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. Eph 4:16
That their hearts might be comforted, being knit together in love, and unto all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the acknowledgement of the mystery of God, and of the Father, and of Christ; Col. 2:2,
And not holding the Head, from which all the body by joints and bands having nourishment ministered, and knit together, increaseth with the increase of God. Col. 2:19
At first thought about the illustration of the body of Christ, a picture of a human body appears. Starting with a neck, upper body, mid section, left and right arm with legs, each symbolically registers as the appropriate animation for the body of Christ. The idea to list sections of the human body appears more useful even though a body is what is visualized.
In Ephesians 4 and Colossians 2, the typology of the human body is used to paint a picture of Christian’s relationship towards each other and toward the Godhead.
Christians or members have individuality and uniqueness in the church but are universally connected. This connection is manifested through a central belief that each one professes. As Christians, faith in Jesus Christ and the Godhead places each in new family of love. Through faith and love, each believer becomes connected to the Godhead. In response, God gives grace (unmerited divine assistance) and Jesus gives gifts (spiritual gifts) to each believer and places them in the church. The church is called the body of Christ. Christ is the head of this body. All believers are a part of Christ’s body. It is in this body that believers and their uniqueness are to function. Like moving parts of the body have joints and move according to the command of the head (brain), it is the coming together of the unique members that form the body of Christ. Those members united in love form joints in which Christ then nourishes and supplies for growth into a holy temple unto God.
