A PLURALITY, BUT STILL ONE

Romans 12:4-5

Victor M. Eskew

 

INTRODUCTION

 

A.   Romans 12 begins with instructions regarding several Christian relationships.

1.    A Christian’s relationship with God (Rom. 12:1).

2.    A Christian’s relationship with the world (Rom. 12:2).

3.    A Christian’s relationship with self (Rom. 12:3).

 

B.   In this lesson, Paul discussions the Christian’s relationship with the body of Christ (Rom. 12:4-5).

 

For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office:  so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another.

 

C.   We have entitled this lesson:  “A Plurality, but Still One.”

 

I.             THE COMPARISON (Rom. 12:4-5)

 

A.   The “big picture” of these two verses involves a comparison between the physical body and Christ’s spiritual body.  This comparison is made clear by the use of two small words, “as” (v. 4) and “so” (v. 5).

 

B.   The physical body (Rom. 12:4)

 

For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office.

 

C.   The spiritual body (Rom. 12:5)

 

So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another.

 

D.   God created the world and all things that are therein.  Hundreds of things in the physical creation were made to be likened unto spiritual things.

1.    Seed

2.    Grass

3.    Trees

4.    Families:  fathers, mothers, children

5.    Water, rivers, fountains

6.    Bread

7.    Leaven

8.    Lambs

9.    Serpents

10. The heavenly hosts

 

II.           THE COMPOSITION

 

A.   Plural (Rom. 12:4-5)

1.    The physical body is composed of many members.

a.    Hair, ears, eyes, nose, mouth, neck, chest, two arms, ten fingers, stomach, two legs, two feet, ten toes.

1)    Just these compose a lot of members of the body.

2)    Too, the members do not all have the same office, that is, function.

b.    Paul did not have access to all of the knowledge that we have of the body today.

1.    There are twelve different systems that operate in the body.

2.    The body contains five vital organs.

3.    The body has 206 bones in it.

4.    The ear:

a.    Outer ear:  pinna, ear canal, eardrum (tempanic membrane)

b.    Middle ear:  3 bones (malleus, incus, stapes) called ossicles that send the movements of the eardrum to the inner ear

c.    Inner ears:  cochlea, semicircular canals, and nerves

d.    Auditory nerve:  the hearing system pathway in the brain

5.    We could enlarge even more on the cells of the body, the brain, and our DNA

2.    The spiritual body

a.    Talents (Matt. 25:14-15):  five, two, and one talents

b.    Gifts (Rom. 12:6-8)

c.    Leadership positions (Eph. 4:11):  apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers

d.    In the first century church, there were nine miraculous gifts that members of the church could possess (1 Cor. 12:7-11):  word of wisdom, word of knowledge, faith, healing, working of miracles, prophecy, discerning of spirits, tongues, and the interpretation of tongues

 

B.   Singular (Rom. 12:4-5)

1.    The physical body is still singular in nature.  “…many members in one body” (v. 4).

2.    The spiritual body is one as well. 

a.    “So we, being many, are one body in Christ…”

b.    This concept is set forth multiple times in the Scripture.

1)    1Corinthians 10:17

 

For we being many are one bread, and one body…

 

2)    1 Corinthians 12:12

 

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.

 

3)    1 Corinthians 12:13

 

For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body…

 

4)    Ephesians 2:16

 

And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body…

 

5)    Ephesians 4:4

 

There is one body…

 

6)    Colossians 3:15

 

And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body…

 

c.    NOTE:  The singular nature of the church, the body of Christ, is not understood very well by those in denominations. 

1)    When it is preached, it is taught with the taint of denominationalism which teaches that the denominations are members of the body.  Paul could not have inferred such an interpretation.  Denominations did not exist in the first century, and the New Testament never authorizes them.

2)    The New Testament, however, teaches us that individual Christians are the members of the body.

 

III.         THE COORDINATION

 

A.   Diverse (Rom. 12:4)

1.    The physical body:  have not the same office

a.    The eye is clearly distinct from the ear.

b.    The hand is clearly distinct from the foot.

c.    The heart is clearly distinct from the liver.

2.    The spiritual body:  “So we, being many…”

a.    We have already noted the many diversities in the body:  age, gender, race, talents, gifts, positions, experiences, professions, socio-economic status, and on the list goes.

b.    Diversity in the body of Christ is wonderful.

1)    We have variety instead of boring sameness.

2)    It keeps one another out of each other’s business.

3)    It enables us to find “our spot.”

4)    It enables the body to get many more things done.

5)    It allows members of the body to assist one another at times.

6)    It is part of what causes the body of Christ to grow.

7)    It is part of what draws those in the world to the body of Christ.

 

B.   Unified (Rom. 12:5)

1.    In the midst of the diversity, however, it unity.

2.    One individual referred to it as “harmonious diversity.”

3.    The many members are…

a.    Under the authority of one Head, Christ.

b.    Able to work toward a common goal.

c.    Able to worship the Father with one spirit and one voice.

d.    Able to manifest unity to the world (John 17:21).

 

That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us:  that the world may believe that thou hast sent me.

 

CONCLUSION

 

A.   The last point that we made is the point from which we get the title for this lesson,  “A Plurality, but Still One.”

 

B.   We do not always do very well with the plurality or with the oneness.

1.    Sometimes there is strife among members with regard to diversity (Ex., the church at Corinth when it came to spiritual gifts).

2.    Sometimes we do not truly appreciate the gifts of another person.  We try to make them into a member they were never designed to be.

3.    Sometimes one member gets into another member’s area of responsibility. 

4.    Or, we just do not manifest the unity to the world that God desires.

 

C.   Ephesians 4:16

 

From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.

 

1.    One body

2.    Many parts

3.    All parts are needed.

4.    All parts are working.

5.    All parts are working together.

6.    All of the part are unified, “fitly jointed together.”

7.    They make increase of the body.

8.    They are joined together in a bond of love.