What does it mean that the church is the body of Christ?

from the old testament

• The Old Testament provides foundational truths that help us understand what it means that the church is the body of Christ by offering images, patterns, and prophecies that anticipate this New Testament reality. For example, in the tabernacle and temple, God made His presence known among His people (Exodus 25:8; 1 Kings 8:10–11), foreshadowing how Christ now dwells in His body, the church, through the Holy Spirit.
• Israel was called a holy nation and kingdom of priests (Exodus 19:6), showing that God’s people were meant to function as a unified, covenantal community under His leadership.
• God's covenant united Israel in identity and mission (Deuteronomy 7:6–8), which parallels how the church is united in Christ under the New Covenant.
• While the phrase “body of Christ” is New Testament language, the Old Testament uses corporate imagery—like the anointing of Aaron in Psalm 133—to illustrate the beauty of unity among God’s people.
• In Ezekiel 37, God breathes life into dry bones, forming one living body, symbolizing the restoration and unity of His people—anticipating the Spirit-filled church.
• The prophets foretold a coming King and Shepherd (Isaiah 9:6–7; Ezekiel 34:23–24), a role Jesus fulfills as the head of His body, the church (see Colossians 1:18).

from the new testament

• The concept of the "body of Christ" is often used in the New Testament to refer to the church. The exact phrase "body of Christ" is used three times in the Bible (1 Corinthians 10:16; 1 Corinthians 12:27; Ephesians 4:12).
• First Corinthians 10:16 states, "The cup of blessing that we bless, is it not a participation in the blood of Christ? The bread that we break, is it not a participation in the body of Christ?" Here, the phrase is used in literal reference to Christ's actual body that is remembered in communion.
• First Corinthians 12:21–31 speaks of each member of the church serving as individual parts of the body of Christ, symbolically sharing that some are like an ear, or some are like an eye. All of the parts of the body are important for the church to function in a healthy manner, and all the parts work together in such a way that one part impacts all the others. When one part hurts, the rest of the body feels the hurt. When one part of the body rejoices, the entire body can rejoice.
• First Corinthians 12:27 again affirms, "Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it." Each Christian serves as one part of Christ's body. We need one another, work together with one another, and impact one another through our actions.
• Ephesians 1:22–23 also mentions the church as Christ's body: "And he put all things under his feet and gave him as head over all things to the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all." Christ is the head of the church.
• Ephesians 4:11–12 teaches that God gave various gifts and offices to the church “for building up the body of Christ." The church's leaders exist to help strengthen the members of the church, developing them to full maturity that glorifies the Lord.
• Again, we see that Christ is the head of the body (the church), and “when each part is working properly, [it] makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love" (Ephesians 4: 16). When the members of the body work together properly, love is expressed, and Christ is reflected.

implications for today

The body of Christ is a beautiful portrayal of how God designed the church to function in unity, love, and purpose under the leadership of Jesus. It reminds us that our faith is not lived out in isolation—we are joined together, each with a role to play in building up the whole. Just as a physical body is made up of many parts—hands, feet, eyes, ears—each with a unique role that contributes to the health of the whole, so each believer has a specific role and gift that supports and strengthens the church. The body depends on coordination, connection, and care—if one part suffers, the whole body feels it; if one part thrives, the whole body benefits.

The image of the body of Christ is powerful because it highlights both our dependence on one another and our shared direction under Christ, the Head, who gives purpose, guidance, and life. When we serve, encourage, forgive, speak truth, or extend mercy, we show what it means to be His hands and feet, bringing His grace to the world and building one another up in love. We are saved individually, but our Christian faith was never meant to be experienced alone. Instead, we are called to be committed to community, even when it's messy, knowing that Christ is glorified when His people work together as a body.