(H. Wace, D.D.)
Many members: one body
H. Melvill, B.D.
1. The early Church, like the latter, seems to have been deformed by many
dissensions. Thosewho had the leastconspicuous endowments envied those
who had the more, in place of using such gifts as they had. In order to show
the unreasonableness andthe evil of this state of things, St. Paul often drew
his illustrations from the human body, the parts of which had different
offices;but no part of which could be dispensedwith without injury to all the
rest. So the Church was composedof many members, some of which were,
comparatively, without honour, but none were without use; eachhad
functions essentialto the generalwell-being.
2. Observe what close links there are betweenthe severalclassesin the
community, and how the breaking of any one would dislocate the whole social
system. "The king himself is served by the field." The throne is connected
with the soil;and the proud occupantof the one is dependent on the tiller of
the other. When you look on a community like our own, with its nobles,
merchants, teachers, men of science, artificers, youmay perhaps think little of
the peasantry. But were the peasantry to ceasefrom their labours, there
would be an immediate arreston the pursuits of the community, and, from the
throne downward, societywould be panic-stricken. There, can, therefore, be
no more pitiable spectacle than that of a haughty individual, who looks
superciliously on those who occupy stations inferior to his own. And it would
be a just method of rebuking his arrogance to require him to trace the
production and progress ofall that wealth or rank which ministers to his
pride, till he finds it originate in the bone and muscle of these objects of his
scorn.

3. "Thatthe poor shall never ceaseout of the land," is one of those wise and
benevolent arrangements of Providence which so eminently distinguish the
moral government of this world. One of the most fatal and common
tendencies of our nature is to selfishness — the forgetting others, and the
caring only for ourselves. And who canfail to see that the having amongstus
objects which continually appeal to our compassionis wonderfully adapted
for counteracting that tendency. It may be perfectly true that the indigent
cannot do without the benevolent; but it is equally true that the benevolent
cannot do without the indigent; and wheneveryou give earto a tale of
distress, and you contribute according to your ability to the relief of the
suppliant, you are receiving as well as conferring a benefit. The afflicted being
whom you succour, keeps, by his appeal, the charities of your nature from
growing stagnant, and thus may be said to requite the obligation.
4. Observe how applicable is the principle of our text to the severalclassesof
society. Of what avail would be the skill and courage ofthe generalwho had
no troops to obey his command? what the ingenuity of the mechanic if there
were no labourers to make use of his invention? what the wisdom of the
legislatorif there were no functionaries to carry his measures into force? In
these and a thousand instances, the hand and the foot would be but of little
use unless they were directed by the eye and the head; and the eye and the
head would themselves be of little use if they were not connectedwith the
hand and the foot. So true is it that we are "every one members, one of
another."
5. Turn to the Church, a community knit togetherby spiritual ties. And here
the interests of the various classesare so interwoven that it can only be
through wilful ignorance that any suppose themselves independent of the
others. It may be true that ministers may be likened, in the importance of
their office, to the more important parts of body, to the eye or the head; but in
prosecuting their honourable and difficult employment, they are dependent
on the very lowestof their people. Recurto what we said about the

humanising power of the appointed admixture of the poor with the rich. If the
actualpresence of suffering be the greatantagonistto selfishness, thenthe
poor of his flock must be the clergyman's best auxiliaries, seeing that they
help to keepthe restfrom that moral hardness which would make them
impervious to his most earnestremonstrances.You are to add to this that
there is a worth in the prayers of the very meanestof Christians impossible to
overrate. A rich man may feelattachment to his minister; and he has a
thousand ways in which he may give vent to his feelings. But the poor man has
little to offer but prayer, and therefore will he throw all the vehemence of his
gratefulness into unwearied petitions for blessings on his benefactor.
6. On this greatprinciple we uphold the dignity of the poor man, and the
beneficialinfluence which he exerts in the world. Poverty will never degrade a
man — nothing but vice cando that; poverty will never disable a man from
usefulness, seeing that it cannotchange his office in the body, and there is no
office but what is material to the generalhealth and strength. Why, then, are
not our honest and hardworking poor to lift up their heads in the midst of
society, in all the consciousnessofhaving an important part to perform, and
in all the satisfactionoffeeling that they perform it faithfully and effectually?
7. We are "everyone members, one of another"; and forasmuch as no man
ever hated his own flesh, let it be seenthat we are all animated with the spirit
of charity. It is with reference to this principle that we are to be tried at the
last. If we are all members of one body, Christ is the Head of that body; and,
consequently, He accounts as done to Himself what is done to the meanestof
His members.
(H. Melvill, B.D.)
The Church comparedto the body

J. Lyth, D.D.
I.In its UNITY.
II.In the PLURALITY of its members.
III.In the DIVERSITY of their functions.
IV.In their MUTUAL RELATION and dependence.
V.In the possessionofONE SPIRIT.
(J. Lyth, D.D.)
Christian unity and diversity
Homilist.
I. DIVERSITYUNDERLYING UNITY.
1. "We have many members in" the "one" natural "body"; and just so we,
being diverse Christian members of His redeemedflock, "are one" mystical
"body in Christ."
2. In the natural body every part is not so much a distinct unit in itself as a
fraction of one greatwhole; and so in the Church (John 17:20, 21), not the
individuality of the member, but the oneness ofthe whole community, is to
demonstrate the truth of Christ's mission.

3. This unity can only be realisedby having a governing Head. Only as we
abide in realheart and life fellowshipwith Christ do we form a body that is
"at unity in itself." If not bound togetherin the "unity of the Spirit," the body
must decayand dissolve into a mass of lifeless, separate members.
II. DIVERSITYCONSISTENT WITHUNITY.
1. That diversity is consistentwith unity is shownby the analogyof our frame.
2. Diversity of vocationand function is consistentin Christians (1 Corinthians
12.). The Divine will is that eachmember should have a specialfunction, but
that all should work togetherfor mutual help.
3. Diversity in unity is the foundation of all true beauty and usefulness (see
laws of nature, waves of the sea, winds, clouds, human nature, etc.).Learnin
conclusion—
1. We all belong to one another. None may say, "I have nothing to do with
thee," nor plead, "Am I my brother's keeper?" Therefore everyChristian
should try —(1) To help his neighbour, to heal differences, and to strengthen
the life and work of all Christ's people.(2)To refrain from speaking ordoing
anything that may hurt or vex any member of the body, since the Head is
thereby pained (Acts 9:4) and the whole body shocked(1 Corinthians 12:26).
2. We are all necessaryto eachother — the rich to the poor and the poor to
the rich; the sick to the hale as well as the hale to the sick. All can derive help
from others, and all can give somewhatto others. All depend on eachother in
the wondrous "compacting togetherby that which every joint supplieth."

(Homilist.)
Every one has his place
A row of richly-gilded pipes, stately and massive, reaching to the ceiling,
stares majesticallydown upon us as we gatherin our place of worship. They
seemto say all the melody and music of the instrument is gatheredwithin us,
and we are the musical genii of the place, and when the keys are sweptby a
skilled artist how rich and grand are the tones evolved! They seemto be fairly
alive, and our souls are stirred to the depths by the harmony. Desiring to
know their relations to the hidden modest reeds, that we could faintly discern
in the darkenedchamber behind, we askedour organistwhat relation did
they bear to their unseen companions, and what was their relative power
compared with the small pipes. His reply was:"All front pipes speak with
force and power, but they would be utterly valueless, so far as music was
concerned, unless backedup and supported by the delicate reeds that are
hidden within." How blessedthe lessontaught the modest Christian workers
in every Church! They look upon the few who occupy a prominent position as
leaders, and in their timidity hide themselves, not allowing their ownpower to
be felt, forgetful of the factthat all disciples are workers togetherwith the
Lord. In these days, when a few leading spirits are marvellously blessedby
God, we must remember that their poweris vastly increasedby the sympathy
and prayers of those whose names are only known to God. As the organis
incomplete if a single pipe is missing, and as it is thrown out of tune by a
single reed not acting in harmony, so the Church is hindered from receiving a
blessing, and its actionimpeded, if a single disciple is negligent of his or her
duty. So let us in our quiet field toil on, pray on, knowing that he who is
faithful unto death will receive the crown.
Individuality
J. Stoughton, D.D.

The practicalaim of eachman should be to perfect his own variety, not ape
another's. A Luther could not be a Melanchthon. By no process couldan
Owenbe made into a Milton. Individuality is indestructible. I am afraid that
teachers and learners are often at fault in overlooking whatis so very plain.
You sometimes have ideal characters describedandput before you for
imitation, which never were and never will be realised, because theycombine
incompatibilities. Qualities are takenfrom men constitutionally different from
eachother, and you are told to be all that is representedin some unnatural
amalgam. But God requires of you no such impossibility. Be yourself— that is
the Divine will. Mature and perfect by His grace the gifts He has bestowed.
Resistall easilybesetting sins, and cultivate all possible good. Notexcusing
yourself for only doing what pleases you;for omitting acts of self-denial; for
being one-sided, self-indulgent, and peculiar; strive to be as comprehensive in
excellence as you can, without attempting to obliterate the stamp of your own
individuality. Bunyan was a wise man, and therefore did not crush all
imaginable goodqualities into his Christian, but distributed them amongsta
number of individuals; painting the picture of different pilgrims, and
assigning to them varied offices of wisdom and love.
(J. Stoughton, D.D.)
Mutual relations in life
J. Lyth, D.D.
Consider—
I. THE RELATION WHICH WE BEAR TO ONE ANOTHER.
1. Our bond of union.
2. Our mutual dependence.

3. Our individual interest.
II. THE DUTIES ARISING OUT OF THIS RELATION. Mutual —
1. Love.
2. Sympathy.
3. Help.
III. THE MANNER IN WHICH THESE DUTIES SHOULD BE
PERFORMED. With —
1. Care and diligence.
2. Patience and perseverance.
3. Love and cheerfulness.
(J. Lyth, D.D.)
Spiritual order
Christmas Evans.

There arose a fierce contention in the human body; every member sought
another place than the one it found itself in, and was fitted for. After much
controversyit was agreedto refer the whole matter to one whose name was
SolomonWise-in-his-own-conceit. He was to arrange and adjust the whole
business, and to place every bone in its proper position. He receivedthe
appointment gladly, and was filled with joy and confidence. He commenced
with finding a place for himself. His proper post was the heel, but where do
you think he found it? He must needs be the golden bowl in which the brains
are deposited. The natural consequencesfollowed. The coarseheelbone was
not of the right quality nor of the suitable dimensions to contain the brains,
nor could the vesselintended for that purpose form a useful or comely part of
the foot. Disorderensued in foot, head, face, legs, and arms. By the time
SolomonWise-in-his-own-conceithad reconstructedthe body, it could neither
walk, nor speak, nor hear, nor smell, nor see. The body was, moreover, filled
with intolerable agony, and could find no rest, every bone crying for
restorationto its own place — that is to say, every one but the heel bone; that
was mightily pleasedto be in the head, and to have custody of the brains.
(Christmas Evans.)
Church fellowship: its privileges and duties
J. C. Harrison.
I. THE ONENESSOF THE CHURCH.
1. There is one source of activity and life in every human body, and so there is
in the Church. There are various spheres in which we live and act. Those who
possessnatural and intellectual life canenjoy the beauties of nature, the
endearments of friendship, the activities of business, the quiet of home, but all
the while they may have no sympathy with that which is heavenly; but those
who are possessedofspiritual life rise to a higher existence in which love
prompts to unwearied activity in the service ofGod; and the source of this life
is Christ. But our Lord came not only that we might have life, but that we
might have it more abundantly; and, aware of the influence of associationand

sympathy, He gathers togetherHis followers into a societyin which they may
help one another. But, just as with the individual, so with the Church. It is not
the most scriptural doctrine, or the most apostolic discipline, or the most
impassionedpreaching, or the most crowded assemblies thatcan ensure the
greatestprosperity, but the presence of Christ.
2. In this one body there must be harmony of character, orit would resemble
the image of Nebuchadnezzar. There will be differences of gifts because there
are differences of functions, but there must also be fitness for association, and
to form a secure union all the members must be renewedby the Holy Spirit,
be joined to Christ by a living faith, and exhibit the beauties of a consistent
character.
3. In this oneness ofthe Church there is identity of interest. If one member of
the body suffer, all the members suffer with it; and if one member is in health,
all the members rejoice with it. Suppose a kingdom begins generally to
decline, and there should be one professionwhich, for a time, continues
prosperous, this cannot last long. And so in the Church. If discord springs up
betweenthose who ought to be bound togetherin the purest love, if error
thrusts aside the doctrine of the Cross, if apathy spread over the people, if
prayers are frozen and heartless, there may be members who will retain their
spirituality for a time, but by and by they will yield to the generalinfluence.
But if peace binds Christians together — if the truth is maintained in its
integrity, etc. — then eachmember will enjoy the benefit of the prosperity of.
the whole, and will find how blessedit is for them all to have one interest. And
yet how frequently Church members seemto take but little interest in one
another! They will see the declensionof a brother and never warn him, the
suffering of a brother and never sympathise with him, the want of
employment of the gifts of a brother and never suggestto him that he should
employ his gifts. And where there is this want of reciprocalbenefit a Church
rapidly declines.

4. The Church ought to have one aim. The body is createdto show forth the
glory of God. You see His glory in the works of nature around, in His word of
truth, but chiefly in the grand work of redemption. But then, if a multitude of
mankind never study this work of redemption, they cannotsee its glory; and,
for the most part, people will say, "We judge of the value of that systemof
redemption by its fruits"; and therefore ought we both by life and lip to
recommend the gospel.
II. EACH INDIVIDUAL MEMBER HAS HIS APPROPRIATE DUTIES TO
PERFORM. It is by division of labour that so much canbe done. One seems
more fitted to advise, another to execute;one to warn and terrify, and another
to cheerand comfort; and so all are called upon to employ their powers for
some useful purpose.
1. All members must feelthat they have joined the Church not only to receive
good, but to do good.
2. Eachmember should strive to concentrate his efforts on the particular
Church to which he belongs. Whereverthere is diffusion there is a waste of
power. Concentrationis strength, and when God points out in His providence
the particular Church to which we are to belong, He thereby points out the
particular field in which we are to work.
3. The member who is doing nothing is worse than useless. Whena limb is
paralysedit only impedes the body. And let every person in Church fellowship
remember that he cannotbe simply neutral. If he is not doing goodhe is doing
harm. His coldness benumbs, his example discourages others.

4. Every real member is essentialto the completeness ofthe body. Every
member of the human frame, howeverapparently insignificant, is essential.
We are sometimes very poor judges of who is the best member. We are
thankful for men of rank, wealth, influence, and talents, but we thank God
also for the humblest spiritual Christian, whom, perhaps, God may see to be
doing a greaterwork than those who seemgreatin the eye of the world.
5. All the members bear a close spiritual relationship to eachother. Surely,
then, there ought to be greatsympathy and affectionbetweenthem, because,
when we have a common objectand character, we generallyfeelsympathy
and love.
6. If we are members one of another, there ought to be the absence ofpride
and of all assumption. God has ordained the different ranks in society, and He
does not wish those ranks to be obliterated. The believing servant is not to
show want of respectto the believing master, and the believing master is not
to oppress the believing servant. But as members of the same Church all
worldly distinctions disappear. We are all one in Christ.
7. As members one of another we ought always to aim at one another's
benefit. "Bearye one another's burdens," etc.
(J. C. Harrison.)
Communion of saints
C. H. Spurgeon.
What the circulation of the blood is to the human body, that the Holy Spirit is
to the body of Christ which is the Church. Now, by virtue of the one life-

blood, every limb of the body holds fellowship with every other, and as long as
life lasts that fellowship is inevitable. If the hand be unwashed the eye cannot
refuse communion with it on that account;if the finger be diseasedthe hand
cannot, by binding a cord around it, prevent the life-current from flowing.
Nothing but death can break up the fellowship; you must tearaway the
member, or it must of necessitycommune with the restof the body. It is even
thus in the body of Christ; no laws can prevent one living member of Christ
from fellowship with every other; the pulse of living fellowshipsends a wave
through the whole mystical frame; where there is but one life, fellowshipis an
inevitable consequence. Yetsome talk of restricted communion, and imagine
that they canpractise it. If they be alive unto Godthey may in mistaken
conscientiousnessdeny their fellow Christians the outward signof
communion, but communion itself falls not under any rule or regulation of
theirs. Tie a red tape round your thumb, and let it decree that the whole body
is out of fellowship with it; the thumb's decree is either ridiculously
inoperative, or else it proves injurious to itself. Godhas made us one, one
Spirit quickens us, and truly our fellowship is with the Father and with His
Son Jesus;to deny fellowshipwith any believer in Jesus is to refuse what you
must of necessitygive, and to deny in symbol what you must inevitably render
in reality.
(C. H. Spurgeon.)
COMMENTARIES
Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers
(5) In Christ.—Christis the unifying principle in the Church, just as the
personality or will is the unifying principle in man.
Every one.—A somewhatpeculiarphrase in the Greek, not found in this form
in classicalwriters, meaning “as individuals.”

Members one of another.—Strictly speaking, the members are called
members in their relationto the body, and not in their relation to eachother.
We should say, rather, “fellow-members with one another.”
Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary
12:3-8 Pride is a sin in us by nature; we need to be cautioned and armed
againstit. All the saints make up one body in Christ, who is the Head of the
body, and the common Centre of their unity. In the spiritual body, some are
fitted for and called to one sort of work;others for another sort of work. We
are to do all the goodwe can, one to another, and for the common benefit. If
we duly thought about the powers we have, and how far we fail properly to
improve them, it would humble us. But as we must not be proud of our
talents, so we must take heed lest, under a pretence of humility and self-
denial, we are slothful in laying out ourselves for the goodof others. We must
not say, I am nothing, therefore I will sit still, and do nothing; but, I am
nothing in myself, and therefore I will lay out myself to the utmost, in the
strength of the grace ofChrist. Whatever our gifts or situations may be, let us
try to employ ourselves humbly, diligently, cheerfully, and in simplicity; not
seeking ourown credit or profit, but the goodof many, for this world and that
which is to come.
Barnes'Notes on the Bible
So we, being many - We who are Christians, and who are numerous as
individuals.
Are one body - Are united together, constituting one society, or one people,
mutually dependent, and having the same greatinterests at heart, though to
be promoted by us according to our specialtalents and opportunities. As the
welfare of the same body is to be promoted in one manner by the feet, in

another by the eye, etc.;so the welfare of the body of Christ is to be promoted
by discharging our duties in our appropriate sphere, as God has appointed us.
In Christ - One body, joined to Christ, or connectedwith him as the head;
Ephesians 1:22-23, "And gave him to be head over all things to the church,
which is his body;" compare John 15:1-7. This does not mean that there is any
physical or literal union, or any destruction of personalidentity, or any thing
particularly mysterious or unintelligible. Christians acknowledge him as their
head. that is, their Lawgiver; their Counsellor, Guide, and Redeemer. They
are bound to him by especiallytender ties of affection, gratitude, and
friendship; they are united in him, that is, in acknowledging him as their
common Lord and Saviour. Any other unions than this is impossible; and the
sacredwriters never intended that expressions like these should be explained
literally. The union of Christians to Christ is the most tender and interesting
of any in this world, but no more mysterious than what binds friend to friend,
children to parents, or husbands to their wives;compare Ephesians 5:23-33.
(See the supplementary note at Romans 8:17.)
And every one members one of another - Compare 1 Corinthians 12:25-26.
That is, we are so united as to be mutually dependent; eachone is of service to
the other; and the existence and function of the one is necessaryto the
usefulness of the other. Thus, the members of the body may be said to be
members one of another; as the feet could not, for example, perform their
functions or be of use if it were not for the eye; the ear, the hand, the teeth,
etc., would be useless ifit were not for the other members, which go to make
up the entire person. Thus, in the church, every individual is not only
necessaryin his place as an individual, but is needful to the proper symmetry
and actionof the whole. And we may learn here:

(1) That no member of the church of Christ should esteemhimself to be of no
importance. In his own place he may be of as much consequenceas the man of
learning, wealth, and talent may be in his.
(2) God designed that there should be differences of endowments of nature
and of grace in the church; just as it was needful that there should be
differences in the members of the human body.
(3) no one should despise or lightly esteemanother. All are necessary. We can
no more spare the foot or the hand than we canthe eye; though the latter may
be much more curious and striking as a proof of divine skill. We do not
despise the hand or the foot any more than we do the eye; and in all we should
acknowledge the goodness andwisdom of God. See these thoughts carriedout
in 1 Corinthians 12:21-25.
Jamieson-Fausset-BrownBible Commentary
4, 5. For as we have many members, &c.—The same diversity and yet unity
obtains in the body of Christ, whereofall believers are the severalmembers,
as in the natural body.
Matthew Poole's Commentary
Ver. 5. See Poole on"Ro 12:4"
Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible
So we being many are one body in Christ,.... This is the applicationof the
above simile. The chosenof God, the redeemed of Christ, and those that are
justified by his righteousness, andsanctifiedby his Spirit; though they are but
few in comparisonof the men of the world, but consideredin themselves are
many, and yet make up but one body, the church, of which Christ is the head:

and though this generalassembly; or church universal, may be distinguished
into severalcongregationalchurches, anddistinct communities, yet each
community, consisting ofdivers persons, is but one body "in Christ", united
and knit togetherby joints and bands, under him their head, Lord, and King;
in him, and not in Caesar, orany earthly monarch, to distinguish this body
from bodies politic, or any civil community among men:
and everyone members one of another; as in union with Christ their head, so
to one another in love, walking in holy fellowshiptogether, sympathizing with,
and serving eachother.
Geneva Study Bible
So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of
another.
EXEGETICAL(ORIGINAL LANGUAGES)
Cambridge Bible for Schools andColleges
5. in Christ] i.e. by virtue of our union with Him. See on Romans 8:1. Cp. also
for the profound meaning of the phrase, 2 Corinthians 5:17.
and every one] Perhaps better, in view of MSS. &c., but with respectto
individuality; “as concerns ourseveralpositions.”
Bengel's Gnomen
Romans 12:5. Ὁ δὲ καθεὶς)see Mark 14:19, note.—μέλη, members, Ephesians
4:25.
Romans 12:5
Vincent's Word Studies

Being many (οἱ πολλοὶ)
Lit., the many. Rev., better, who are many.
Every one (τὸ δὲ καθ' εἶς)
The literal phrase canonly be rendered awkwardly:and as to what is true
according to one; i.e., individually, severally. Compare, for a similar phrase,
Mark 14:19; John 8:9.
STUDYLIGHTRESOURCES
Adam Clarke Commentary
So we, being many - We who are members of the Church of Christ, which is
consideredthe body of which he is the head, have various offices assignedto
us, according to the measure of grace, faith and religious knowledge which we
possess;and although each has a different office, and qualifications suitable to
that office, yet all belong to the same body; and eachhas as much need of the
help of another as that other has of his; therefore, let there be neither pride on
the one hand, nor envy on the other. The same metaphor, in nearly the same
words, is used in Synopsis Sohar, page 13. "As man is divided into various
members and joints, united among themselves, and raised by gradations
above eachother, and collectivelycompose one body; so all createdthings are
members orderly disposed, and altogetherconstitute one body. In like manner
the law, distributed into various articulations, constitutes but one body." See
Schoettgen.

Copyright Statement
These files are public domain.
BibliographicalInformation
Clarke, Adam. "Commentary on Romans 12:5". "The Adam Clarke
Commentary". https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/acc/romans-
12.html. 1832.
return to 'Jump List'
Albert Barnes'Notes onthe Whole Bible
individuals.
Ephesians 1:22-23, “And gave him to be head over all things to the church,
which is his body;” compare John 15:1-7. This does not mean that there is any

Copyright Statement
Barnes, Albert. "Commentaryon Romans 12:5". "Barnes'Notes onthe
Whole Bible". https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/bnb/romans-12.html.
1870.
Haldane's Expositionon the Epistle to the Romans and Hebrews
So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one remembers one of
another.
So we, being many, are one body. — This is not to be restricted to one church,
as to the church at Rome, to which it was written, but refers to the Church of
Christ, which embraces His people of all ages, andof all countries. The
feeblestdisciple, even he who of the whole number is leastinstructed in his
Master’s will, has still his place in the body, and his use in that place.
Whateverchurch, then, refuses to receive any Christian for want of
knowledge ofany part of the will of Christ, acts againstthe spirit of this
passage. It is wrong either to refuse admission to Christ’s known people, or to
admit His known enemies. In Christ. — Not, as Dr.
Macknightunderstands it, ‘under Christ.’ It is not by our being under Christ
that our union is effectedwith one another, but by being in Christ. Members
one of another. — By being united in Christ, believers become members of
one another, that is, they are united to eachother, as all the members of the
body are united. The most remote members are united by their union with the
body. The hands and the feet have fellowship through the intervening
members. Hence Christians ought to love one another as parts of themselves.

As the Apostle says, no man ever hated his own body; and he that loveth his
wife loveth himself. Fora like reason, a Christian, when loving his fellow-
Christians, is loving himself. It is thus that Christians, in the Church of
Christ, takenindividually, are many, and are togetherone body in Christ,
having the Spirit of Christ, and all of them are members one of another. This
considerationought to operate powerfully to unite them. There is a sectarian
partiality, ‘distinct from this, too often found among the professors of
Christianity. But as the union of Christians, here representedby that of the
members of the human body, respects none but real Christians, and as it
respects allsuch, whether they be eternally united in Christian fellowshipwith
us or not, we ought to cultivate love to them as to the disciples of Christ, of
whatevername, and cherish this love to them, on the ground of their union
with Christ. We ought to unite with the Apostle in praying ‘Grace be with all
them that love our Lord Jesus Christin sincerity.’
Copyright Statement
Text Courtesyof BibleSupport.com. Used by Permission.
Haldane, Robert. "Commentary on Romans 12:5". "Haldane's Exposition on
the Epistle to the Romans and Hebrews".
https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/hal/romans-12.html. 1835.
John Gill's Exposition of the Whole Bible
So we being many are one body in Christ,.... This is the applicationof the
above simile. The chosenof God, the redeemed of Christ, and those that are
justified by his righteousness, andsanctifiedby his Spirit; though they are but
few in comparisonof the men of the world, but consideredin themselves are
many, and yet make up but one body, the church, of which Christ is the head:
and though this generalassembly; or church universal, may be distinguished

into severalcongregationalchurches, anddistinct communities, yet each
community, consisting ofdivers persons, is but one body "in Christ", united
and knit togetherby joints and bands, under him their head, Lord, and King;
in him, and not in Caesar, orany earthly monarch, to distinguish this body
from bodies politic, or any civil community among men:
and everyone members one of another; as in union with Christ their head, so
to one another in love, walking in holy fellowshiptogether, sympathizing with,
and serving eachother.
Copyright Statement
The New John Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible Modernisedand adapted
for the computer by Larry Pierce of Online Bible. All Rights Reserved, Larry
Pierce, Winterbourne, Ontario.
A printed copy of this work can be ordered from: The Baptist Standard
Bearer, 1 Iron Oaks Dr, Paris, AR, 72855
Gill, John. "Commentary on Romans 12:5". "The New John Gill Exposition
of the Entire Bible". https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/geb/romans-
12.html. 1999.
Robertson's WordPictures in the New Testament
And severally(το δε κατ εις — to de kath' heis). A difficult late idiom where
the preposition κατ — kath' (κατα — kata)is treated adverbially with no
effecton the nominative case εις — heis like υπερ εγω — huper egō (2
Corinthians 11:23). So εις κατ εις — heis kath' heis (Mark 14:19)and in
Modern Greek κατεις — katheis as a distributive pronoun. But we have κατ
ενα — kath' hena in 1 Corinthians 14:31. The use of the neuter article here το

— to with κατ εις — kath' heis is probably the accusative ofgeneralreference,
“as to eachone.”
Copyright Statement
The Robertson's WordPictures of the New Testament. Copyright �
Broadman Press 1932,33,Renewal1960. All rights reserved. Used by
permission of Broadman Press (Southern BaptistSunday SchoolBoard)
Robertson, A.T. "Commentary on Romans 12:5". "Robertson's Word
Pictures of the New Testament".
https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/rwp/romans-12.html. Broadman
Press 1932,33. Renewal1960.
Vincent's Word Studies
Being many ( οἱ πολλοὶ )
Lit., the many. Rev., better, who are many.
Every one ( τὸ δὲ καθ ' εἶς )
The literal phrase canonly be rendered awkwardly:and as to what is true
according to one; i.e., individually, severally. Compare, for a similar phrase,
Mark 14:19; John 8:9.
Copyright Statement

The text of this work is public domain.
Vincent, Marvin R. DD. "Commentaryon Romans 12:5". "Vincent's Word
Studies in the New Testament".
https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/vnt/romans-12.html. Charles
Schribner's Sons. New York, USA. 1887.
Wesley's ExplanatoryNotes
another.
So we — All believers.
Are one body — Closelyconnectedtogetherin Christ, and consequently ought
to be helpful to eachother.
Copyright Statement
These files are public domain and are a derivative of an electronic edition that
is available on the Christian ClassicsEtherealLibrary Website.
Wesley, John. "Commentary on Romans 12:5". "John Wesley's Explanatory
Notes on the Whole Bible".
https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/wen/romans-12.html. 1765.
Abbott's Illustrated New Testament

One of another; one with another.
Copyright Statement
Abbott, John S. C. & Abbott, Jacob. "Commentaryon Romans 12:5".
"Abbott's Illustrated New Testament".
https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/ain/romans-12.html. 1878.
James Nisbet's Church Pulpit Commentary
‘MEMBERS ONE OF ANOTHER’
‘So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of
another.’
Romans 12:5
There are some moral and spiritual truths which it seems to be almost
impossible to impress upon the practicallife of the world, although they meet
with a sort of universal acceptance.
I. The purpose of Christ’s revelationis to crucify the selfishinstinct in us, and
to rouse us to the life of self-devotion, to the idea of consecratedenergies;and
this being so, all Christian life is of the nature of a warfare;and a warfare
which begins afreshwith eachgenerationof men; because selfishness, with all
its tribe of attendant appetites and passions, springs afreshin every single

soul, and is nurtured, strengthened, cultivated, by so many of the conditions of
life. If, then, the Spirit of Christ is really to prevail in our life, it must be by
effecting our emancipationfrom selfish instincts, and rousing in us the spirit
of devotion to the goodof other lives.
II. In proportion as you diminish selfishness in your own life or in any other,
by fostering generous affections andcultivating the spirit of socialduty and
religious aspirations, by walking in the footsteps ofChrist and living in the
light of His presence, youare laying the only possible foundation of any
lasting progress, youare following the one true method by which the mystery
of sin is to be overcome.
III. We may wonder that this should be so difficult; for of selfishness we
should saythat we all dislike it. In its grosserforms we repudiate it. The very
word is one which we articulate with a certain accentof contempt. But when
we come to its refined and subtle workings in our nature, when we think of its
Proteus-like changeableness,its power of assuming the various guises evenof
duty or religion; when we reflect how it can clothe itself in the choicestgarbof
art, or science, orDivine philosophy, we find very likely that we are always in
danger of being enslavedby it.
And we do well to pray in all sincerity that grace may expel our selfishness;
for indeed the influence of true religion is to be gaugedby the extent to which
this prayer is being fulfilled in us. The fulfilment of it is what we mean by the
regenerate life.
—BishopPercival.
(SECOND OUTLINE)

UNIVERSAL BROTHERHOOD
We who realise our brotherhood remember what it is to be children of the one
true FatherWhose name is Love, members of that one body with the life of
Christ pulsing in our souls and drawing us into a constantunion.
I. Brotherhoodof nations.—Look atsome of its widestand clearestissues.
Look at the pictures of all families, families of men north, south, east, and
west. We preach the Christ and we profess the Christ, and then we fight, and
the most hideous witness againstour Christ is war. God made of one blood all
the nations of men on the face of the earth. The hideousness ofwar comes
home to us, and we ought not to forgetnations at war. We should pray for
them and do more. We should so live, so strive, that the world may learn to be
Christian, to hate war.
II. Brotherhoodin the Church.—Can I narrow it down? There is the family of
the Church with fuller responsibility and with fuller knowledge. And that
family, the sacredimmaculate Body of Christ, is rent and torn asunder by our
unhappy divisions. Nay, it is much worse than that, it is by our deliberate sin,
by our slothfulness, our carelessness, our refusal to spend any time or trouble
upon religion. Those divisions in Christendom are criminal. Do we realise
what this disunion means? It means utter confusion, it means many a soulsent
to the despair and abyss of perplexity, and it means that many a soulis not
won for Christ because the world does not know what He teaches. We must
pray for the reunion of Christendom. There is much we might do with sure
conviction, and do it in all charity. Do not condemn; do not reject; maybe you
are condemning and rejecting Christ. Then by the sweetnessandthe purity of
your own faith speak the truth in love.

III. Brotherhood in the parish.—In our ownparish there is the awful need for
brotherhood and love, and for sympathy, and all of you may spend your
energy in Christ’s service. We have lostour inspiration, we have lost our
enthusiasm because we do not believe in the Christ. If you did you could not
sit still; if you did you would offer yourself for His work;you would go out
from your homes and churches, and you would bring some one single child,
man, or woman to the Christ. Realise yourbrotherhood. Start it in your own
homes. If you are parents, do not put anything in the way of your children
when they want to go to Christ; and if you are children bear your witness
faithfully, and let father and mother see that you are Christ’s. In your work,
too, you might give some witness to the Christ. Take one single friend each
week and lead him nearerto Jesus. You might let him know that you care for
God, and you might make your professionof God a living reality. If this were
done the papers and the statisticians wouldnot then have to talk about our
empty churches, because every one would come and do his homage to Christ.
Rev. E. Rogers.
Copyright Statement
Nisbet, James. "Commentaryon Romans 12:5". Church Pulpit Commentary.
https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/cpc/romans-12.html. 1876.
John Trapp Complete Commentary
5 So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of
another.

Ver. 5. One body in Christ] {See Trapp on "1 Corinthians 12:12"}{See Trapp
on "1 Corinthians 12:13"}
And every one members] Try thy membership, if, 1. Sociable with Christ and
Christians. 2. Useful and serviceable to the body. 3. Compassionate,as Paul;
"Who is afflicted," saith he, "and I burn not?" I feel twinges when others are
hurt; and I hold myself a debtor (as a member) to Greeks andbarbarians, to
the wise and unwise, be they but of the body, Romans 1:14.
Copyright Statement
Trapp, John. "Commentary on Romans 12:5". John Trapp Complete
Commentary. https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/jtc/romans-12.html.
1865-1868.
Greek TestamentCriticalExegeticalCommentary
5. τὸ δὲ καθʼεἷς] But [severally, i.e.] as regards individuals. A solœcismfor τὸ
δὲ εἷς καθʼἕνα, as ἓν καθʼ ἕν in ref. Rev. Wetst., on ref. Mark, gives many
examples of it.

Members of one another = fellow-members with one another,—members of
the body of which we one with another are members.
Copyright Statement
Alford, Henry. "Commentary on Romans 12:5". Greek TestamentCritical
ExegeticalCommentary.
https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/hac/romans-12.html. 1863-1878.
Johann Albrecht Bengel's Gnomonof the New Testament
Romans 12:5. ὁ δὲ καθεὶς)see Mark 14:19, note.— μέλη, members, Ephesians
4:25.
Copyright Statement
Bengel, JohannAlbrecht. "Commentary on Romans 12:5". Johann Albrecht
Bengel's Gnomonof the New Testament.
https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/jab/romans-12.html. 1897.
Matthew Poole's EnglishAnnotations on the Holy Bible
Ver. 5. See Poole on"Ro 12:4"

Copyright Statement
Poole, Matthew, "Commentaryon Romans 12:5". Matthew Poole's English
Annotations on the Holy Bible.
https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/mpc/romans-12.html. 1685.
Alexander MacLaren's Expositions ofHoly Scripture
во Христе См. поясненияк 8:1; Еф. 1:3-14.
Copyright Statement
MacLaren, Alexander. "Commentary on Romans 12:5". Alexander
MacLaren's Expositions ofHoly Scripture.
https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/mac/romans-12.html.
Justin Edwards' Family Bible New Testament
We; Christians.

One body in Christ; he is the head, and we are the members of his one body.
The perfectionof eachmember and of the whole body of Christ, depends, not
upon all being alike, or doing the same things, but upon all being in their
proper places, and doing eachhis appropriate work.
Copyright Statement
Edwards, Justin. "Commentary on Romans 12:5". "Family Bible New
Testament". https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/fam/romans-12.html.
American Tract Society. 1851.
William Godbey's Commentary on the New Testament
5. “So also we being many are one body in Christ and members one of
another,
Copyright Statement
Godbey, William. "Commentary on Romans 12:5". "William Godbey's
Commentary on the New Testament".
https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/ges/romans-12.html.

Schaff's Popular Commentary on the New Testament
Romans 12:5. So we, the many, not, ‘being many,’ but ‘the many,’ like the
many members of the body, are one body in Christ (see marginal references).
And severally, etc. The phrase is very unusual; it is literally: ‘and what (is
true) as to individuals, (they are) members of one another.’ Christ is the Head,
and fellowshipwith Him makes us one body, and in consequencethe
individual relation is that of fellow-member with every other.
Copyright Statement
Schaff, Philip. "Commentary on Romans 12:5". "Schaff's Popular
Commentary on the New Testament".
https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/scn/romans-12.html. 1879-90.
Mark Dunagan Commentary on the Bible
Romans 12:5 so we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and severally
members one of another.
"Severally"-"Individually" (NASV)
Points to Note:

1. "A further safeguardagainstpride is found in the factthat in the...church
there is a wide variety of gifts; no one should expectto possessallthe talents
and to do all the work necessaryforthe life of the church." (Erdman p. 146)
2. The work of the church never falls on the shoulders of one man.
3. The failure of a congregationto grow never falls on the shoulders of one
person.
4. At times we violate this passagewhenwe try to force people into
"functions", that they do not have the abilities for. Every young man isn"t cut
out to be a preacheror song leader. Every woman isn"t cut out to be a
teacher. We are doing more harm to the body of Christ than good, when try to
force someone into a "function", that is not their area of expertise. The same
truth is taught in 1 Corinthians 12:28-30.
5. The members of the body of Christ, are individuals, not denominations. (1
Corinthians 12:27)
"members one of another"-"andeachacts as a counter-part of another"
(Knox). Every member of the body is a needed member (1 Corinthians 12:14-
27). It is a false humility to say, "The church down there doesn"tneed me".
Hence my talent, ability or in N.T. times my spiritual gift, is only useful, if I
use it for the benefit of the whole body. God given abilities that are used for
selfishinterests are talents that end up wasted. Here we see the sin and
ugliness of the personwho refuses to offer their talent for the benefit of the

body of Christ. To be receiving the benefits of the talents of others, and yet
refuse to share mine, is selfish. It appears that what was true of spiritual gifts,
must also hold true with natural abilities. The purpose of our talents isn"t to
build ourselves up, but rather to build up the body of Christ (1 Corinthians
14:4-5; 1 Corinthians 14:12).
Copyright Statement
Dunagan, Mark. "Commentary on Romans 12:5". "Mark Dunagan
Commentaries on the Bible".
https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/dun/romans-12.html. 1999-2014.
E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes
Christ. App-98.
every one = severally. Greek. kath" (App-104. x) heis.
Copyright Statement

Bullinger, Ethelbert William. "Commentary on Romans 12:5". "E.W.
Bullinger's Companion bible Notes".
https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/bul/romans-12.html. 1909-1922.
Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Unabridged
another.
So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one - [ ho (Greek #3588)
de (Greek #1161)kath'(Greek #2596)eis (Greek #1519), a solecismof later
Greek for kath' (Greek #2596)hena (Greek #1520). Lachmannand Tregelles
have to (Greek #3588)de (Greek #1161)etc.;so Tischendorfbefore; but the
evidence is undoubtedly for the ReceivedText;and Tischendorfin his last
edition returns to it, considering to (Greek #3588)de (Greek #1161)more like
a correctionthan the other.]
Members one of another. The same diversity in unity obtains in the body of
Christ, whereofall believers are the severalmembers, as in the natural body.
Copyright Statement
Jamieson, Robert, D.D.;Fausset,A. R.; Brown, David. "Commentary on
Romans 12:5". "Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible -
Unabridged". https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/jfu/romans-12.html.
1871-8.

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers
(5) In Christ.—Christis the unifying principle in the Church, just as the
personality or will is the unifying principle in man.
Every one.—A somewhatpeculiarphrase in the Greek, not found in this form
in classicalwriters, meaning “as individuals.”
Members one of another.—Strictly speaking, the members are called
members in their relationto the body, and not in their relation to eachother.
We should say, rather, “fellow-members with one another.”
Copyright Statement
Ellicott, Charles John. "Commentary on Romans 12:5". "Ellicott's
Commentary for English Readers".
https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/ebc/romans-12.html. 1905.
Treasuryof Scripture Knowledge
another.
4; 1 Corinthians 10:17; 12:12-14,20,27,28;Ephesians 1:23; 4:25; 5:23,30;
Colossians 1:24;Colossians 2:19

Reciprocal:John 15:5 - vine; John 17:21 - they all; Acts 4:32 - the multitude;
1 Corinthians 1:30 - in; 1 Corinthians 6:15 - your; Galatians 2:9 - the grace;
Galatians 3:16 - which; Ephesians 1:3 - in Christ; Ephesians 3:6 - the same;
Ephesians 4:4 - one body; Philippians 1:27 - in one
Copyright Statement
Torrey, R. A. "Commentary on Romans 12:5". "The Treasury of Scripture
Knowledge". https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/tsk/romans-12.html.
The Bible Study New Testament
5. In the same way. Christians form one body or messianic community under
the rule of Christ who is the head. We are all joined to eachother. Justas the
parts of our natural body are joined together. EachChristian is “Spirit-filled”
(Acts 5:32), and the Spirit welds us togetherinto one body (1 Corinthians
12:12-13), but individual Christians are not the whole body by themselves (1
Corinthians 12:17).
Whedon's Commentary on the Bible
5.One body in the faith and atoning mercy of Christ.
One of another— Eachbelongednot only to the whole, but eachto the other;
since the goodorder or disorder of one limb affects every other limb. We have
here a sight of the organic arrangements of the Roman Church as it existed
before a later providential expediency had crystallized it into permanent
form, and before the apostle had ever overseenit. The officialand charismatic

are so blended that while there are unity, and form, and regular cooperation,
yet the polity is spontaneous and spiritual, rather than governmental.
PRECEPTAUSTIN RESOURCES
BRUCE HURT MD
Romans 12:5 so we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually *
membersone of another. (NASB: Lockman)
Greek: houtos oi polloi en soma esmen(1PPAI) en Christo, to de kath eis
allelon mele.
Amplified: So we, numerous as we are, are one body in Christ (the Messiah)
and individually we are parts one of another [mutually dependent on one
another].(Amplified Bible - Lockman)
NLT: so it is with Christ's body. We are all parts of his one body, and eachof
us has different work to do. And since we are all one body in Christ, we
belong to eachother, and eachof us needs all the others. (NLT - Tyndale
House)
Phillips: so we, though many in number, compose one body in Christ and are
all members of one another. (Phillips: Touchstone)

Wuest: thus we, the many, are one body in Christ, and members severally
one of another. (Eerdmans)
Young's Literal: for as in one body we have many members, and all the
members have not the same office,
SO WE WHO ARE MANY ARE ONE BODY IN CHRIST:houtos oi polloi
en soma esmen(1PPAI) en Christo:
Ro 12:4; 1 Cor10:17; 12:12, 13,14,20,27,28;Eph 1:23; Ep 4:25; Ep 5:23, Ep
5:30; Col 1:24; Col 2:19
ONE BODY
IN CHRIST
This truth of One body in Christ is emphasized in severalofPaul's letters
Romans 12:4 For just as we have many members in one body (UNITY) and all
the members do not have the same function (DIVERSITY),
1 Corinthians 12:13 For by one Spirit we were all baptized (nothing to do with
waterhere -- it means we were all supernaturally placed)into one body,
whether Jews orGreeks, whetherslaves orfree, and we were all made to
drink of one Spirit.
1 Corinthians 12:20 But now there are many members, but one body.

Ephesians 2:16-note and might reconcile them (Jews and Gentiles)both in
one body to God through the Cross (allequal at the foot of the almighty
Cross), by it having put to death the enmity.
Ephesians 4:4-note [There is] one body and one Spirit, just as also you were
calledin one hope of your calling;
Colossians 3:15-note Letthe peace ("no walls")of Christ rule in your hearts,
to which indeed you were calledin one body; and be thankful.
The Body of Christ reflects diversity working in unity and in harmony (when
we are all walking in the Spirit, listening to the "Head", cp Eph 4:3-note
continually making haste, "being diligent [IT IS NOT AUTOMATIC!
ENABLED BY THE SPIRIT AND THE WORD WE ALL NEED TO WORK
AT PRESERVING THIS UNITY!] to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the
bond of peace.). When the parts are functioning in harmony the Body is able
to be and to do what Christ the Head directs it to be and to do. All members
filled with the Spirit and walking by the Spirit is the formula for unity of the
Spirit and optimal "efficiency" in a localBody of Christ. Have you ever been
part of a localbody that approachedthis ideal? I was once and it was
wonderful and glorious! But diabolos came sneaking in and causeddivision
and eventually the church did split apart. So sad. This must sorelygrieve the
heart of God!
W E Vine comments on the metaphor of the BODY noting that "As with the
natural illustration (of the physical body in Ro 12:4), so with the spiritual
analogy. There is not only vital unity and harmony in operation, but diversity,
all being essentialto effectivity (Ed: successin producing God's desired or
intended result). The unity is not due to external organizationbut to common
and vital union in Christ."
MacDonaldhas a succinctsummary of the principles in (Ro 12:3-5): There is
unity (one body), diversity (many), and interdependency (members of one
another). Any gifts we have are not for selfishuse or display but for the good

of the body. No gift is self-sufficientand none is unnecessary. When we realize
all this, we are thinking soberly (Ro 12:3). ( Believer's Bible Commentary)
In Christ - see discussionofin Christ and in Christ Jesus. Christ is the
"Head" as Paul explained in Colossians
and not holding fast to the HEAD (Christ), from Whom the entire body, being
supplied and held togetherby the joints and ligaments, grows with a growth
which is from God. (Col 2:19-note)
Hodge - Believers, though many, are one body in Christ, and every one
members one of another.' We, the many, are one body. In one respectwe are
many, in another we are one. Just as the body is many as to its members, and
one in their organic connection. Believers are one body, i.e. a living organic
whole, not in virtue of any external organization, but in Christ, i.e. in virtue of
their common union with him. And as this union with Christ is not merely
external, or by profession, or by unity of opinion and sentiment only, but vital,
arising from the indwelling of the Holy Ghost, the Spirit of Christ, so, the
apostle adds, the union of believers one with another, is also a vital union.
They are every one members one of another. The relation of believers to each
other is far more intimate than that betweenthe members of any external
organization, whether civil or ecclesiastical.It is analogous to the mutual
relation of the members of the same body, animated by one soul.
(Commentary on Romans)
AND INDIVIDUALLY MEMBERSONE OF ANOTHER:to de kath eis
allelon mele:

No matter how humble my gift may be (1 Co 12:22, 23, 24), every other
member of the body depends on it (even as the eye that sees dangerneeds the
feet to flee from the danger) and no matter how honorable my gift may be, I
am dependent upon and blessedby even the humblest contribution of every
other member.
"individually we are parts one of another [mutually dependent on one
another]." (Amplified Version)
Members one of another is beautifully explained in (1Co 12:26)where Paul
instructs us that when one member is honored, the others rejoice and when
one member suffers, the others suffer. It's like the story the pastortold
"A number of years ago I fell and injured my wrist rather severely. It swelled
up and got very painful. And the restof my body felt so bad about it that it sat
up all night to keepit company. That is what the body of Christ is to do when
one member is hurt."
Eachof us belongs to the mystical Body of Christ and needs the other
members of that Body. The Christian faith is therefore in its essence a
corporate experience (see the 9 "one another's" in Romans below). Although
eachmember has come to faith by a separate and individual actof faith, the
believing community lives out its Christian experience in fellowship with one
another.
John Donne’s “No man is an island” (Read poem below)is true of the church
of Jesus Christ. “Lone RangerChristianity” is a contradictionin terms. If
your life seems stuck eventhough you read your Bible and pray, it may be
that you are neglecting getting togetherwith other believers and are depriving

yourself of the exchange necessaryfor spiritual growth (cf. the significance of
“able to comprehend with all the saints” in Eph 3:18- note).
No man is an island,
Entire of itself,
Every man is a piece of the continent,
A part of the main.
If a clod be washedawayby the sea,
Europe is the less.
As well as if a promontory were.
As well as if a manor of thy friend's
Or of thine own were:
Any man's death diminishes me,
BecauseI am involved in mankind,
And therefore never send to know for whom the bell tolls;
It tolls for thee.
All three of the important “body passages”in the New Testamentdealwith
both unity and diversity:
UNITY DIVERSITY
Ro 12:1, 2, 3, 4, 5
1 Cor 12:1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13

Eph 4:1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6
Ro 12:5, 6, 7, 8
1 Cor 12:14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31
Eph 4:7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13
Unity and diversity must work togetheror one will destroy the other. Unity
without diversity is uniformity, but diversity without unity is anarchy. The
church needs both unity and diversity if it is to function in this world. God has
given diverse gifts to His people and these gifts must be used for the building
up of the body of Christ. The only thing that can balance unity and diversity is
maturity, “growing up” to become more like Jesus Christ.
F. F. Bruce - "Diversity, not uniformity, is the mark of God’s handiwork. It is
so in nature; it is so in grace, too, and nowhere more so than in the Christian
community. Here are many men and women with the most diverse kinds of
parentage, environment, temperament, and capacity. Not only so, but since
they became Christians they have been endowed by God with a greatvariety
of spiritual gifts as well. Yet because andby means of that diversity, all can
co-operate forthe goodof the whole."
If you are feeling estrangedfrom the "Body" for any reason, take some time
and meditate on God's goodand acceptable andperfect will for eachmember
of the Body toward "One another"Hold your pointer over eachScripture and
make a list of what Scripture teaches concerning one another.
THE ONE ANOTHERS
IN THE NEW TESTAMENT
The Positive

><>
><> Ro 12:10,16,13:8,14:13,19,15:5, 7, 14,16:16
><> 1 Co 12:25, 16:20, 2 Co 13:12, Gal 5:13, Ep 4:2, 25, 32, 5:19, 21
><> Phil 2:3, Col3:13, 16
><> 1Th3:12, 4:9,18, 5:11,13,15,2Th1:3, Heb 3:13,10:24, 25
><> James 5:16, 1Pe 1:22, 4:8, 9, 10, 5:5, 14,
><> 1Jn1:7,3:11,23,4:7,11, 12, 2Jn1:5
The Negative
<><
<>< 1 Co 6:7, 7:5, 11:33, Ga 5:15, 26, Col 3:9, James 4:11, 5:9
ALBERT BARNES
Verse 5
individuals.

Ephesians 1:22-23, “And gave him to be head over all things to the church,
which is his body;” compare John 15:1-7. This does not mean that there is any

WILLIAM BARCLAY
One of Paul's favourite thoughts is of the Christian Church as a body
(compare 1 Corinthians 12:12-27). The members of the body neither argue
with eachother nor envy eachother nor dispute about their relative
importance. Eachpart of the body carries out its own function, however
prominent or howeverhumbly unseen that function may be. It was Paul's
conviction that the Christian Church should be like that. Eachmember has a
task to do; and it is only when eachcontributes the help of his own task that
the body of the Church functions as it ought.
Beneaththis passagelie very important rules for life.

(i) First of all, it urges us to know ourselves. One of the first basic
commandments of the Greek wise men was:"Man, know thyself." We do not
get very far in this world until we know what we canand what we cannotdo.
An honestassessmentofour own capabilities, without conceitand without
false modesty, is one of the first essentials ofa useful life.
(ii) Second, it urges us to acceptourselves andto use the gift God has given us.
We are not to envy someone else's giftand regretthat some other gift has not
been given to us. We are to acceptourselves as we are, and use the gift we
have. The result may be that we have to acceptthe factthat service for us
means some humble sphere and some almost unseenpart.
It was one of the great basic beliefs of the Stoics that there was a spark of God
in every living creature. The Sceptics laughedat this doctrine. "Godin
worms?" demanded the Sceptic. "Godin dungbeetles?" Whereatthe Stoic
replied: "Why not? Cannot an earthwormserve God? Do you suppose that it
is only a generalwho is a goodsoldier? Cannot the lowestprivate or camp
attendant fight his best and give his life for the cause?Happy are you if you
are serving God, and carrying out the greatpurpose as truly as an
earthworm."
The efficiencyof the life of the universe depends on the humblest creatures.
Paul is here saying that a man must accepthimself; and, even if he finds that
the contribution he has to offer will be unseen, without praise and without
prominence, he must make it, certain that it is essentialand that without it the
world and the Church cannever be what they are meant to be.

JOSEPHBEET
Romans 12:4-5. Further exposition of the foregoing words, as a reasonagainst
high thoughts, and especiallyofthe emphasis word to-each-one.
In one body: an all-important metaphor, peculiar in the Bible to Paul: see
note under 1 Corinthians 12:30.
Members: as in Romans 6:13, a passagealreadyrecalledby Romans 12:1.
The same action: the eye, ear, hand, work in totally different ways.
The many: as in Romans 5:15; Romans 5:19.
In Christ: in consequence ofour inward union with Christ, we stand in a
relation to eachother similar to that of the various members of a human body.
All high thoughts of self imply under-estimate of others: but we shall not
under-estimate those bound to us by a tie of common interest similar to that of
the various members of a living body. Same argument in 1 Corinthians 12:12-
31.
Members one of another: same word and similar argument in Ephesians 4:25.

STEVEN COLE
Humility in the Functioning Body (Romans 12:4-5)
RelatedMedia
Unless you’re an airplane buff, you probably don’t recognize the name,
Charles Lawrence. He is credited with developing the engine for “The Spirit
of St. Louis,” the aircraft that Charles Lindbergh flew non-stop from Long
Island to Paris in 1927.
After Lindbergh’s record-setting flight, friends of Lawrence held a dinner in
honor of his achievement. At the dinner, in response to all the attention being
lavished on him, he made this humble comment: “This is nice, and I
appreciate it very much, but who ever heard of Paul Revere’s horse?”(Source
unknown)
Lawrence’s commentreflects the humility with which the church, the body of
Christ, should function. Some members, like Lindbergh, are more prominent
and getthe attention. But without the behind the scenes work ofa man like
Charles Lawrence, Lindbergh never could have gotten off the ground. And
for the proper functioning of the body of Christ, there have to be dozens of
faithful servants humbly working behind the scenes, who don’t care about
getting the glory. Their desire is to make the church be all that God wants it to
be.
The apostle Paulis showing us how the life of sacrificialservice (12:1) plays
out in ministry to others. At the heart of the properly functioning body of
Christ the members must not be conformed to this evil age, but be
transformed by the renewing of their minds (12:2). The renewedmind will not
think more highly of itself than it ought to think, but will think with sound

judgment, as God has allotted to eacha measure of faith (12:3). In other
words, eachmember will not arrogantly think that he is better or more
important than others. But also, he will not despise the gifts that God has
given to him, howeverinsignificant they may seem. He will humbly exercise
them for the goodof the body and the glory of God. So Paul now (12:4-8)
shows how humility operates in the functioning body of Christ. He is saying
that humility requires that we recognize the conceptof the body of Christ
(12:4-5); and that we function in the area of our own gifts (12:6-8).
In 12:4-5 Paul briefly sets forth the conceptof the church as the body of
Christ, which is one of severalNew Testamentanalogies usedto describe the
church. (Paul develops this in much more detail in 1 Cor. 12:12-27;also, Eph.
1:22-23;4:15-16;Col. 2:19). Then in 12:6-8, he mentions, by way of example,
sevenspiritual gifts that function in the body, making the point that those who
possessthese gifts must exercise them faithfully in order for the body to
function properly. No one member possessesallthe gifts, and thus we’re all
interdependent. To the extent that the members of a localchurch do not
recognize the conceptof the body and faithfully function as humble members
of the body, that church will be dysfunctional. But when the members of a
church faithfully exercise their gifts with humility, that church will be healthy.
Today we can only look at 12:4-5, where Paul makes the point that…
Humility requires that we recognize and function within the conceptof the
body of Christ.
Romans 12:4-5: “Forjust as we have many members in one body and all the
members do not have the same function, so we, who are many, are one body in
Christ, and individually members one of another.”

“For” shows that Paul is explaining further the implications of 12:3. We think
with sound judgment and proper humility when we recognize that we’re only
a part of the one body of Christ and that we’re members of one another. Just
as the human body doesn’tfunction wellwhen only a few members work, so
neither does the body of Christ. All the members must work togetherin
humility. The analogyof the church as the body of Christ implies five truths:
1. The body of Christ is an organic unity, made up of diverse members.
The church is the community of all who believe in Jesus Christ during the
New Testamentera. Covenanttheologians extend the church to include all
believers of all time, including those who believed under the old covenant.
While the Greek word for church or assembly, ekklesia, is used once in the
New Testamentof the entire nation of Israel in the wilderness (Acts 7:38), I
believe that there are some important distinctions betweenIsraeland the New
Testamentchurch.
Israelwas a national, ethnic group made up of both believers and unbelievers.
The church, in its truest sense, is a spiritual group made up of believers from
many ethnic nations. In Israel, eventhose who believed are never described as
belonging to the body of Christ. The church in this sense came into being on
the Dayof Pentecostwhenthe Holy Spirit baptized all who believe in Christ
into the one body of Christ (Acts 1:5; 1 Cor. 12:13). Membership in Israelwas
due to one’s physical birth. But as I’ll mention in the next point, membership
in the church is due to one’s spiritual birth.
I agree there is only one true people of God, consisting of all who believe in
Christ whether in the Old or New Testamenteras. But I would contend that
there is a difference, even betweenbelievers in both eras. Old Testament
saints were not a part of the living, organic body of Christ, baptized by the
Spirit into this one body, with Jesus Christ as Head. And if you compare the
entire nation of Israelwith the church, the differences are even greater. The

nation of Israelwas a physical, ethnic entity, containing both unbelievers and
believers. The church is a spiritual organic entity, containing only believers.
I’ll saymore about the unity of the church in a moment, but for now I will
point out that at its essence, the church is not an organization, but rather an
organism. Organisms are highly organized, but in addition, they have life.
Connectedvitally to Jesus Christ as our head, the church shares His life in us.
This means:
2. We become members of the body through the new birth, which unites us to
all other regeneratedpeople.
To use another analogyfor the church, when a personis born again, he is
born into God’s family. All other believers become his brothers or sisters.
While I think that there is a legitimate place for having a defined membership
in a localchurch, at its most basic level you do not become a member of the
church by going to a new members’ class, filling out a membership
application, being interviewed by an elder, and being formally welcomedinto
the church. You become a member of the church by believing in Jesus Christ
as Savior and Lord. The membership process is to help the elders to ensure
that all who join the church have a credible professionof faith in Christ. But
the point is, you don’t become a member of the church as the body of Christ
by natural birth, but by the new birth.
In my judgment, those that view the church as an extensionof or replacement
for Israeland view baptism as the replacement for circumcisioninevitably get
into trouble because theyhave many in membership who have not been born
again. These people were born in the church, baptized as infants, confirmed
by going through a catechismclass,and welcomedinto the membership of the
church as adults without a credible professionof faith in Christ.

Eventually, the church becomes like Israel, a mixed multitude with many who
have never trusted in Christ as Savior. Thus many of these denominations
now acceptpracticing homosexuals as clergyand deny many cardinal
doctrines of the faith. At its rootthis is because they have not recognizedthat
the fundamental basis of membership in a localchurch is the new birth
through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, not physical birth into the covenant
community.
I grant that even localchurches such as ours that insist on the new birth as the
basis for membership have some who slip through the cracks. Theyhave
become officialmembers, but they have never truly been born again. We try
to prevent this through the membership process,but we cannot know a
person’s heart. But our aim is to limit the membership of the church to those
who have been born again. That is how we become members of the church
universal. We try to apply that to the locallevel.
3. The church as the body of Christ means that God has not called us to be
Christians in isolation, but in relationship with one another.
In other words, the church is not just a place where you come, as you would to
a theater, to watcha show and then leave without much if any interaction with
other attenders. Or, a church is not like a collegeclassroom, where you may
know a few of the students, but you only come to hear the lecture, chat with a
couple of friends in the hallway after class, and then go your own ways. The
church is a body, which implies a deeperlevel of contactand interaction than
the theateror classroomcomparisons provide.
A body does not do well when its members are not connectedwith one
another. My fingers only work when connectedwith my hands and my hands
with my arms and my arms to my body. The whole thing has to be vitally
connectedwith my head. While in a church that is much larger than 100
people it’s impossible to know everyone well, you should have a network of

some with whom you go deeperthan just saying “hello” on Sunday morning
and then not seeing them againfor another week. The earlychurch in
Jerusalemis our model. It consistedofmany thousands of members (Acts
2:41, 47;4:4; 6:7). They met at the temple to hear the apostles’teaching, but
they also met house to house for interaction on a deeper level (Acts 2:42, 46).
The principle of the body means that we need to be developing relationships
with some other members of the body for the purpose of mutual growthin
Christ.
As you know, we Americans tend to be individualistic. We admire the strong,
independent guy who can make it on his own. To depend on others for help is
a sign of weakness.But as Christians, we need to fight this tendency. There is
a sense in which eachbeliever must bear his own load or be responsible for his
own spiritual growth (Gal. 6:5). But there is another sense in which we must
bear one another’s burdens, because we are members of one another (Gal.
6:2). The principle of the body means that we need eachother to grow and
stand strong againstthe enemy. But to admit that and practice it requires
humility.
Years ago, Gene Getz wrote a helpful book, Building Up One Another [Victor
Books,1976], in which he examined many of the “one another’s” in the New
Testament. He said (p. 4) that outside of the gospels, there are 58 uses of the
Greek word that is usually translated “one another.” His 12 chapter headings
were:
“Members of One Another” (Rom. 12:5)
“Devotedto One Another” (Rom. 12:10)
“Honor One Another” (Rom. 12:10)
“Be of the Same Mind with One Another” (Rom. 15:5)

“AcceptOne Another” (Rom. 15:7)
“Admonish One Another” (Rom. 15:14)
“GreetOne Another” (Rom. 16:3-6, 16)
“Serve One Another” (Gal. 5:13)
“BearOne Another’s Burdens” (Gal. 6:2)
“Bearing with One Another” (Eph. 4:2)
“Submit to One Another” (Eph. 5:21)
“EncourageOne Another” (1 Thess. 5:11)
Note that many of these references come from Romans. All of them are
specific ways to show love for one another (John 13:34-35). Getz’point is that
the New Testamenthas a strong emphasis on the factthat we are not to be
Christians in isolation, but in relationship with one another.
But that’s often the rub, isn’t it? Relationships oftenresult in
misunderstanding, conflict, and hurt feelings, evenin the body of Christ. I
often meet Christians who have been deeply hurt by fellow believers.
Sometimes they drop out of the church altogetherbecause oftheir bad
experience. Or they may attend church, but they refuse to getinvolved
because they don’t want to get hurt again. Perhaps some of you hold back
from serving in the church because ofpast bad experiences.
But in this fallen world, even in the body of Christ, relationships always
expose you to the risk of getting hurt. I only half-jokingly sayto those joining
this church that we promise to offend you or hurt your feelings at some point.
I hope that it’s not intentional, but it’s almostinevitable because ofour
differences and because we’re allstill prone to sin. When you getmen and
women (there’s serious potentialfor misunderstanding right there!), of
different ages, different cultural and racialbackgrounds, and sometimes even

different linguistic backgrounds, togetherand throw in the world, the flesh,
and the devil, you’ve gotthe potential for conflictand division! But the
benefits of loving relationships outweighthe risks of getting hurt.
Someone once describedthe church as Noah’s Ark: You couldn’t stand the
stench inside if it weren’t for the storm outside! Well, it’s not that bad! But we
do need to keepworking at our relationships and growing in love for one
another. Separating from one another should only be a last resortand only for
serious reasons.
But in light of the thousands of different denominations, you might wonder
how Paul can saythat we are “one body” (12:5).
4. The unity of the one body of Christ is invisible and spiritual, not outward
and organizational.
Paul says (12:5), “We who are many, are one body in Christ.” We need to
think carefully about what this means. As a pastor, I frequently feel pressure
to join with some attempt to bring all the churches in Flagstafftogetherin an
outward show of unity. It may be a prayer breakfastor a community worship
service. I receivedan invitation to attend the multi-faith prayer service this
past week atone of the churches in town. At the bottom of the invitation was
the logo for the familiar bumper stickerthat has symbols for the world’s
major faiths, along with the word “Co-exist!” I did not acceptthat invitation!
The ecumenicalmovement has tried to bring about outward, organizational
unity betweenvarious denominations through organizations such as the
World Councilof Churches and the NationalCouncil of Churches. Although
the statements of faith of these organizations sound okayon the surface, in
practice they welcome denominations that are liberal and in some cases,

heretical. The NationalAssociationofEvangelicals attempts to bring more
evangelicalchurches togetherin some sort of visible, organizationalunity.
While there may be some benefits in belonging to an associationoflike-
minded churches for the accomplishment of largergoals (FCF belongs to the
SouthwestConservative BaptistAssociation), we must remember that at its
heart, the unity of the body of Christ is invisible and spiritual, not outward
and organizational. As I said, it consists ofthe fact that all who have trusted in
Christ have receivednew life in Him and were baptized by the Spirit into this
one body (1 Cor. 12:13). This is a unity that God creates,not one that we
create.
In Ephesians 4, Paul speaks oftwo aspects ofthis spiritual unity. In verse 3 he
exhorts us to be “diligent to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of
peace.” This is the unity that the Spirit creates.We do not cause it, but we
must be diligent to preserve it through humility, gentleness, patience, and
tolerance in love (Eph. 4:2). But in verse 12 Paul states that the various gifted
leaders are to equip the saints for the work of the ministry and the building up
of the body of Christ. Then he adds (4:13), “until we all attain to the unity of
the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a mature man, to the
measure of the stature which belongs to the fullness of Christ.” This is a unity
that we must labor to attain, not (as with the unity of the Spirit) to preserve. It
is not basedon our common faith in Christ alone, but also on our growing
knowledge ofChrist through God’s Word.
So the operative phrase in Romans 12:5 is, “in Christ.” We are only unified
with those who are truly in Christ through the new birth, which is an inner,
spiritual unity. We should strive to show this unity outwardly through love
and cooperationwhenpossible. Frankly, it is not always easyto know how
and when to display outward unity, because some who are truly born againat
the same time hold to some strange doctrines and practices that I would

rather not be identified with publicly. If you’re interested in pursuing this
further, I wrote a paper, “Separationvs. Cooperation” (onthe church web
site).
Thus humility requires that we think carefully about this conceptof the body
of Christ. This means that the church is an organic unity, made up of diverse
members. We become members of the body through the new birth, which
unites us to all other born againpeople. The church as the body of Christ also
implies that Godhas not calledus to be Christians in isolation, but in
relationship with one another. And the unity of the one body of Christ is
invisible and spiritual, not outward and organizational. Finally,
5. This one body is made up of diverse members, eachhaving different
interdependent functions for the well-being of the whole body.
We are “individually members one of another.” As Paul elaborates onthis (1
Cor. 12:14-21):
For the body is not one member, but many. If the foot says, “BecauseIam not
a hand, I am not a part of the body,” it is not for this reasonany the less a
part of the body. And if the ear says, “BecauseIam not an eye, I am not a
part of the body,” it is not for this reasonany the less a part of the body. If the
whole body were an eye, where would the hearing be? If the whole were
hearing, where would the sense ofsmell be? But now God has placed the
members, eachone of them, in the body, just as He desired. If they were all
one member, where would the body be? But now there are many members,
but one body. And the eye cannot sayto the hand, “I have no need of you”; or
againthe head to the feet, “I have no need of you.”
In other words, we are interdependent and we need one another for the body
to function well. But it takes humility to recognize this and make it work,

Jesus was the source of unity

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Similaire à Jesus was the source of unity

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Jesus was the source of unity