Paul calls the church the “body of Christ.” He wants to emphasize that despite the incredible differences that exist between Christians, we belong together. We need each other even though that may not always be a comfortable fact.
It is no accident that Paul spends so much time talking about the unity of the body to the church in Corinth. They were a fractious and difficult people. Scholars have estimated that the Corinthian church may have been no more than fifty or so people. If that is so, they must have been among the most contrary fifty people ever to get together. The two letters we have that Paul wrote to Corinth detail so many different issues and problems I tend to think, “Surely this must represent more than just fifty people!”
With all their problems, disagreements and disappointments, Paul still wanted the Corinthians to understand how much they needed each other.
Jesus did not die just for me—he died for us. Jesus gave himself for his bride—the church. Jesus never inten
