1 Corinthians 12:19-20

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Corinthians 12:12-27

The body of Christ. A striking figure. Christians are not separate, unrelated units; they are compacted together and form one whole, which is "the body of Christ." Of this body Christ is the Head ( Colossians 2:19 )—the central controlling and directing Power, and each believer is some member of the body. In this passage the apostle is speaking of the members of the body rather than of the Head—of Christians rather than directly of Christ. Note— I. THE NUMBER AND VARIETY OF ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Corinthians 12:12-31

The Church compared to a body and its members. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Corinthians 12:19

And if they were all one member, where were the body? The interests of the individual must never overshadow those of the Church. In the Church, as in the body, the hypertrophy or the atrophy of any one member is injurious, not only to itself, but to the whole. read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 1 Corinthians 12:19

And if all were one member - If there were nothing but an eye, an ear, or a limb, there would be no body The idea which this seems intended to illustrate is, that if there was not variety of talent and endowment in the church, the church could not itself exist. If, for example, there were nothing but apostles, or prophets, or teachers; if there were none but those who spoke with tongues or could interpret them, the church could not exist. A variety of talents and attainments in their proper... 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

Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - 1 Corinthians 12:19

19. where were the body—which, by its very idea, "hath many members" (1 Corinthians 12:12; 1 Corinthians 12:14), [ALFORD]. read more

Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - 1 Corinthians 12:20

20. now—as the case really is: in contrast to the supposition ( :-; compare 1 Corinthians 12:18). many members—mutually dependent. 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

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