What new connotation does Paul give to the word church in 1 Corinthians 12?
In 1 Corinthians 12, Paul gives the word church the new connotation of the church which is His body, or the body which is the church. Although it remains the same Greek word Ecclesia and a called-out assembly, this assembly has Christ as its head in heaven, and believers are His body.
Les explains that 1 Corinthians 12 introduces a new connotation for the church. It is not merely a called-out assembly; in Paul’s writings it is specifically the church which is His body, or the body which is the church. Even though it is the same Greek word Ecclesia and the church today is still a called-out assembly, this assembly’s head is in heaven as the head of the body, and believers are the body. Les notes this is a big difference: Peter in Acts does not teach that Christ is the head of this called-out assembly or that they are part of Him. In 1 Corinthians 12:12 Paul uses the human body—one body with many members—to illustrate that the many members are one body, so also is Christ, speaking of the Church which is His body.