so in Christ we who are many are one body: Paul compares the human body to the church, which he calls the body of Christ. He also uses this comparison in 1 Corinthians 12. This picture helps explain both unity and diversity in the church. Many parts belong to one body, and each part has an important role. Ancient writers also used this same comparison to describe how communities work together (compare Livy, History 2.32; Epictetus, Discourses 2.10.4–5).