What does the Bible say about the body of christ?

Top passages, ranked by readers

Rankings: OpenBible.info Topical Bible (CC BY) · Scripture: World English Bible

• 1 Corinthians 12:12-31

  [12] For as the body is one, and has many members, and all the members of the body, being many, are one body; so also is Christ. [13] For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, whether bond or free; and were all given to drink into one Spirit. [14] For the body is not one member, but many. [15] If the foot would say, "Because I'm not the hand, I'm not part of the body," it is not therefore not part of the body. [16] If the ear would say, "Because I'm not the eye, I'm not part of the body," it's not therefore not part of the body. [17] If the whole body were an eye, where would the hearing be? If the whole were hearing, where would the smelling be? [18] But now God has set the members, each one of them, in the body, just as he desired. [19] If they were all one member, where would the body be? [20] But now they are many members, but one body. [21] The eye can't tell the hand, "I have no need for you," or again the head to the feet, "I have no need for you." [22] No, much rather, those members of the body which seem to be weaker are necessary. [23] Those parts of the body which we think to be less honorable, on those we bestow more abundant honor; and our unpresentable parts have more abundant propriety; [24] whereas our presentable parts have no such need. But God composed the body together, giving more abundant honor to the inferior part, [25] that there should be no division in the body, but that the members should have the same care for one another. [26] When one member suffers, all the members suffer with it. Or when one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it. [27] Now you are the body of Christ, and members individually. [28] God has set some in the assembly: first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracle workers, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, and various kinds of languages. [29] Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Are all miracle workers? [30] Do all have gifts of healings? Do all speak with various languages? Do all interpret? [31] But earnestly desire the best gifts. Moreover, I show a most excellent way to you.

• Romans 12:4-5

  [4] For even as we have many members in one body, and all the members don't have the same function, [5] so we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another.

• Ephesians 4:16

  from whom all the body, being fitted and knit together through that which every joint supplies, according to the working in measure of each individual part, makes the body increase to the building up of itself in love.

• 1 Corinthians 12:27-31

  [27] Now you are the body of Christ, and members individually. [28] God has set some in the assembly: first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracle workers, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, and various kinds of languages. [29] Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Are all miracle workers? [30] Do all have gifts of healings? Do all speak with various languages? Do all interpret? [31] But earnestly desire the best gifts. Moreover, I show a most excellent way to you.

• Colossians 1:18

  He is the head of the body, the assembly, who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.

• Colossians 3:14-16

  [14] Above all these things, walk in love, which is the bond of perfection. [15] And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful. [16] Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly; in all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your heart to the Lord.

• 1 Corinthians 12:27

  Now you are the body of Christ, and members individually.

• Ephesians 1:20-23

  [20] which he worked in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and made him to sit at his right hand in the heavenly places, [21] far above all rule, and authority, and power, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age, but also in that which is to come. [22] He put all things in subjection under his feet, and gave him to be head over all things for the assembly, [23] which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all.

• Ephesians 3:6

  that the Gentiles are fellow heirs, and fellow members of the body, and fellow partakers of his promise in Christ Jesus through the Gospel,

• Ephesians 5:23-30

  [23] For the husband is the head of the wife, and Christ also is the head of the assembly, being himself the savior of the body. [24] But as the assembly is subject to Christ, so let the wives also be to their own husbands in everything. [25] Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the assembly, and gave himself up for it; [26] that he might sanctify it, having cleansed it by the washing of water with the word, [27] that he might present the assembly to himself gloriously, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish. [28] Even so ought husbands also to love their own wives as their own bodies. He who loves his own wife loves himself. [29] For no man ever hated his own flesh; but nourishes and cherishes it, even as the Lord also does the assembly; [30] because we are members of his body, of his flesh and bones.

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