“If they were all one member, where would the body be? But now there are many members, but one body. And the eye cannot say to the hand, “I have no need of you”; or again the head to the feet, “I have no need of you.” On the contrary, it is much truer that the members of the body which seem to be weaker are necessary; and those members of the body which we deem less honorable, on these we bestow more abundant honor, and our less presentable members become much more presentable, whereas our more presentable members have no need of it. But God has so composed the body, giving more abundant honor to that member which lacked, so that there may be no division in the body, but that the members may have the same care for one another.”

Body-life issues consume many Christian books. Simply put, how can Christians get along in the local church? Many leave “organized” Christianity because of the infighting, petty jealousies, interpersonal snubs and slights, and unresolved conflicts. When the human body attacks itself, there is a serious problem, but the parts of our bodies can’t simply choose a different body! In Christian circles, people move from church to church, looking for a new body that suits them as a member, yet the reality is we are all part of one body. Our inability to get along in a local representation of that body is symptomatic of a larger problem. So the illustration of body-life is an appropriate picture to contemplate.

There is one body; that is the overriding point. Secondly, there are many different members of the body. A more prominent member cannot dismiss the importance or value of a less prominent member. Every group has its position of prominence, whether it is the one preaching, the influential decision maker, the highly educated individual, or even the best-looking and most personally engaging individual. But there is no place for arrogance or treating “lesser” people as unneeded or inferior. In fact, Christian love (which interestingly comes in the very next chapter of this letter) demands that Christians in the local church raise up those who “seem to be weaker,” whom we deem “less honorable,” and treat them as essential, with abundant honor.

In dealing with our own physical bodies, we know these things to be true. We strengthen our areas of weakness; we beautify our less attractive parts. In the church, we should do likewise. Those whose gifts are less obvious or influential should be encouraged and honored more than the one whose gift is seen by all and has wider influence. That person receives honor inherently in his service. God in the end will praise those who have been faithful even in the “small” areas of influence; we should do that as well. That is unity.

Lord, help me honor those whom, in my arrogance, I see as lesser than me.