12:4
In chapters 9-11 Paul has spoken about the place of Jews and Gentiles in the kingdom, and both are equal. As he says elsewhere, there is neither Jew nor Greek (Gentile). Likewise, we all have different roles within the church, the body of Christ, but we are one body. Fleshly man is always looking to divide, witness the effects of identity politics. The gospel has no place for this disunity. We are one body with many parts. That is how we need to look at the church, and at our place in the church.
12:5
We are also members of each other. I need you and you need me. My well-being is dependent upon your well-being, and vice versa. Notice that there is emphasis both on the corporate body and the individual. Individualism, i.e. an excessive focus on the individual is not Biblical, nor is it good. Nor does the individual get swallowed up in the corporate. The Bible emphasises both. Take the Old Testament, there is focus on the nation of Israel, but there is also a focus on individuals such as Moses, Abraham, David etc.
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