The passage as a whole functions as an explanation by way of illustration (cf.

gavr in 12:12)
for Paul's argument that it is one and the same Spirit who sponsors a diversity of gifts (12:411).28 The passage constitutes an extended image from 12:12 until 12:27 concerning the
human body and Christ's body which is the church. There are two distinct divisions in the
text. First, vv. 12-19 focus on the fact that the body of Christ is made up of many parts, not
one. Second, vv. 20-27 focus on the fact that while the body has many parts it is still
nonetheless only one body. The first three verses (12:12-14) give the theological basis for the
body imagery as found throughout the rest of the section.

The contribution of this section to Paul's argument is to affirm, against the arrogance and
self-centeredness of many of the Corinthians, that all members of the body are needed and
that despite whether the "weaker" members are convinced of their place, or whether the
"stronger" members are not convinced of the weaker person's place in the body, God is the
One who has placed all the members in the body and who works with them so that there
might be no divisions. The Corinthian tongues speakers ought to remember this point.