"There are bodies celestial as well as bodies terrestrial. But a different glory, indeed, is that of the celestial, yet a different that of the terrestrial, another glory of the sun, and another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars, FOR STAR IS EXCELLING STAR IN GLORY. Thus also is the resurrection of the dead" (1 Corinthians 15:40-42).

While reading Paul, we get the distinct impression that there are different levels of glory WITHIN the body of Christ. For, if salvation is free, why does Paul present himself in Philippians as one who is "pursuing a goal" for a "prize"? (Philippians 3:4). Also, Paul exhorts Timothy to be "warring the ideal warfare" (1 Timothy 1:18), comparing THIS calling (in the same context) with those who are "shipwrecked as to the faith" (1 Timothy 1:19). The simplest thing Paul said concerning himself was that he had "kept the faith" (2 Timothy 4:7).

Are these various levels of service and glory within the body of Christ? I am seeing more clearly than ever that the answer is "yes."

I must thank Johnny Greene for unwittingly emphasizing the "shipwrecked as to the faith" verse, as pertaining to Hymeneus and Alexander. While Johnny believes that these are NOT members of the body of Christ, the context proves that they MUST be members of the body of Christ. Is this, then, the lowest order of membership in the body of Christ?

No doubt some would accuse me of "dividing the body of Christ," but no. The body of Christ is still one. But within the one, are there not still "many members" that, just as with the human body, have different functions? (1 Corinthians 12:11-27), and even glories?