Verse 12
The apostle spoke of this comparison in other epistles as well (Romans 12:4-5; Ephesians 4:11-13; Colossians 1:18; Colossians 2:19). He probably adapted the idea of the body politic, an essentially secular but commonly understood concept, to illustrate the church. There can be unity in a body without uniformity. Here the apostle stressed the fact that diversity among the members is an essential part of a unified body. Evidently the Corinthians were striving for unanimity and did not appreciate that there can and must be diversity in a "spiritual" church.
"One of the marks of an individual’s maturity is a growing understanding of, and appreciation for, his own body. There is a parallel in the spiritual life: as we mature in Christ, we gain a better understanding of the church, which is Christ’s body. The emphasis in recent years on ’body life’ has been a good one. It has helped to counteract the wrong emphasis on ’individual Christianity’ that can lead to isolation from the local church." [Note: Wiersbe, 1:607.]
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