The Body Of Christ
THE BODY OF CHRIST
ROMANS 12:3-5
Paul illustrates the diversity and unity of the church.
Verse 3. We are to have a proper recognition of the gifts we have. The second half of the verse is better translated: “but to cultivate a balanced soundness of mind, according as God has given to every one faith as a measure.” There is no suggestion that God metes out a varied capacity for faith. Faith may be given for the asking, and, like God’s Spirit in John’s phrase (John 3:34), is “without limit [or: measure].” Faith is the measure, the measuring instrument (Revelation 21:15), by which a person can assess their Christian soundness of mind. According to a person’s faith, so will that person judge themselves and their attitudes, testimony and vocation.
12:4. The metaphor of the body is developed in 1 Corinthians 12, and appears again in Colossians 1:18 and Ephesians 4:15f. The idea is found in Plato, another indication of Paul’s wide reading, and may reflect conversations with Luke, the physician. The body is healthy when all its parts cooperate, each in its proper sphere. The less visible parts, as pathology demonstrates, are as vital to full health, indeed, to life, as the more visible parts. Microscopic malfunctions produce tragic diseases. So it is with the church too.
12:5. For the sake of each, and for the sake of all, we are to find, by the judgment and discernment that faith can temper and control (12:3), the proper function allotted to us, to perform that function with zest and smooth efficiency, and not to hanker after a role and place for which we were not intended. The dependence of all is upon Christ.
“Balanced soundness of mind” is the key to such correctness of Christian conduct. It is reason, sanctified by the indwelling Christ, and cooperating with faith, which shapes the awareness of the part we are to play and helps us to play it well with no thought of envy or regret. Each of us is equally significant. For example, the widow of Zarephath, the child with loaves and fish, Simon of Cyrene, and the woman who gave her small copper coins, did not realize how important was the part each played.
Note it is equally damaging for a healthy member of the body to remain inactive, as for any member to usurp a role for which nature did not design it. Both faults cripple the body of Christ.