This simile is used of the whole church or assembly of God in Rom. 12; 1 Cor. 10 and 12.; Eph. and Col. only; elsewhere the word “BODY” means a literal body. This body is declared to be the church (Col. 1:24) (as composed only of true believers). It is a part of Christ, who is the Head, while all Christians are members, whether Jews or Gentiles. For by the cross, out of the side of Christ (1 John 5) is this new body formed, wherein there is neither Jew nor Gentile (1 Cor. 12:13; Col. 3:11). There is one Spirit in the whole (Eph. 4; 1 Cor. 12 &c.) In Eph. 5 the type of Adam and Eve is evidently alluded to, and the Church presented as the bride, but specially as part of the man (his body). This type is used in three ways—local, general, and universal. Locally, it includes all true Christians in any one place (1 Cor. 12:27); generally, it includes all true Christians on earth at any one time (Eph. 4:12); universally, it is composed of all true believers from Pentecost to the rapture of the saints (Eph. 1:23). The body can never be mutilated, nor can any member of it be lost.