Definition: But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him.

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this really important verse from 1 Corinthians 12:18. It's a pretty profound statement about how we’re structured and how our church works! Here’s what it means in simple terms: Think of it like this: Imagine a body – your body is made up of many different parts, right? Like your arms, legs, head, and so on. Each part has a job, and they all work together to keep you healthy and functioning. Now, let’s apply that to the church: The "body" of the church (the whole community of believers) is made up of different people – different gifts, talents, abilities, and roles. The verse says: “But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him.” Here’s what that means: “Members every one of them” : This means each person in the church – whether a pastor, a teacher, a musician, a baker, a helper, or someone else – has a specific role and responsibility within the community. They're not just randomly thrown into everything; they’ve been chosen and given a place. “As it hath pleased him” : This is a really important part! It means that God wants each person to be in their assigned position. He has ordained (given permission) these roles for the good of the whole community. It’s like He's putting them there because it's right and beautiful for Him. So, the overall message is: We are all part of a bigger team – a church – and God has given us specific jobs and responsibilities within that team. Each person plays a vital piece in making the whole thing strong and effective. In short, it's saying that we’re not just random individuals; we have unique gifts and talents that are valuable because they're part of a larger, purposeful community. --- Do you want me to: Explain this verse in more detail? Give you some examples of different roles within the church (like teaching, music, or helping)?