1 Corinthians 12:12-20
12The human body has many parts, but the many parts make up one whole body. So it is with the body of Christ. 13Some of us are Jews, some are Gentiles, some are slaves, and some are free. But we have all been baptized into one body by one Spirit, and we all share the same Spirit. 14Yes, the body has many different parts, not just one part. 15If the foot says, “I am not a part of the body because I am not a hand,” that does not make it any less a part of the body. 16And if the ear says, “I am not part of the body because I am not an eye,” would that make it any less a part of the body? 17If the whole body were an eye, how would you hear? Or if your whole body were an ear, how would you smell anything? 18But our bodies have many parts, and God has put each part just where he wants it. 19How strange a body would be if it had only one part! 20Yes, there are many parts, but only one body.
1 Corinthians 12:12-20 · NLT · read the whole chapter ↗
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Context
the church in Corinth was full of different kinds of people, and some of them thought their gifts made them more important than everyone else.
Paul uses the human body as a picture. a body has many parts, and every one of them matters. a foot cannot leave the body just because it is not a hand.
he is talking to people who felt left out and to people who felt superior. both groups needed to hear that God placed every part exactly where he wanted it.
What it means
you have a place in God's family, and your part matters. faith is meant to be lived with others, and the group is missing something when you are not there.
did you know? Paul wrote this in a city known for its divisions between rich and poor, Jews and Greeks, and slaves and free people.
Think about it
what do you bring to your group, team or church that others might not?
Try this
this week, use one of your strengths to help someone else, like helping a friend study or welcoming someone new.
pray: God, thank you for giving me a place. show me how to use what you have given me to help others.
talk about it: what strength do you see in someone in your group?