When Paul speaks of the Church as “one body with many members,” in 1 Corinthians 12:12-31—which is a similar allegory to the symbolism of the Shepherd and sheep, and the Choir master — he is not describing a literal community. Psychologically, the Bible maps consciousness, with the “house” as the head—the mind itself. Each member, whether eye, hand, or foot, represents a distinct faculty or function within the self, all coordinated by a single animating Spirit.
“For as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ.”
— 1 Corinthians 12:12
From the opening lines of Genesis, God is revealed as Elohim, a plural name reflecting many powers acting as one. The body of Christ is the unfolding of this unity within consciousness: diverse faculties, coordinated, unified, and purposeful.
Elohim: Unity Through Inner Multiplicity
The name Elohim appears in Genesis 1:1:
“In the beginning, Elohim created the heavens and the earth.”
The plural noun paired with singular verbs hints at a psychological truth: oneness expressed through many faculties. Elohim is not a collection of separate beings, but a composite power: the totality of consciousness operating in unity. Neville Goddard likened this to the creative faculties of the human imagination, each contributing to a singular act of creation.
Paul’s Revelation: The Mind as a Body
In 1 Corinthians 12, Paul’s teaching can be read as a guide to the inner anatomy of consciousness:
- Hands, feet, eyes, ears, and voice symbolize faculties of thought, action, perception, and expression.
- Each faculty is placed intentionally and essential to the functioning of the whole.
- Neglecting any function causes imbalance in consciousness, just as disabling a body part injures the body.
- The body is not a metaphor alone; it is the pattern of mind’s internal structure revealed through scripture.
“You are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it.”
— 1 Corinthians 12:27
Viewed symbolically, the body is a framework within the head, coordinating faculties for creative expression and alignment with divine intent.
Function Over Hierarchy: Equality of Faculties
Paul warns against mental elitism:
“The eye cannot say to the hand, ‘I don’t need you.’” (v.21)
“Those parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable.” (v.22)
Each faculty—imagination, attention, belief, and action—has equal importance. In Neville’s terms:
- The imaginative eye perceives possibility.
- The feeling heart generates desire and motivation.
- The acting hand sustains and manifests belief.
- Each “member” contributes to a harmonised consciousness, a functioning mind.
Mapping the Body to Conscious Faculties
| Body Part | Psychological Faculty | Function in the Mind |
|---|---|---|
| Head | Awareness / Consciousness | The "house" that contains and organises all faculties |
| Eyes | Imagination / Vision | Perceiving possibilities; visualising outcomes |
| Ears | Attention / Reception | Receiving impressions and guidance from inner or outer awareness |
| Heart | Feeling / Desire | Generating emotional energy that motivates faculties to act |
| Hands | Action / Will | Executing intentions; moving ideas into effect |
| Feet | Direction / Movement | Grounding intentions; navigating choices and paths |
| Mouth / Voice | Expression / Declaration | Manifesting beliefs and intentions through words or acts |
This table shows how each “member” of the body corresponds to a faculty within the mind, coordinating together to form the “body of Christ” within the head, the living house of consciousness.
The Body as Image and Instrument
Genesis 1:26 states:
“Let us make man in our image…”
The image of man is not static—it is a living, structured consciousness. The “body” is a dynamic instrument: faculties acting in concert to create, perceive, and express. Each “member” reflects a vital aspect of thought, feeling, or action, revealing the unity of mind in motion.
Conclusion: Elohim Revealed Within
Paul’s vision of the body is a blueprint for consciousness itself. Each faculty, each mental function, is a member of this body. Together, they form the internal manifestation of the Divine—Elohim in action within the “house” of the head.
“There is one body and one Spirit… one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.”
— Ephesians 4:4–6
Every faculty matters; every function contributes. The Bible, symbolically, teaches that the Divine is revealed through a fully integrated mind, operating with harmony, purpose, and creative intent.