Friday, 26 December 2014
…that there should be no schism in the body, but that the members should have the same care for one another. 1 Corinthians 12:25
Paul has been speaking of the body parts and their importance, even if there are some that are seemingly unimportant. But he informed us that “God composed the body, having given greater honor to that part which lacks it.” It is with this thought in mind that he now gives the reason God has done these things. It is “that there should be no schism in the body.”
This word, schism, is the same word used in 1 Corinthians 1:10 as he was opening the letter. It indicates a “division.” This is exactly what precipitated the writing of the letter in the first place. There in 1:10 he said –
“Now I plead with you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.”
His use of the body parts to show the importance of each of them, regardless of how they are perceived at first, is to show that they are all “perfectly joined together.” He is returning the body of this entire section back to the original thought of Chapter 1. Understanding this, we can see the heart of Paul (and God who inspired his writings) for unity within the congregation and felicity between the various members. And this is so that “the members should have the same care for one another.”
As the epistle is given for this very purpose, then it is immensely important that the body of believers holds fast to what God has intended. Within the congregation, let no self-exalting occur and let no deprecation of others be found. Rather, let there be care for one another.
Life application: It won’t hurt you a bit to treat the seemingly lowest person in the church with kindness and respect. And it won’t hurt one iota to humble yourself before those you worship with. In fact, doing both will increase your esteem in the eyes of the Lord.
Heavenly Father, give me a humble heart to look at others with the same eyes that You do. Help me to be kind and respectful, even to those who may seem unlovable. Whoever walks through the door of the church is there to be in the church. Let me not exalt myself over them, but instead remind me to treat them in a manner worthy of the Lord Jesus who washed the feet of His disciples whom He created and gave life to. In this, I know You will be pleased. Amen.