CHAP. IV. VER. 7. O11

V. 7. This unity of the church, although it mvolves the essential equality of all believers, is still consistent with great diversity as to gifts, influence, and honour. According to the apostle’s favourite illustration, it is like the human body, which is composed of many members with different functions. It is not all eye nor allear. This diversity of gifts is not only consistent with unity, but is essential to it. The body is not one mem- ber but many. In every organism a diversity of parts is necessary to the unity of the whole. If all were one member, asks the apostle, where were the body ? Summa praesentis loci est, says Calvin, quod Deus in neminem omnia contulerit; sed quisque certam mensu- ram receperit; ut alii aliis indigeant et in commune conferendo quod singulis datum est, alii alios mutuo juvent. The position, moreover, of each member in the body, is not determined by itself, but by God. The eye does not make itself the eye, nor the ear, the ear. It is thus in the church. The different positions, gifts, and functions of its members, are determined not by them- selves but by Christ. ΑἹ] this is taught by the apostle when he says, “ But (i.e. notwithstanding the unity of the church) unto every one of us is given grace, accord- ing to the measure of the gift of Christ.” There is this diversity of gifts, and the distribution of these gifts is in the hand of Christ. The grace here spoken of in- cludes the inward spiritual gift, and the influence, function or office, as the case might be, flowing from it. Some were apostles, some prophets, some evan- gelists. The grace which made them such, was the inward gift and the outward office.