Ecclesiastical Body Building

At verse 16 Paul sums up his thought which was initiated back in verse 7. All throughout this section Paul has been arguing for the unity of the body through the efficient use of spiritual gifts. Thus far, Paul has focused almost exclusively on the role of ministers of the word as spiritual gifts which contribute to the health and wholeness of the body of Christ. Here in v16, as Paul summarizes his point, focus is placed upon two means Christ uses to build His Church: ministers who preach God's word and every individual Christian using their gifts for the edification of the body. While not spelling out in this passage, in detail, how individual members use their gifts for edifying the body of Christ, two parallel passages are considered (1Peter 4:10 and Romans 15:17) to help demonstrate how believing members contribute along with ministers of the word to the growth of the whole body. One single and simple point is made here: Christ energizes and strengthens His body through ministers and members in order that the body of Christ might build itself up in love.