12:241 Corinthians 12:24

God Himself joined and arranged the body together, giving more abundant honor to the part that lacked while the comely parts have no need.Ms 128, 1901, par. 8–9+2 The figure is the church of God, made to prevent division, where varied members live in unseen indivisible unity, depend on one another, suffer and rejoice together, and care for one another with one common interest.Ms 128, 1901, par. 8–9+4 Christ is the Head, center and source of life, in whom the members are centered, joined to Him and to one another, and made dependent on God.11MR 276.1+2 Gifts and offices are dispensed by God as He pleases for the good of the whole, so every member is needed, none is unnecessary, and no one may despise, envy, or say to another doing a different work that he is not needed.Ms 128, 1901, par. 8–9+4 The honor to the lacking part means the weak and injured are to be given the best place and care until restored, and in the work this joins gospel ministry as the body to medical missionary work as the hand and arm, neither to stand alone nor to be separated.CH 557.2+4

God Himself joined, tempered, arranged and put the members of Christ's body together, giving more abundant and greater honor to the part that lacked while the comely parts have no need.Ms 128, 1901, par. 8–9+4 This joining means members with different gifts, roles and offices belong together in one body so that there will be no division but mutual care, none is to be treated as unnecessary or needless, and no gift is to be measured against another's.Ms 128, 1901, par. 8–9+2 Among the members there is to be no self-sufficiency, no saying to another doing a different work that he is not needed, and no crowding, judging, pride or rivalry.Ms 128, 1901, par. 8–9+1 The same tempering is for the unity and perfection of the church so that no member rules over another, and church office is simple organization and order for leadership, counsel, help, burden-bearing and thanksgiving, not kingly authority to order and command, with all as brethren under the Lord over His heritage treating fellow laborers with the consideration they would wish to receive.Lt 178, 1909, par. 14–16 The chapter holding this teaching is to be committed to memory, written in mind and heart, studied, digested and applied, not ignored, and those brought together in church capacity are to be united understandingly and intelligently, walking humbly with God in obedience.Ms 82, 1898, par. 31–33

The human body from head to feet, from eyes to feet, illustrates the joining, with varied parts in unseen, conscious, indivisible unity depending on one another to make a perfect whole.5MR 361.4–362.1+4 All act harmoniously in obedience to the laws controlling the being, each part working in harmony with every other, connected together and the whole to God, with reciprocal action and mutual relation so that nothing is independent and none can be dropped out without affecting the whole.5MR 361.4–362.1+3 Variety was God's choice instead of uniformity, and variety adds to perfection, grace and distinctive beauty rather than diminishing it.5MR 361.4–362.1+2 The more believers drink in of the Spirit the more they are made alive and united by His surpassing love, drawing spiritual supply from the same storehouse, worked by the same Spirit, bought by the same blood, belonging to the same owner and feeding on the same flesh and blood of the Son of God.5MR 361.4–362.1+1 In creating Adam and Eve as parents of all, God designed each human being to stand related to the rest as part of the web of humanity, tempering humanity together as different parts of one great whole under mutual obligations where it is impossible to live to self.5MR 369.1+1

Christ is the Head, center, source of life and efficiency, and the different members from head to feet with different offices and gifts by the same Spirit are all of one body centered in Him, joined to Him and to one another and dependent on God as the one great Center.11MR 276.1+4 Diversity of gifts and operations by the same Spirit is God's economy to meet varied organizations and minds in the world, so the strength of one servant is not the strength of another and each keeps independent natural traits that give access to a class others cannot touch.11MR 277.2–4+1 Therefore each must be left free to act out and develop the endowed powers and qualities, to cultivate the given gifts to become a more efficient laborer while united with fellow laborers, with no too much governing, bending of minds to one man's ideas, molding of judgment and character to self, or destroying of will and identity, but freedom for God to convict the heart, call forth powers and develop individual strength and experience for a special work.11MR 277.2–4+1 In individual self no one is the whole body but only a part and one member, able to do nothing of himself without the power and Spirit of God, and connection with Christ involves connection with His church organized for service, where joining the church is one of the first steps in service, loyalty demands faithful performance of church duties as training, and a church filled with Christ's life leads directly to effort for the world outside.Ms 171, 1903, par. 8+1

As thus joined, the disciples are living members mutually joined, united and mutually dependent, so that if one member suffers all suffer with it and if one is honored all are honored and rejoice with him.Lt 307, 1903, par. 4–6+1 Members in church capacity each have a distinctive place to act a part as hand, head, ear, eye or limbs, not to antagonize one another but to be one as Christ is one with the Father, with Bible religion and Christlikeness blending every quality in harmonious proportions into a symmetrical whole without exalting one virtue at the expense of another.Lt 109, 1893, par. 27 Separation from those whose interests were once united in fellowship can feel as painful as tearing off a limb, expressing how closely the members are joined.Lt 13, 1869, par. 23–24

The honor given to the lacking part means special honor and care for those who lack strength or standing, so that a weak, injured or lacking limb is not to be cut off in haste but to be saved by every available means until restored and none of it is lost.Ms 157, 1899, par. 2+2 The lacking part is to be put in the best place and given the very best care and treatment, with faithful helpers working under wise direction, since cutting off what patient care could save is a fearful mistake leaving a person crippled for life with usefulness damaged.Lt 162, 1902, par. 1–2 The weakest believer who trusts in Christ belongs to His body and through humble dependence on God can grow strong, with the courage and faith of the whole church strengthening and sustaining each member, and believers complete only in Christ.Ms 157, 1899, par. 2+1 Applied to work among Black people in the Southern States, this joining supports educating and developing gifted Black men and women as laborers for their own communities, with God cooperating with them.9T 202.1–2

The figure of members tempered together into one body represents the church of God and the relation its members are to sustain to one another, for God Himself has joined and arranged them with different gifts and roles and has given greater honor to the part that lacked so that there will be no division but mutual care.Ms 128, 1901, par. 8–9+3 None is to be treated as needless or less important, and no gift is to be measured against another's, but those brought together in church capacity are to be united understandingly and intelligently, walking humbly with God in obedience with one common interest.Ms 128, 1901, par. 8–9+2 There is no reason for strife over who shall be greatest, just as there is no strife among bodily members over which is greatest, but all are to cooperate with Christ in restoring the moral image of God in man, each working out his own salvation and the salvation of family and associates, since disregard of this responsibility leaves no place in the redeemed family.Lt 57, 1902, par. 7–10 The chapter is to be committed to memory, written in mind and heart, studied and digested and not ignored.Ms 82, 1898, par. 31–33

No member can disconnect from the appointed agencies and work on an independent line in supposed wisdom and still succeed, even while flattering himself that he is doing God's work, for every member must stay united to the body each working in his own place and capacity like-minded with God in purity, holiness and sincerity and not shut up to self to live for self.RCOC 70.2+3 Varied gifts and work are united under Christ with no part exalting itself or acting as though it can do the whole work alone, but as living members mutually joined and mutually dependent under Christ the living head, so that none can separate or say to another that it has no need of it.Ms 165, 1899, par. 58–60+1 No work or institution belonging to Christ can rightly declare itself undenominational and independent of His chosen people, and no member is to separate to act independently or live only for itself.Lt 307, 1903, par. 4–6+1 All believers are parts of one great whole tempered together by God, so it is not safe to work alone on independent lines, but hearts are to be humbled before the Lord and built on the solid Rock in unity of purpose and action, as was urged for the brethren beginning work in the new conference in southern California.Ms 90, 1901, par. 23

Unity requires remaining united to the body with each worker in his appointed station with his own office and place, working in unity under the sanctified intelligence governing the whole and in concert with the others under the one Spirit while remaining distinct in action.4T 16.1+4 Each part is to be respected, encouraged and sustained with due respect and recognition to fellow workers, leaving no room for envy, evil thinking, evil speaking or evil acting, but speaking the truth in love and working steadily with no fitful, spasmodic movements while exercising every gift for the benefit of the whole.Ms 158, 1898, par. 22 As usefulness of the body is increased by harmonious energy and action and by sympathy of every part with the whole, so the church is strengthened by well-regulated action of every part owed to God who has given to every man his work, each carrying out its role in harmony with the whole under sanctified direction.Ms 158, 1898, par. 22+1 Members are thus to form one united, well-ordered body with each performing its own work in harmony with the whole.Ms 135, 1901, par. 57+1

Churches and conferences cherish reciprocal dependence by God's tempering of the body together, and separating from conference organization to show supposed efficiency is entirely opposed to God's order.Ms 97, 1901, par. 31–33 The binding together is a sacred chain of dependence, not slavery, learned in perfect unity and love from Jesus by building one another up in the most holy faith and seeking the Holy Spirit so light is reflected in clear, bright rays.Ms 97, 1901, par. 31–33 Breaking it by letting the enemy bring in evil thinking, evil speaking, discord and separation robs families of happiness, robs the church of usefulness, and prevents the great and blessed work of reformation.Ms 97, 1901, par. 31–33 Every phase of present work has importance and must stay firmly united with the body of commandment-keeping people, with no one breaking the coupling pin that joins his work to the body, for what may seem of little value means a great deal and this union is given for the safety of those being educated and trained not to break away.Lt 126, 1898, par. 19

Physical health is promoted by harmonious action of all parts of the body, and so spiritual peace and harmony under the Holy Spirit's influence bring health to the church as members unite part acting in harmony with part.Lt 49, 1904, par. 22+1 Striving for peace and unity fulfills Christ's purpose that His disciples be made perfect in one, and the glory of God is reflected from those who labor in love and unity in Christian fellowship.Lt 49, 1904, par. 22+1 Those who are members of Christ's body must act in harmonious action together, for efficiency of the Lord's work depends on this harmony with each doing the entrusted work of blessing and comforting those of like precious faith, being a light by example and responding to Jesus giving His life with cheerful service.Lt 24, 1895, par. 18

God gives His gifts as He pleases, one gift to one person and another gift to another for the good of the whole body, appointing some to serve in one line of work and others in other lines of work, including teaching others to fit them for service, all under the same Spirit as His order and economy to meet the varied organizations and minds in the world.11MR 277.2–4+4 As He Himself tempered the body together like a human body from head to feet, the different members have different offices and operations yet are all of one body centered in Christ the Head.11MR 277.2–4+1 The strength of one servant of God is not the strength of another, and each keeps independent natural traits that give access to a class others cannot touch, so each must be left free for God to convict and operate upon the heart, to act out and develop the endowed powers and qualities, to call forth powers and develop individual strength and experience for a special work, and to cultivate the given gifts to become a more efficient laborer while united with fellow laborers, without will and identity being destroyed by too much governing, too much direction, bending other minds to one's own ideas, or molding judgment and character to oneself.11MR 277.2–4+1 Different talents are given to men and women on purpose so that one supplies the need of the other, and workers help one another in doing their different duties and fully finishing the work God calls them to do, which happens only by following Christ with fidelity, praying and believing and following the Lord's directions, bringing perfect use of talents to prepare a people to meet their Lord.19MR 264.2

God has arranged the members of Christ's church as parts of one body and gives greater honor to members that might otherwise receive less, joining the different members into a whole to unite them in mutual care rather than division.Ms 128, 1901, par. 8–9+2 The members have different roles and functions, with head, eye, ear, arms, limbs and from hand or foot each doing its share, but none is unnecessary and not one is to be considered unnecessary and crowded out, and each is needed, should not regard another as inferior or unnecessary, and should be respected for its contribution.AA 317.2+4 Even service represented by the hand or foot is valuable though it is lowly, and different gifts are needed for the work so believers must not reject a fellow worker because that person serves in a different way.5T 279.2+1 The worth of service depends not on the size of the work but on the love and motive behind it, and members should work together in harmony under Christ's guidance rather than rely on human wisdom, which leads to discord and failure.5T 279.2+1 The human channel through whom God works is not to be exalted and praised, for God Himself accomplishes the work and all exaltation is to be given to God, and the one who works in meekness and the lowliness of Christ hides in Jesus and lets Christ appear and be exalted and thus becomes an object lesson, while tests bravely borne teach others as well as himself and each has his part to act in school capacity, and the Lord Jesus will not sustain self-sufficiency, self-seeking and self-uplifting, which is the test for all.Ms 115, 1898, par. 13

No member is to be self-sufficient or to say to another member who does a different work that he is not needed, and no member is complete in itself since no one person has every qualification needed for God's work.11MR 276.1 Believers should not despise or diminish another's gifts or envy greater talents, but should honor God by faithfully using their own abilities, with thankfulness that the Lord accepts everyone who manifests repentance toward God and faith in Jesus Christ.Lt 67, 1903, par. 16 Recognizing God's plan guards against and is a safeguard against carnal emulation, pride, envy and contempt of one another, and it strengthens unity and mutual love.Lt 60, 1907, par. 10+1 Among the members there is to be no crowding, no judging, no measuring of one gift by another, and no placing bars in the way of any soul that would keep him from having courage to engage in the good warfare against Satan's temptations.11MR 276.1+1 Instead of criticizing one another, each one is to deal sternly with self, examine peculiar temperament and weaknesses of character with closest introspection, and deal decidedly and bravely with perverse disposition so that God is not dishonored.Lt 67, 1903, par. 16

God Himself tempered the body of the church together, joining many members with peculiar characteristics into one family under one Mind and holding them in an unseen, indivisible unity with each part working in harmony with every other.Lt 53, 1900, par. 9–12+1 Different styles, viewpoints, and ways of presenting and expressing the same truth are appointed by God and add to the beauty and perfection of the whole, as many stones with different light make one breastplate, and the same thought impressed by the Creator may be expressed in different ways without contradiction, as sunlight gives different objects a different hue.Lt 53, 1900, par. 9–12 Inspiration works through the development of each mind without cramping it into a set mold, and difference in presentation should not perplex or confuse, nor be made a virtue or a ground for selfishness and self-exaltation, for all draw spiritual supplies from the same storehouse and are wholly dependent on God, and those who differ in manner may be just as precious in His sight.Lt 53, 1900, par. 9–12 Diversity of minds, gifts, and ways of presenting truth does not divide but unites to form one whole, with different testimonies combining as one, since all are worked by the same Spirit, are bought by the same blood, belong to the same owner, and feed on the same flesh and blood of the Son of God.8MR 66.2–69.3 This requires keeping individuality without selfishness, self-exaltation, or striving for originality, dwelling on points of agreement, loving as brethren of the same family, being pitiful and courteous, and acting in harmony when the same vitalizing current flows through all.8MR 66.2–69.3 Variety from the eyes to the feet makes a perfectly whole body in harmonious action in conformity to the laws controlling it, for life objects to uniformity and variety adds to perfection, grace and distinctive beauty, so different workers with their own individuality may go over the same truth and history in different styles, figures, expressions and experiences, broadening and deepening the knowledge brought out to meet the necessities of varied minds, without contradiction or confusion, united to form one whole as Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, Acts and the Epistles are brought together in one Book, all under the controlling influence and direction of the Holy Spirit.Lt 53, 1900, par. 1–8

The fitting together of the body and the giving of greater honor to the part that lacks it is seen when people with different qualities whose gifts complement one another unite, as Melancthon's gentleness, caution and exactness complemented Luther's courage and energy, and their united work strengthened the Reformation.GC88 134.2

God has joined the members of Christ's body together so that what is lacking in one is supplied by another, and no one is equipped to carry the work alone.5MR 368.2–3+3 Those with different abilities, experience, minds and gifts are to counsel and assist one another, unite human weakness to Christ's strength, and become one with one another in Him.5MR 368.2–3+3 The members have different functions yet each is needed and none is to be regarded as inferior or unnecessary, but respected for its contribution, with personal methods or peculiarities never treated as reason to separate when work is not alike.4T 127.4–128.1+2 This mutual dependence requires mutual counsel, confidence, and willingness to teach and learn from fellow workers.5MR 368.2–3+2

The verse is God's message about the course to pursue when coming together for counsel: the Lord shows unceasing tenderness and desires the same tenderness revealed in dealing with one another.Ms 141, 1902, par. 18–19 Genuine Christians true to faith and duty are not to stand apart in self-confidence watching to criticize and condemn, but to unite in service, speak good words to help and strengthen brethren, and jealously guard one another's interests even when mistakes are made.Ms 141, 1902, par. 18–19+1 God has arranged the church as one body and gives special honor and care to members who might otherwise be overlooked, calling believers to care for one another's interests and to practice hospitality and loving service in mutual concern.Ms 14, 1899, par. 16–17+1 The body is spiritually alive when each member does its particular share, including caring for the lame, sick and dependent, showing Christlike sympathy and kindly interest, helping fellow workers and rejoicing in their good so that sanctifying grace bears fruit.Ms 100, 1900, par. 1–3+2 Differences in strength and need join people in mutual dependence where each needs others, one person's weakness can become strength for all, and contact with one another brings kindness, sympathy, polish and refinement.MH 495.3

Each has a task and a part of the Lord's work suited to capacity, and no member is meant to be idle or to separate to work independently.4T 454.1+1 Steady effort in one's proper place develops greater usefulness and fruitfulness, while demanding greater responsibility and honor while neglecting smaller duties reverses God's arrangement.4T 454.1+1 Members whose gifts seem small are not to be overlooked, for God can use them to advance His cause, and each person should be encouraged, trained and developed in the gift entrusted to them rather than left without purpose.6MR 107.3–108.1+2 Leaders should plan so every member has a part according to ability, for when all gifts are put to work the church becomes active and fruitful, but neglected abilities leave members open to misuse for other purposes.SBAWP 26.1–27.1 Different kinds of service are all necessary, so mental and physical work are both essential and not to be ranked against each other, and differences in ability, character and suitability for tasks do not make anyone faithless or without worth, though others may offer counsel without dictating duty against conviction.6MR 107.3–108.1+2

All are closely related, necessary to one another, and dependent on God as the one great Center, tempered together as different parts of one great whole in unity in diversity.RH May 13, 1909+2 Through Christ God has given an influence binding men to God and to the whole human family, so it is impossible to live to self or to work successfully in independence.RH May 13, 1909+1 Each has something to receive and something to impart under mutual obligations that remain even when ignored or abused, with talents entrusted under God's supervision to be improved and increased by unselfish service that helps others walk in the path of right and ministers to the perfection of the whole.RH May 13, 1909+2 Each person is a member of a greater whole joined in bonds that cannot be broken even when ignored, individual parts of a mighty whole bound by love and laid under obligation to work for fellow men, with no soul independent of the rest and no party strife, schism, partition walls, or mingling with political questions, but reconciliation where the well-being of each is the happiness of the whole.Lt 16, 1885, par. 7+2 Failing to understand this relation harms character and becomes a snare to others, while each person's influence affects others and spreads onward, and love centered on Jesus directs affection to its proper object and lets it flow freely and safely in purity, impartiality, nobility, meekness, lowliness, goodness, patience and love as channels of blessing.Lt 16, 1885, par. 7+3

Ministers who labor in weariness under discouraging circumstances in hard fields with slow progress, and those of a different nature doing a work others cannot do, are the lacking part to whom more abundant honor is to be given.19MR 7.3–9.1 They must be sustained and stimulated to earnest work with sympathy, consideration, encouragement and elbow room to act themselves and exercise their own powers.19MR 7.3–9.1 They are not to be envied, left without sympathy, or pressed to become exactly like others in mind and ideas.19MR 7.3–9.1

The gospel ministry is the body and medical missionary work with health reform is the hand, arm and right hand joined to the body, and neither is to stand alone nor to be separated. CH 557.2+4 God Himself joined, tempered and arranged the parts with distinct roles under Christ the Head, giving greater and more abundant honor to the part that lacked, so ministry of the Word and medical work must work together in united action. CH 557.2+4 The ministry holds the very first place among human agencies and gives direction, while medical missionary work is the working hand and arm, not the body itself or the all-important work. 8T 160.1–161.1+2 To conduct it independently and disparage the ministry is to separate the arms from the body, producing hands and flying arms dispensing means without direction of the head. 6T 288.2+2

The body must direct the arm, not the arm the body, for making medical work the whole body, all and in all, or exalting it above the ministry reverses God's order. Ms 178, 1899, par. 10–14+4 That reversal turns the proper relation upside down, making the arm everything and the body nothing, and becomes a great barrier to the true work of preparing a people to stand in the great day of God. Lt 249, 1899, par. 3+2 The result is unbalanced, disproportionate work that unsettles minds and brings confusion, leaves many portions of the vineyard unworked, consumes means needed in other lines, saps life and force from the ministry, and becomes a disorganized medley that consumes but does not produce. 6T 288.2+2 This letting the arm rule the body and absorb everything meant to carry the last message to the world comes from ambition and selfishness, dishonors God, and began about 1893 and increased. Ms 178, 1899, par. 10–14+2

The right hand opens doors through which the body may find entrance and largely prepares the way for reception of present truth by breaking down prejudice. Lt 54, 1903, par. 12–13+2 A body without hands is useless and without them can do nothing, so a body that treats the right hand indifferently and refuses its aid is able to accomplish nothing. Lt 50, 1908, par. 9+2 Therefore medical missionary work as the arm and right hand is to be given oneness of respect with the rest of the work and a decided interest, and must not be treated disrespectfully or with lack of interest. 8T 166.4+3 Yet it is not right for all the strength of the body to go into a hand, so all strength must not be used in medical missionary work alone, and the ministry of the Word must be sustained and not weakened. Lt 50, 1908, par. 9+2

Ministry and medical work must blend in inseparable union, with neither to stand alone bound up in itself, for by the ministry of the Word the gospel is preached and by medical missionary work the gospel is practiced. Lt 54, 1903, par. 12–13+2 Publications containing present truth are God's agencies with them for impressing hearts, made effectual by faith as the Holy Spirit sends truth home to those who hear and read with earnest desire to know what is right, and students are to be educated to minister to spiritual and physical needs. Lt 54, 1903, par. 12–13+1 Preaching and church-raising work is not to be dropped to make everything of medical work, but the two are to go hand in hand and work both ways, moving solidly together with tent labor and preaching joined to health work and cooking schools in every city and every place where a church is established to create confidence and interest and leave something solid behind. Lt 54, 1903, par. 12–13+2 When worked in this balanced, symmetrical way in every line and not in one or two lines alone, new solid churches are established that pay tithe, money comes into the conference to send ministers to other places, means and planting spread to many places for a worldwide message, and every part of the large vineyard produces fruit. Lt 54, 1903, par. 12–13+2

Tithes of workers in medical lines are not to be separated from the conference to go to a separate medical association, but all tithes are to go to one treasury with no division but one united interest laboring to one end. Ms 103a, 1899, par. 33 The conference is then to be liberal in sending ministers to work in connection with the medical work. Ms 103a, 1899, par. 33

The same body principle joins other branches, for no branch of gospel work separated from the others can be a perfect whole, and health reform as part of present truth must not be separated from the wider work. 21MR 56.2–3+3 The General Conference work, the publishing work, and the sanitarium work are equal branches governed by the same principles, with no part ruling over the rest, no kingly power as once exercised at Battle Creek, and no publishing institution as a kingdom by itself. 21MR 56.2–3+2 Publishing houses by which truth is given to the world, sanitariums for restoration of the sick and relief of suffering, and schools where children and youth are trained for God are all sacred to His service and part of His great plan, with no walls of partition between different lines, no territorial lines, and no pushing one line forward to the hindrance of another. 21MR 56.2–3+2 The life and health of the whole body flows into each enterprise as branch and arm, so a healthy church sends a vitalizing current to its arms, controls them in the counsel of God and diffuses light to keep out error, while a sickly church circulates a sickly, deathly influence until moral darkness and spiritual death appear everywhere. 21MR 56.2–3+2

Medical missionary work belongs within the larger work as a hand belongs to the body and must not displace the third angel's message, which is to remain first and leading as the gospel message for the last days. Ms 167, 1899, par. 19–22+3 The ministry is needed to give prominence and stability to the medical missionary work, and the ministry needs the medical missionary work to demonstrate the practical working of the gospel, with each needing the other and no one line exalted above another. Ms 167, 1899, par. 19–22+2 Labor for the degraded and fallen is to be done but not made the principal and all-important line, but combined with instructing the churches and teaching the people how to help the needy and outcast, and though unworthy ones may be connected with the ministry, no one can ignore the ministry without ignoring God. 8T 160.1–161.1+2

God Himself tempered the body together for its unity and perfection, giving more abundant honor to the part that lacked so that no member rules over another.Lt 178, 1909, par. 14–16+1 Church office is simple organization and order ordained for leadership, counsel, help and thanksgiving, in which the officer stands as leader, adviser, counselor and helper in bearing burdens and in leading thanksgiving to God, but is not appointed to order and command fellow laborers because the Lord is over His heritage and will lead His people.Lt 178, 1909, par. 14–16 Those carrying responsibilities must treat fellow laborers with the same consideration they would wish to receive, for all are brethren, position gives no man kingly authority, and the meekness of Christ must make the worker Christlike.Lt 178, 1909, par. 14–16 The General Conference work, the publishing work and the sanitarium work are equal branches governed by the same principles, the kingly power once exercised at Battle Creek is not to continue, the publishing institution is not to be a kingdom by itself, and no one is to think his own branch vastly more important than the others.8T 233.1

No one mind has been given all wisdom to mold and direct important interests by itself or to be the voice of the people, and no one placed in sacred office can bear its responsibilities alone.RCOC 98.4–99.1+2 God does not reveal everything to one person but teaches different people, giving to every man talents according to ability with one mind having larger scope than another, making other men just as valuable and willing to teach and guide them.RCOC 98.4–99.1+2 Those in trust must therefore modestly regard the opinions of others as worthy of respect and as likely to be correct as their own, link with helpers whose minds do not run in exactly the same lines, share plans and thoughts, listen to one another, and receive kindly offered counsel without fear of criticism.RCOC 98.4–99.1+2 Each worker's contribution is to be valued, position makes no one superior or unable to err, and each part supplies what another lacks to form a complete whole working in perfect harmony.9MR 151.4–152.1+2 Applied to the school, people of different abilities are brought together to contribute judgment and take part in shared decisions, with none treating himself as superior or excluding others from their proper part.Ms 177, 1898, par. 7–9

God tempered the church together like a human body from head to feet, with different members having different offices yet all of one body centered in Christ the Head, and diversity of gifts and operations by the same Spirit is His economy to meet varied organizations and minds in the world so that the strength of one servant is not the strength of another.11MR 277.2–4+1 Each keeps independent natural traits that give access to a class others cannot touch, and God develops each person's natural traits and individual strength for a particular work, so differences are not to be erased by forcing all to conform to one person's ideas.Lt 49, 1875, par. 2–4+1 Therefore no one must govern too much, give so much direction, seek to bend other minds to his own ideas, or mold their judgment and character to himself, lest will and identity be destroyed and they be spoiled for their work.11MR 277.2–4+1 Every person must be left free for God to convict and operate upon the heart, call forth powers, develop individual strength and experience for a special work, and cultivate the gifts given him to become a more efficient laborer while united with fellow laborers.11MR 277.2–4+1 No one person's mind, ideas or method should control the work, no fixed course of labor should be dictated for others, and experienced workers should help and patiently teach those with less experience in mutual support, kindness and love, so that varied ways of presenting truth cooperate and strengthen the whole.RCOC 75.1+1 Those privileges of membership include the precious freedom of the liberty of the children of God to act out grace bestowed, so those in trust must not dictate and control consciences but subordinate their will to Christ and practice His meekness and lowliness to preserve that freedom.9MR 175.1–2

The verse belongs to teaching to be studied and applied for the continuous humbling of individual self and critical taking of self in hand, beginning with self-examination.Lt 354, 1905, par. 14 Each person is to deny himself and bear his own cross of self-denial, self-humiliation and self-sacrifice instead of laying his cross on somebody else to carry.Lt 354, 1905, par. 14 The Lord shows unceasing tenderness and desires the same tenderness in dealing with one another, speaking good words to help and strengthen brethren and jealously guarding one another's interests even when mistakes are made, instead of standing afar off in self-confidence to watch for opportunity to criticize and condemn.Ms 141, 1902, par. 18–19 All believers are members of one body in which there is to be no crowding, no judging and no measuring of one gift by another, with thankfulness that the Lord accepts everyone manifesting repentance toward God and faith in Jesus Christ and with no bars placed to keep any soul from courage in the warfare against temptation.Lt 67, 1903, par. 16 Instead of criticizing one another, each is to deal sternly with self, examine peculiar temperament and weaknesses of character with closest introspection, and deal decidedly and bravely with perverse disposition so that God is not dishonored.Lt 67, 1903, par. 16

God Himself accomplishes the work and has tempered the body together so that every member acts his part in his order, and not one is to be considered unnecessary and crowded out.Ms 115, 1898, par. 13 The human channel through whom God works is not to be exalted and praised, for all exaltation belongs to God, and the one who works in meekness and lowliness hides in Jesus and lets Christ appear and be exalted, thus becoming an object lesson, while tests bravely borne teach others as well as himself.Ms 115, 1898, par. 13 The Lord will not sustain self-sufficiency, self-seeking and self-uplifting, and this is the test for all in school capacity.Ms 115, 1898, par. 13 In sanitariums this forbids selfish aspiring to the chief place, with head physicians placing themselves first and keeping associate physicians as inexperienced learners who only obey in order to protect influence with patients, for when God provides a man of understanding and efficiency to unite with the presiding physician he must be given every chance to be proved.Lt 136, 1900, par. 14–16 The same rule applies in gospel ministry, where laborers must not pick and choose or receive and discard fellow workers according to hereditary and cultivated traits, but must continually strive for unity with Christ dwelling in the heart by faith, each member respected and doing individual work under the one Head.Lt 136, 1900, par. 14–16 Those given responsibility are only a part of a great whole set by God with many others to be a help to others, so no worker is to exalt self or seek supremacy and mastery over others, but is to put away hereditary and cultivated selfishness, high opinion of self and desire to control, and to gain a clean unselfish character by studying Christ's life, with his own course determining the value of the many members God placed in the body.Lt 416, 1907, par. 16–17

God's true converting power must circulate through all members like the healthful current of blood in the body, bringing great changes, mutual respect and unity.Ms 197, 1899, par. 19+1 Ministers and physicians are members of one body and the fault for disunion is not altogether on one side, so ministers showing disrespect on health reform and physicians bearing down on ministers as a body in an unjustifiable manner, including division over the light against tea, Java coffee and flesh meats, creates disunion displeasing to God.Ms 197, 1899, par. 19 For workers in a printing institution this means the Spirit of Christ must circulate through all as blood circulates, requiring true conversion of heart and mind and spirit with no half-way work, crucifixion of self, and unity in repentance and conversion.Lt 218, 1907, par. 3 Then Christ and heavenly angels cooperate in daily labor, with the character of the blessed in Matthew 5 and the practical principles of Matthew 7 lived out.Lt 218, 1907, par. 3

The whole chapter belongs in memory, written on mind and heart, studied and digested and lived rather than ignored, and it stands among the chapters that steady believers under trial and testing by showing God's ordering of the members with special honor to the part that lacked.Ms 82, 1898, par. 31–33+1 The Word of God itself is a complete body pervaded by one divine life, as the human body is a complete structure where every part is united to and dependent on the other for life, each with its special office connected to form a complete whole, so every book and every portion has its use and lesson adapted to every phase of life to secure its special result and make the human family complete in Christ.Lt 3, 1898, par. 13–16 To every man, woman and child God has given work in His moral vineyard, different lines committed to different persons according to several ability, one fitted for one work and another for another, each to be the complement of the others, for no one alone is a complete whole.Ms 83, 1899, par. 7+2 Every member has his own work and none can belong and remain inactive, each enlisted not for ease but to endure hardship as a faithful soldier vigilant and courageous in his part in soul-saving, each of every grade, high and low, rich and poor, men, women and youth of various temperaments and callings having individual power and responsibility to the whole body to devise and execute what is best for its many-sided life.Ms 83, 1899, par. 7+2 No teacher, physician or minister is complete alone, but varied talents of many minds are blended, deficiency of one made up by the special gift of another, contact of mind with mind quickening thought and increasing capability, so that physicians and teachers uniting give youth a symmetrical education, and talents given in proportion to capability — five to some, two to others, one to others — are to be used, improved and employed as stewardship of God's Word in every circumstance to His glory.Lt 26, 1898, par. 1–3+2

Harmony depends on each keeping diligently to his own machine and post, doing his own work correctly in connection with other laborers, whether in sacred or secular callings, business, ministry or trade, consecrated wholly to God so every act becomes sacred under Christ's training.Ms 1, 1873, par. 3–6+1 No one with his gift alone can carry meetings to perfection or mold the work after his special ideas, but varied gifts and agencies under the Lord build it strong and proportional and complete, each supplying another's deficiency, including careful minds that check exaggeration, while slowness in concluding loses precious time and two or three leaving their work to watch and correct the great wheel make the movement heavy and jarring and need sharp reproof to fall back to their traces.Ms 1b, 1874, par. 23+1 Every addition to the church becomes one more agency for redemption, the entire church acting as one in perfect union becoming a living active missionary agency moved and controlled by the Holy Spirit, for truth not lived and imparted loses life-giving power, and success depends not on numbers, standing or intellect but on walking and working with Christ in humility, meekness and lowliness with God's claims paramount in unceasing effort for sin-sick souls, each member willing to serve in his lot as burden-bearer.RH Apr 29, 1909+1 Connection with Christ involves connection with His church as His body with Christ as invisible Head, the church organized for service so that joining it is a first step in service, loyalty demanding faithful church duties which train for effort for the world outside.ED 268.4–6+1 Real membership is spiritual union with Jesus by faith and love continually uniting and harmonizing, not mere names on record, for the fruitless branch is taken away while the fruitful bears evidence of allegiance.ED 268.4–6+1 To believe is to put on Christ and be united as limb to body in living connection, made possible because He clothed divinity with humanity to touch and uplift humanity while grasping the throne of the Infinite, thus linking finite man with the infinite God.Ms 143, 1898, par. 19

No part can live by serving only itself, for members must serve one another as heart sends blood to hand and head, and a member refusing to give perishes like an organ keeping blood to itself, while every part however small affects the whole and misuse lessens the usefulness of all.ST Feb 24, 1904+2 Those with ability or insight that can help another part must share it rather than hold it as private possession or act independently.7T 197.5–198.2+2 Gifts are not to glorify the possessor but to uplift Christ, benefit others, represent truth and faithfully carry God's appointed duties, with different minds and gifts needed together since no one has wisdom to manage alone or claim an exclusive field, and humble teachable cooperation remains even without sameness of views.GW 481.1–2+2 Every rank and class has talents with a necessary part, none to be belittled or shut out, the poor contributing humility, simplicity, tested virtue, trust, sympathy and witness of great value, and shared sympathy and work keep the church healthy.GW 331.1–2+1 There is to be no strife over who is greatest, as among bodily members, but one common interest in restoring God's moral image, each working out his own and his family's and associates' salvation, with no place in the redeemed family for those disregarding it.Lt 57, 1902, par. 7–10 Different gifts are meant to hold believers together, never to separate into parties under different heads with one minister as conscience for others, and where contention and party spirit appear there is need for reformation by investigation and right naming of dissension born of unsanctified narrow conceptions, for a party agreeing only with its leader works against unity while each contribution supplies another's lack.Lt 39, 1902, par. 6+1

No worker is to stand in individual independence with his own judgment supreme and light coming directly from God alone apart from appointed leaders and channels, for Christ and the church are inseparable and leaders are ordained means for help and strength, and to neglect or despise them rejects God's provision and leaves one where Satan can separate and deceive, whereas human instrumentality cooperating with the divine keeps every agency subordinate to the Holy Spirit in organized united effort.GW92 266.4+1 Unity preserves individuality under Jesus' leadership rather than consolidation, each keeping personal responsibility while counseling together to bring ideas into harmony with truth, with no arbitrary man-ruling power taking God's place, diversity of gifts and experiences and manifestations remaining with liberty of expression yet blended in love and harmonious action to a complete whole unto holiness and Christ's perfection, and harmony among those so distinct in individuality and disposition evidences that God sent His Son.Ms 158, 1907, par. 1–4+2 In evangelistic work no one labors alone to build a church as Christ desires, but talents combine with talents supplying lack, in humility and much prayer without diversion by frivolous things, with no fixed course dictated for others and experienced workers patiently teaching the less experienced in kindness and love.RCOC 75.1+1 One connected only in name without drawing life from Christ is like a paralyzed member whose brief convulsive activity is not lasting life, while true life from Christ shows in abiding growth and fruit in mutual dependence with honor to the lacking.1MR 370.4–371.3

Union with the body requires guarding by God's Spirit against love of property and riches, overcoming idolatry of possessions whose attraction decreases as heavenly treasure increases in value, imparting substance freely to aid truth and secure heavenly treasure so love of truth predominates and victory becomes an example to others and watching unbelievers amid hard warfare from Satan.15MR 327.2–3 Ministers who feed the flock build the body into healthy action only by principle and self-discipline rather than feeling and impulse, disciplining self to labor, speak and pray whether inclined or not, for waiting for inclination brings loss to dependent brethren, languishing of the cause and spread of discouragement.Lt 11, 1870, par. 13 Trying to establish sanitariums or other enterprises on an entirely independent basis separate from other branches always fails, for workers in one field are never an independent whole, and new work needs help from experienced workers in both failure and success.Ms 90, 1901, par. 11 Extreme independence refusing instruction, correction, counsel, guidance and reproof that crosses private ideas, yielding to no judgment but its own and maintaining its way against facts, reason and clearest proof in opposition to the body, is one-man power claiming all must bend to one mind, without God's mark, while God's way to perfect character and keep from error is through the body in humility, distrust of self, dying to self and submission to God, since all are subject to error and none infallible.Ms 3, 1875, par. 2–4

The whole human organism of physical and mental powers and affections must be trained and used in God's service, many workers and many kinds of work great and small uniting to a perfect whole, each with special work sharing Christ's words within reach, each branch strengthening and protecting the others and each laboring for health of the whole as well as his own branch.Lt 1, 1901, par. 1–4+3 When spiritual gifts are not slighted they live in the church to encourage the fainthearted and correct the erring, and the Holy Spirit pervading the body brings divine cooperation with the human, power of the future world transforming human agencies into divine, all united converted agencies combining under the law of cooperation and reciprocal influence to reveal Christ and the cross with no kingly power of one man controlling.SG2 203.2+1 Strength comes through union with each helping the other in work for the Master, none gaining increase by seeking to be head but each confessing weakness and applying to God as source, and those feeling least yet working, praying and imparting with zeal gain more to share and become burden-bearers allied to Christ the living Head and vitalized by His Spirit.Ms 101, 1898, par. 6–7 Each undertaking and each worker and agency should act in harmony with the others, each undertaking prayerfully considered for its effect on the whole cause in its coordinated place.Ms 25, 1892, par. 24 Members as the Lord's working agencies with ministers as under-shepherds under Christ the divine Shepherd and great Head must become one with the Head in unity of action, partaking the divine nature escaped from corruption through lust, holding doctrine in purity and following the Bible implicitly.7MR 91.1–2

Friendship among members one of another as brothers and sisters of one family and branches of one vine and root is kept true without partiality or hypocrisy by pure love as a divine principle and permanent power fresh from God's heart binding heart to heart under the Holy Spirit, loving supremely and fervently with pure hearts, with mutual responsibility and confidence powerful for good or evil and sanctified talents exercised for mutual benefit with influence tending only to good.Lt 28, 1896, par. 9–11 The church established as heaven's instrumentality next to heaven under God's glory, many members of one body joined by golden links with every part working connectedly, has no kings forbidding workers to go where they find place or controlling support, but sends them to the people and waste places to tell necessities, wrestle in grace and build up the work from nothing wherever they can.Ms 43c, 1901, par. 10–11 The life and health of the whole flows into each enterprise as branch and arm, so a healthy church sends vitalizing current and light controlling its arms in God's counsel and keeping out error, while a sickly church without God's favor circulates sickly deathly influence until moral darkness and spiritual death appear everywhere, the church's darkness creating the arm's darkness.2T 138.3 Each member is enlisted as faithful steward true without robbery toward God, with efficiency depending on such faithfulness and assurance of help, entrusted with blessing and comforting those of like faith, looking up in belief, enlightening by example and responding to Christ's sacrifice with cheerful courageous vigilance.Ms 24, 1889, par. 55–56+1

The church as one family of distinct characteristics is like different stones in the high priest's breastplate, each with particular significance contributing beauty and unity.Ms 105, 1900, par. 6 Peace and harmony placing good of the whole above individual judgment blends diverse elements one adapted to the other, persons of different temperaments brought together in providence because no one mind suffices to devise and direct with balanced influence, each doing its special work in one great plan bearing Christ's image for God is one.Lt 78, 1894, par. 18–19+1 Believers differing in characteristics and experience, not exact duplicates in thought, word and action, draw all strength and life from the same stock in close union with one another and with Him, each with his part, together one harmonious whole bearing much fruit to God's glory.RH Aug 29, 1907 Mental and physical powers are all essential to make the church a building representing the Designer's wisdom amid last-day perils, talents cultivated in right relation to a perfect whole, each cultivating mind as the Lord's garden to form character after the divine similitude.2MR 341.2 All parts under Christ wearing His yoke in humility use varied gifts as His helping hand to bless humanity, controlled by God-given wisdom in harmonious action with no jealousy or division over Paul or Apollos or Cephas, drawing in even cords without friction and blessing others rather than competing or following human leaders.Ms 130, 1905, par. 12–13+1

God joins believers of varying character into one body through profession of faith, assigning different lines without interference of one with another's distinct work, with faith and love continually uniting and harmonizing.RCOC 96.1 God does not reveal everything to one person but teaches different persons, so brethren share plans and thoughts, listen and receive kindly offered counsel without fear of criticism, giving special honor to those otherwise overlooked.RCOC 98.4–99.1 No one lives for himself, for even one feeling least among saints belongs through Christ to human and heavenly beings with duty whose influence should strengthen all.7T 296.1 Each member has a proper place according to ability belonging to and working in harmony with the body rather than independently or for self alone, none excluded, contributing to welfare of others and promoting one another's happiness with Jesus as center and source of life and power.Lt 33, 1888, par. 31–33+1 Those with ability must share rather than hold apart, recognizing part in a greater whole, willing to seek and receive counsel, drawing together in mutual submission and learning through the Holy Spirit rather than acting as independent bodies by own judgment.STB 469.3+3 Leaders should so plan that every member has a part according to ability, for perfection depends on proper working of individuals, no one carrying all alone nor all taking the same task, since neglected abilities leave members open to misuse while employed gifts make the church active and fruitful.Lt 19, 1901, par. 45–47+1 Workers in one field are never an independent whole, each place and work related to the rest with no individuality making independence, as heaven's angels each serve in assigned position in mutual care, and every phase of present work must stay firmly united to the commandment-keeping people in coordinated distinct roles under Christ the Head.Ms 156, 1899, par. 4–5+1