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For other cases in which this simile is employed, see Romans 12:4, 5; Ephesians 4:16; Ephesians 5:30; Colossians 2:19. The human body presents a very striking illustration of

(1) diversity of gifts, each member having its own endowment and use;

(2) unity amid diversity, since each member shares the common life;

(3) mutual dependence, as each member is efficient for its particular use only with the aid and support of all the others. "Unity, not unvarying uniformity, is the law of God in the world of grace as in that of nature. As the many members of the body compose an organic whole, and none can be dispensed with as needless, so those variously gifted by the Spirit compose a spiritual organic whole, the body of Christ, into which all are baptized by the one Spirit." Using the human body for illustration of the Church regarded as Christ's body, it may be shown that -

I. IT IS A WHOLE. Evidently for it there was a plan, an ideal. It is a complete thing. It has its appointed parts; nothing whatever can be added to it, and nothing can be taken from it. Though it may be unrealized as yet, God sees his Church to be, as perfect, a whole.

II. IT IS A VARIETY. The sides of the body seem to match, but even the left and the right have their special functions. Every limb and member and joint has its individual mission. And so in the Church of Christ. No two of its members are really alike, and each has his fitted place and appointed work.

III. IT IS A SET OF RELATIONS. No member having any powers or abilities by itself; doing its own particular work only with the aid of all the other members. The whole being set in mutual dependence and helpfulness.

IV. IT IS A HARMONY. So long as each part and portion does its own particular work efficiently and well. Schism in the body is disease, common helplessness, and the beginnings of death.

V. EACH MEMBER CAN ONLY DO ITS PART BY VIRTUE OF THE COMMON LIFE. Use our Lord's illustration from the vine and the branches. The member must abide in the body, and the branch in the vine. Apply in each case to the Christian Church, and impress that, in the body and in the Church, there can be

(1) no unnecessary part;

(2) no idle member; and

(3) no dishonourable or unhonoured portion; since each has its particular use for the good of the, whole. - R.T.

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KJV: For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ.

WEB: For as the body is one, and has many members, and all the members of the body, being many, are one body; so also is Christ.