1 Corinthians 12:13

Baptized into one body. The baptism here referred to is doubtless that which accompanies baptism by water in the case of every truly newborn child of God (see Matt. 3:11). Water baptism is valueless unless the one being baptized has been born again by the Holy Spirit (John 3:5, 6, 8). It is through the work of the Holy Spirit that men become members of the body of Christ.

Jews or Gentiles. Whatever may have been a man’s former condition of life, or whatever his nationality, surrender to Christ and baptism by His Spirit removes all former differences between him and other believers, for all are on the same level in the sight of God. It is not nationality that counts, but humble acceptance of Jesus as Saviour, and willingness to let Him lead at all times.

Bond or free. Or, “slaves and freedmen.” Compare Gal. 3:28; Col. 3:11. The fact that there were many nationalities and social classes comprising the body of Christ, heightens the idea of diversity. Yet in spite of diversity there is unity.

Into one Spirit. Textual evidence attests (cf. p. 10) the omission of the preposition “into.” Without it the phrase reads, “of one Spirit.” The reference is probably to the work of the Holy Spirit at the time of baptism, including the bestowal of the gifts. Some commentators refer this phrase “all made to drink” to the common participation in the cup at the Lord’s Supper, by which action believers showed that they all belonged to the same body, the church of God, and were all united in heart. However, the form of the verb translated “made to drink” is such as to refer the action of drinking to a definite time in the past, rather than to repeated participations in the ordinance of the Lord’s Supper.