MEMBER (μέλος, G3517). A member of the body, such as the eye or the hand (Matt 5:29, 30).

It is not to be an instrument of wickedness but of righteousness (Rom 6:13); hence, no harlotry (1 Cor 6:15). In the “flesh,” sinful passions work toward fighting (James 4:1) and death (Rom 7:5, 23), but must be “put to death” (Col 3:5). Even the tongue can be “an unrighteous world” (James 3:5, 6).

Christians are Christ’s body, and so one must love his wife as his own body (Eph 5:28-30), and must “speak the truth...for we are members one of another” (4:25).

The body illustrates our function in the Church (Rom 12:4), to “have the same care for one another” (1 Cor 12:12, 25) in service (v. 21) or in suffering (v. 26).