1 Corinthians 12:14

Body. In vs. 14-26 Paul presents the idea that the unity of organization includes rather than excludes, a plurality of membership. He illustrates this by the organization of the human body, a system in which every part has its necessary duty. No part of the body can be satisfactorily dispensed with if the body is to continue to function efficiently. The different members are introduced as holding a discussion of this problem in a very dramatic style.

One member. The body is composed of various members, which have many offices to perform. A similar variety is to be expected in the church, and it is not to be presumed that all will be alike, or that any member God has placed there will be useless. It is not merely a multiplicity of parts that the body needs, nor a mere multiplicity of persons that a church requires. In both cases that which is required is a full complement of members unitedly performing all necessary functions for the good of the whole. The human body has no place or need for inactive members that do not make a contribution to the general efficiency of the whole organism; similarly the church needs consecrated, active members who continually make their contribution to the efficient performance of the work of the church in winning souls for the kingdom of God (see 4T 590; 5T 456, 457; 6T 434, 435).