What does 1 Corinthians 12:18 Mean?

Verse Meaning

Paul again stressed God"s sovereignty in placing each member in the body as He has chosen in this verse. We need to discover how God has gifted us and to become as effective as possible where He has placed us. We should concentrate on using the abilities we have received rather than longing to be different or insisting on doing things that God has not gifted us to do (cf. 1 Corinthians 7:26-27). [source][source]

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"Whenever we begin to think about our own importance in the Christian Church, the possibility of really Christian work is gone." ^[1] [source]

Context Summary

The use of gifts must never be dictated by personal ambition or the desire for selfish gain. As every member of the physical body is united to the head by two sets of nerves, the afferent, which bring to the brain the slightest sense impressions, and the efferent, which bear to the extremities the commands of the mind, so is every member of the Church, even the feeblest and most distant, bound to his glorious Lord. The head of the swimmer is in one element-the air-and the members may be in another-the water-yet the head is able to control and co-ordinate them; so with the unseen Christ and His visible Church on earth. He must direct and use us. We have nothing to do with the work He confides to others, and must concentrate on that which He wants to achieve through us. If this means co-operation with other members or service to them; if it means hidden obscurity or temporary disuse, we must be equally content. It is for Him to do as He will. There is no room for envy or jealousy; they must give place to loving fellowship and mutual help, and the quiet peace and rest which come from recognizing the good pleasure of the Creator. [source]

Chapter Summary: 1 Corinthians 12

¹  Spiritual gifts,
⁴  are diverse,
⁷  yet to profit all
⁸  And to that end are diversely bestowed;
¹²  as the members of a natural body tend all to the mutual decency,
²²  service,
²⁶  and helpfulness of the same body;
²⁷  so we should do for one another, to make up the body of Christ