SOAP BOX 25- A BODY OF CHRIST, THE BODY OF CHRIST - IS THERE A DIFFERENCE ???

There are some who make an argument that there are two 'bodies of Christ'. One is found in the pre-prison epistles of Paul, written during the Acts period. The other is said to be found only in the prison epistles of Paul, namely, Ephesians and Colossians.

Specifically, 'Body of Christ' when referring to believers having a relationship to the Lord as members of a 'church' , is found only in I Corinthians 12:27 and Ephesians 4:12.

These two references, then, become representative of all the epistles in their respective groups. There are other references that relate to Christ's physical body. Cf. Rom. 7:4 ; I Corinthians 10:16; Hebrews 10:10. ( Romans 7:1-4 might be used as an argument for stating believers are 'married' to a resurrected Christ, thus becoming one flesh with him, thus, becoming one Body with him, thus, members of his body, thus, members of the Body of Christ.)

We will focus on I Corinthians 12:27 and Ephesians 4:12.

I Corinthians 12:27 : Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular.

Ephesians 4:12 : For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ.

We shall concentrate on 'a jot and tittle' argument. That is, there is a contention that these are different 'entities' because in I Cor. 12:27, in the Greek text, there is no 'the', while in Eph. 4:12, 'the' is there in the text. Therefore, we have 'body of Christ' in I Cor. and 'the body of Christ' in Eph.

Those arguing this position, usually replace 'the' in I Cor. with an 'a'. They then try to make their case stronger by thus having a contrast between 'a body of Christ' in I Cor. 12:27 and 'the body of Christ' as found in Eph. 4:12. See, they say, there is a real difference. However, to this writer, they sound more like Jehovah's Witnesses who freely manipulate the Bible to fit their theology and position.

[The Jehovah's Witnesses are infamous for their translation John 1:1. ]
[ 'In [the] beginning the Word was, and the Word was with God. and ]
[ the Word was a god." (New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures, ]
[ Revised A.D. 1961, page 1151) ]

But it must be admitted that all three attempts to translate I Cor. 12:27 lean towards the translator's interpretive bias, leanings and/or understanding at the time of his translation.

Therefore, 'the body of Christ' , 'a body of Christ' or 'body of Christ' could be acceptable in the text of I Cor. 12:27 into the English' and, as such equivalent to 'the body of Christ' as found in Ephesians 4:12.

The Body of Christ This is an acceptable translation of this phrase from the Greek to English. The idea or concept that Paul wanted to give the Corinthians was that they were personally, doctrinally and dispensationally considered by God as identified with the Lord. The 'figure' used is the 'Body of Christ'. The Greek has 'body of Christ'. That idea or concept is not violated with the English translation, 'the body of Christ'. The Greek wants to convey the idea that the Corinthians have all the characteristics, identity and very essence of being identified as part of Christ's body in the eyes of God. 'The Body of Christ' can and/or could be acceptable, since it does impart this concept.

A Body of Christ The English translation under the Greek text in the interlinear ( that I am using) gives these very same words : "ye are A BODY OF CHRIST" This could teach that the Corinthian church is like a miniature expression or entity of the concept of "Body of Christ" in the city of Corinth, just as every church in every place is a representative of and a testimony to the Lord Jesus Christ. This would be also like the idea and concept in I Corinthians 3:16-7 ; 6:15-20 ; Eph. 2:20-22. In these verses we have the concept that the believer is a 'temple' where the Holy Spirit dwells. We also have the concept that the 'church' or the entire group of believers in a community or city are to be considered as a 'temple' where the Holy Spirit dwells. Finally, we have the concept of all believers from all local congregations, churches and groups identified as being considered as a 'temple' where the Holy Spirit dwells. Therefore, an individual, a church and the entire membership of the Body of Christ can have the word 'temple' as a concept that portrays a relationship with the Holy Spirit having a dwelling in each.

However, the basic thought that is meant to be transferred from the mind of Paul to the minds of the Corinthians is that as 'a Body of Christ' , they have all that is needed or required to be able to stand before God as having all the merits of the very Son of God.

Body of Christ The Greek text ( Body of Christ ) translated into the English in a word-for-word translation ( as Body of Christ ) does honor and justice to the Greek original. As above, Paul's intent is to teach the Corinthians that they have a standing before God ( as Body of Christ ) that has the meaning that they have all the qualities, characteristics and essence to be identified before God as if they were indeed, Christ Himself. When God sees his Son, He sees the people identified as being in Him. When God sees the believer, He sees His Son.

There certainly are two 'bodies of Christ'. One is the physical, incarnate body of the Lord. The other is that group of believers who are identified as part of Christ himself, and expressed in the figure of the Body of Christ ( which is not unique to the epistles of Ephesians and Colossians).

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