What is the role of the head and mind in Paul's human-body analogy in 1 Corinthians 12?
In Paul’s human-body analogy, the head and mind serve as the body’s headquarters and core: everything a person says, thinks, or does originates there, and the nerve endings and whole body respond. Paul uses this illustration for the Body of Christ, a new Pauline revelation, to show believers as members of one functioning body.
Les explains that Paul is simply using the human body as an illustration. He points to the central nervous system and the mind as the very core of our being, saying that everything we say, think, or do originates in the head, in the mind. As a result, the nerve endings respond and the whole body functions, but it all has its headquarters up there. Paul uses that as an illustration of the Body of Christ, which is a new term and a Pauline revelation, not something found back in the Gospels. He then notes that we have many members—fingers, toes, eyes, ears, arms, legs—but not twenty bodies; we have one body, and they are all part and parcel of Him. Every believer around the world, regardless of color or denominational handle, if they are a believer, is included.