Big Idea: In a fashion parallel to the physical body, which God created with a plurality of parts with different functions, God grants a multiplicity of spiritual gifts in order for the Christ community to function as the incarnate body of Christ.

Understanding the Text

After giving a theological basis for unity in diversity, Paul now turns to a most memorable explication that stands out in a special way in the Corinthian situation. The multiplicity of spiritual gifts is designed to enable Christ’s members to function as parts of Christ’s body. Paul’s thought flows naturally through this section. A physical body has many parts (12:12–14); these parts are all different (12:15–20), yet they all depend on each other (12:21–26); the same is true in Christ’s body (12:27–30). (See the “Additio…