(1Co 12:29) “Are all apostles? are all prophets? are all teachers? are all workers of miracles? (30)  Have all the gifts of healing? do all speak with tongues? do all interpret?”  The answer is, “No”. The Holy Spirit gave each of us abilities through Himself for us to use for the good of the people (the church), each being every bit as important as the other.

(1Co 12:28) “And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues.”  It is enough to say we do not see these active in churches today. What should be pointed out before looking at the verses to follow is one word that puts aside “the heavenly language” error of today – “diversities” of tongues – languages. Not one “heavenly language”, but each person speaking or interpreting a known language.

(1Co 12:27) “Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular.”  As a physical being, what one does not seemakes it hard to grab and hang onto of the spiritual. These words are truth. I am one with the folks of my local church and should act accordingly.

(1Co 12:26) “And whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it; or one member be honoured, all the members rejoice with it.”  I remember rejoicing in church as an elderly woman gave praise to God for giving her a parking spot near the store. It wasn’t a small insignificant thing to her and neither should it have been for  us. When we love the brethren we care about both their joy and their sorrow.

 (1Co 12:24) “For our comely parts have no need: but God hath tempered the body together, having given more abundant honour to that part which lacked: (25) That there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another.”  It is very revealing of true spirituality through how a congregation treats the “strange; different” among them. Our sinful nature thinks, and thus acts so differently than the Lord would have us think and thus act.

(1Co 12:23) “And those members of the body, which we think to be less honourable, upon these we bestow more abundant honour; and our uncomely parts have more abundant comeliness.”  Seek out those in the church who seem to sit alone, go right to their seats, have few people that speak to them. Instead of talking with those you enjoy, spend time talking with them. Please your Lord rather than self.

 (1Co 12:21) “And the eye cannot say unto the hand, I have no need of thee: nor again the head to the feet, I have no need of you. (22) Nay, much more those members of the body, which seem to be more feeble, are necessary:” I am not a doctor, but I know there is not a portion of my body I am willing to give up. Our flippancy regarding faithful attendance reveals our total lack of understanding, care, or faith in God’s revealed Word. Each person is vital to the function of the local Church.

(1Co 12:21) “And the eye cannot say unto the hand, I have no need of thee: nor again the head to the feet, I have no need of you.”  There is a part of our old nature God hates – pride. We each have it in us. It is insidious. Those who seem most humble still possess pride in their hearts. We are no better than anyone else, no matter how much we contribute to the ministry of church. The “least” is needed every bit as much as the “greatest”.

(1Co 12:19) “And if they were all one member, where were the body? (20)  But now are they many members, yet but one body.”  Each person is to be active in the body, serving in some way. Don’t waste time “seeking” what you are gifted to do. Instead, look for what needs to be done and the Lord will give you the ability to do it. The Lord uses those who truly wish to be used.

(1Co 12:14) “For the body is not one member, but many. (15)  If the foot shall say, Because I am not the hand, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body? (16)  And if the ear shall say, Because I am not the eye, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body? (17)  If the whole body were an eye, where were the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where were the smelling? (18)  But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him.”  From the most acknowledged to the least acknowledged, they are equally important. God help us to look at each person as God would have us.