1 Corinthians 12:12-16

1. The solidarity of Christ’s Church as seen in the body metaphor
12 For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ . . . 14 For the body does not consist of one member but of many. 1 Corinthians 12:12; 14 (ESV)

Recalls the question:
13 Is Christ divided? . . . 1 Corinthians 1:13 (ESV)

16 The cup of blessing that we bless, is it not a participation in the blood of Christ? The bread that we break, is it not a participation in the body of Christ? 17 Because there is one bread, we who are many are one body, for we all partake of the one bread. 1 Corinthians 10:16-17 (ESV)

2. The Spiritual Baptism of Christ’s Church as seen in the body metaphor
13 For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body . . . 1 Corinthians 12:13 (ESV)

18 . . . be filled with the Spirit, Ephesians 5:18 (ESV)

3. The Inclusiveness of Christ’s Church as seen in the body metaphor
13 . . . Jews or Greeks, slaves or free—and all were made to drink of one Spirit.
1 Corinthians 12:13 (ESV)

27 For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. 28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. Galatians 3:27-28 (ESV)

Jesus body and the Temple:
19 Jesus answered them, “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.” 20 . . . 21 But he was speaking about the temple of his body. John 2:19-21 (ESV)

The body is to be offered to God in worship:
1 I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Romans 12:1 (ESV)

The Spirit who inhabits the temple leads it to worship:
16 Do you not know that you are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in you?
17 If anyone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy him. For God’s temple is holy, and you are that temple. 1 Corinthians 3:16-17 (ESV)

Unity dominates diversity and makes diversity genuinely meaningful and constructive (Garland)