1 Corinthians 12:25-26

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Corinthians 12:12-26

The law of order in the human body. For other cases in which this simile is employed, see Romans 12:4 , Romans 12:5 ; Ephesians 4:16 ; Ephesians 5:30 ; Colossians 2:19 . The human body presents a very striking illustration of I. IT IS A WHOLE . Evidently for it there was a plan, an ideal. It is a complete thing. It has its appointed parts; nothing whatever can be added to it, and nothing can be taken from it. Though it may be unrealized as yet, God sees his Church to... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

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 12:25

No schism in the Body. What is exclusively called "schism" is not necessarily such. There may be difference of fold in the one flock. There may be no real discord or dissension, though there may be varieties of ecclesiastical government. Unity, as the whole argument shows, does not demand the existence of uniformity. That the members should have the same care one for another. Thus the early believers "were of one heart and of one soul;" and the moment that a complaint arose that one of the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Corinthians 12:26

Whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it, etc. St. Chrysostom illustrates this verse by saying that if a thorn runs into the heel, the whole body feels it and is troubled; and that, on the ether hand, if the head is garlanded, the whole man is glorified. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Corinthians 12:26

Sympathy. The desirableness and preciousness of sympathy are unquestionable. Selfishness is the curse of human nature and human society. There is a tendency towards absorption in individual interests, pleasures, and sorrows, which needs to be counteracted. Sympathy is as natural a principle as selfishness, though not so strong. Christianity tends to strengthen it for the conflict; and in the new humanity the love of the Saviour awakens and fosters regard for all those for whom Christ died.... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Corinthians 12:26

The common bearing of a Christian Church. "Whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it." "This is a matter of the most ordinary experience in the human body. A pain in any portion, even the most remote from the seats of life, affects the whole. A glance at history will show us that it is the same with the body politic. Whatever is physically, morally, or spiritually injurious to any one portion of society, or of the Church of Christ, is sure in the long run to produce... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 1 Corinthians 12:25

That there should be no schism - Margin, “Division;” see note on 1 Corinthians 11:18. The sense here is, that the body might be united, and be one harmonious whole; that there should be no separate interests; and that all the parts should be equally necessary, and truly dependent on each other; and that no member should be regarded as separated from the others, or as needless to the welfare of all. The sense to be illustrated by this is, that no member of the church, however feeble, or... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 1 Corinthians 12:26

And whether one member suffer - One member, or part of the body.All the members suffer with it - This, we all know, is the case with the body. A pain in the foot, the hand, or the head excites deep solicitude. The interest is not confined to the part affected; but we feel that we ourselves are affected, and that our body, as a whole, demands our care. The word “suffer” here refers to disease, or sickness. It is true also that not only we feel an “interest” in the part that is affected, but that... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - 1 Corinthians 12:24-26

1 Corinthians 12:24-26. For our comely and graceful parts have no need Of being so adorned, as they appear to greater advantage uncovered; but God hath tempered the body together Συνεκερασε , hath attempered and united in just proportions the several parts thereof; having given To such as are naturally weak and without beauty; more abundant honour Through their greater efficacy in the nourishment and preservation of the body, and by causing them to be cared for and served by the... read more

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