The Collection in Paul's Letters as a Sign of Unity

Despite the division between Paul and the other apostles, his fellow workers, and the super-apostles, Paul single-mindedly presents in his letters the message of unity in Christ. On the one hand, to correctly describe the new relationship that believers have with Christ, Paul uses such phrases as ``one body'' and ``one in Christ.'' For Paul, these and other similar phrases are not analogies but instead they are facts, which accurately describe the new creation that has been given to the world. On the other hand, Paul knows of the limits of language and uses other forms of communication so that we can see Christ's body. Specifically, Paul illustrates the thesis that we share one body with examples based on Baptism and Holy Communion. In addition to these sacramentally based pictures, Paul also uses the collection for the poor in Jerusalem as yet another way to show us that we have been joined in Christ.