Note 14 at 1 Cor. 12:27: This phrase "the body of Christ" is one of the dominant ways of referring to all true believers. In verses 27 and 28, the term "the body of Christ" and "the church" are used interchangeably (also Col. 1:24). This designates all born-again believers (see note 2 at Jn. 3:3, p. 92) 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 Jn. 3:3, p. 92) and you cannot be born again without being a member of the body of Christ (see note 2 at 1 Cor. 12:13, p. 932).

This terminology is especially appropriate in describing the relationship between the individual members of Christ's church (see note 3 at 1 Cor. 12:14, p. 932). Just as Paul details 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.