The thumb goes unrecognized, though a vital part of daily life. Opposing thumbs allow humans to accomplish things that animals cannot. The ability to grip a hammer, an artist’s brush, play a musical instrument, and hold another’s hand as we stroll a romantic path is all made possible because of opposing thumbs. We take our thumbs for granted. Until the pain from a paper cut on the thumb awakens us to the importance of what was indispensable yet without honor.
Addressing the divisions in the Corinthian congregation induced by pride in spiritual gifts, Apostle Paul continues to use the analogy of the human body and all its organs, parts, and pieces (25). God made each part of the body dependent on the other parts, both the human body and the body of Christ (21).
The seemingly weaker parts are indispensable (22), like the thumbs. The seemingly less honorable parts we treat with special honor (23a), like our digestive organs. I sure do not like getting food poisoning. I would rather throw away expensive, rotten food than spend a night of agony.
The unpresentable parts are treated with special modesty (23b). Clothing is a human constant since Adam and Eve’s guilty conscience. Blushing is a common human trait regardless of culture, race, and time and place of birth, until the conscience is burned by continual sin. Our presentable parts need no special treatment. True human nature does not cover the face throughout human history unless forced upon it by another.
Paul’s point concerning “no division in the body” and “equal concern for each other” is summed up in verse 26. “If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it.” When a believer causes a fellow believer to suffer in any way, then they are bringing suffering on themselves and the whole church. Will not Christ deal with such a sin?
