1 Corinthians 12:17

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Corinthians 12:17

If the whole body were an eye, etc. In the body there is between the members an identity of common interest and a perfection of separate functions. All are not equal in strength and delicacy, but each is happy, and each is necessary to the well being of all. There could be no better image of the ideal relation of Christians to each other and to the Church. read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 1 Corinthians 12:17

If the whole body ... - The idea in this verse is, that all the parts of the body are useful in their proper place, and that it would be as absurd to require or expect that all the members of the church should have the same endowments, as it would be to attempt to make the body “all eye.” If all were the same; if all had the same endowments, important offices which are now secured by the other members would be unknown. All, therefore, are to be satisfied with their allotment; all are to be... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - 1 Corinthians 12:14-20

1 Corinthians 12:14-20. For the body is not one member, but many All of which are necessary, that the various sorts of offices belonging to the body may be all performed: thus there must be different gifts and offices in the church of Christ, which all conduce to the advantage and perfection of the whole. If the foot One of inferior gifts and place; shall say, Because I am not the hand Do not appear in a more honourable place, and have not a more important office; I am not of the body ... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - 1 Corinthians 12:12-31

Unity in spite of many gifts (12:12-31)The human body is made up of many parts, all with different functions, yet there is a basic unity throughout the body. So it is in the church which is Christ’s body. All believers, without distinction, are introduced into and united in that body through the baptism of the Spirit. The same Spirit dwells within each one (12-13).Many parts make up the body, and all are necessary for its proper functioning. Those without more obvious gifts should not think... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - 1 Corinthians 12:17

If . App-118 . smelling . Greek. osphresis. Only here. read more

Thomas Coke

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - 1 Corinthians 12:17

1 Corinthians 12:17. If the whole body were an eye.— The Apostle by this intends probably to insinuate, that were there no other gifts in the church but those which they so much extolled in some of their teachers, it would be of very great disadvantage to the body. See Doddridge and Benson. read more

Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - 1 Corinthians 12:17

17. Superior as the eye is, it would not do if it were the sole member to the exclusion of the rest. read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - 1 Corinthians 12:4-31

2. The need for varieties of spiritual gifts 12:4-31Paul planned to return to the subject of glossolalia (ch. 14), but first he wanted to talk more generally about spiritual gifts. In the verses that follow he dealt with differences in gifts in the church."Having given the negative and positive criterion of genuine spiritual endowments as manifested in speech, the Apostle goes on to point out the essential oneness of these very varied gifts." [Note: Robertson and Plummer, p. 262.] Diversity,... read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - 1 Corinthians 12:15-26

The application of the figure 12:15-26Paul proceeded to spell out the implications of his analogy. read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - 1 Corinthians 12:17

Different functions as well as different members are necessary in the body (cf. 1 Corinthians 12:4). Paul’s point was not the inferiority of some members but the need for all members. read more

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