Final answer:
The growth and building up of the whole body in love is metaphorically associated with the collective spirit and support within a community. It emphasizes the role of communal bonds, rather than a singular being, in fostering an environment of mutual growth where interconnectedness and love are seen as divine principles nurturing the human experience.
Step-by-step explanation:
From the texts presented, it is evident that the whole body is metaphorically described as growing and building itself up in love through a collective nourishment of spirit and community, rather than from a singular physical source. These poetic excerpts evoke themes of interconnectedness, mutual growth, and the nurturing of communal bonds. The concept of love as a foundational element for growth runs through each excerpt, suggesting that love is both a nutrient for the community organism and an essential component of the human experience.
It's not a deity or singular being that allows the whole body to grow, but rather the collective actions, feelings, and experiences of individuals within a community that contribute to its growth and build it up in love. This growth is not just physical but emotional and spiritual, fostering an environment where support, connection, and love are abundant. The reference to the earth-god and synergy between humans and nature reflects the idea that the essence of love and community is a foundational, divine principle that permeates through all living things.