What new meaning does Paul give to the word church in 1 Corinthians 12?
In 1 Corinthians 12, Paul gives the word church a new connotation: the called-out assembly is specifically Christ's body. While it remains the same Greek word Ecclesia, Paul identifies the church as His body, with Christ as head in heaven and believers as its members.
Les explains that in Paul's writings the called-out assembly is usually called the church, but in 1 Corinthians 12 it carries a new connotation: the church which is His body, or the body which is the church. Even though it is the same Greek word Ecclesia, this called-out assembly now has its Head in heaven, and believers are the body. Les contrasts this with Peter in Acts, who makes no mention that Christ is the head of this called-out assembly or that they are part of Him. He stresses that it is important to see what Scripture does not say as well as what it does say. In 1 Corinthians 12:12, Paul uses the human body with many members to illustrate that the many members are one body, so also is Christ, and this is the Church which is His body.