Note 14 at 1Co 12:27: This phrase "the body of Christ" is one of the dominant ways of referring to all true believers. In 1Co 12:27-28, the phrases "the body of Christ" and "the church" are used interchangeably (see also Col 1:24). This designates all born-again believers (see note 2 at Joh 3:3), regardless of spiritual maturity or what local church group they may or may not associate with. You cannot be a part of the body of Christ without being born again (see note 2 at Joh 3:3), and you cannot be born again without being a member of the body of Christ (see note 2 at 1Co 12:13).

This terminology is especially appropriate in describing the relationship between the individual members of Christ's church (see note 3 at 1Co 12:14). Just as Paul detailed here, there are no unimportant members of the body of Christ. It takes all of us working together as one body to manifest the complete life of Christ to this world.