The apostle Paul, the greatest bandeirante of Christianity, writing his first epistle to the Corinthians, highlights three characteristics of the church. In the case of internal divisions in the church (chapter 1-4), moral problems (chap 5), disputes between believers (chapter 6), family problems (chapter 7), lack of understanding the limits of Christian freedom (chapter 8-10), incomprehension and indiscipline in the celebration of the supper (chapter 11), the apostle goes on to discuss spiritual gifts and the way in which members should treat each other (chapter 12). We highlight three solemn truths:
First, the unity of the church (1Co 12.12,13). The body is one, but it has many members. The members, although many and different, are part of a single body. The members of a body cooperate with each other instead of war with each other. The members protect each other instead of hurting each other. All members work for the body. They live to serve the body. Each member has its value and each one is indispensable for the good functioning of the body. All of us, different members of the Body, whether Jews or Gentiles, rich or poor, doctors or illiterates, men or women, young or old, were baptized by the same Spirit in the same Body. We are a unit. We are one Body, one family, one flock, one Church.
Second, the diversity of the church (1Co 12.14-24). After discussing the unity of the Body, Paul goes on to talk about the diversity of the members. In the body the members are diverse, but not disposable. They have different functions, but no member is self-sufficient. The members, although different, do not live for themselves, they live to serve one another and work for the good of the body. In this diversity, two dangers must be avoided: First, the inferiority complex (1Co 12.15-17). The foot can not say to the hand: because I am not a hand, I am not of the body. The ear can not say to the eye: because I am not an eye, I am not of the body. If the whole body were an eye, where would the ear be? If the whole body is heard, where, the smell? The members of the body do not dispute pre-eminence, because it was God who arranged the members, placing each of them in the body, as he convinced him (1Co 12.18). Have you already imagined a body with only one member? It would not be a body! (1Co 12.19). Paul concludes by saying: "The truth is that there are many members, but only one body" (1Co 12.20).
The second danger: the superiority complex (1Co 12.21-24). The apostle Paul argues: "The eyes can not say to the hand: We do not need you, not even the head, to the feet: I do not need you" (1Co 12.21). The members of the body that seem weaker are necessary and also clothed with more honor. This is how God arranged the members in the body, so that there would be no feeling of self-loathing or arrogance. The Church is not a vanity fair or a catwalk where everyone is exhibited. The Church is a Body, where the members are different, and each of them, of maximum utility and importance.
Third, the mutual of the church (1Co 12.25,26). Our differences as members of the Body should not encourage the division of the Church, but mutual cooperation. We must cooperate with each other instead of fighting against each other. We must protect each other instead of hurting each other. The pain of one member must be the pain of the other members. At the same time, the joys of a member should be the celebration of the other members. Paul is emphatic when he says: "So if one member suffers, all suffer with him, and if one of them is honored, with him everyone rejoiced" (1 Cor 12.26). May we honor Jesus, the Head of the Church, observing his precepts, and caring for one another, so that the Church may grow and be strengthened for glory and God.