1 Corinthians 12:12-13 ESV

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Corinthians 12:1-31

Spiritual gifts. A transition occurs here to a class of topics most important and interesting, since they involve the character and glory of the new dispensation. It was the special economy of the Holy Ghost which St. Paul was now to consider. All along we have had an insight into mistakes and disorders, into disputes and wranglings and, at times, into shameful vices. A quarter of a century had little more than passed since Christ ascended to the throne of the Father as the God Man of... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Corinthians 12:12

As the body is one, and hath many members. To this favourite image St. Paul reverts several times ( Romans 12:4 , Romans 12:5 ; Ephesians 4:11-16 ; Colossians 2:19 ). It is probable that he was familiar with the image from the fable of Menenius Agrippa, who had used it as a plea for civil unity (Liv., 2:32). So also is Christ. Christ and the Church form one body, of which Christ is the Head; one Vine, of which Christians are the branches ( John 15:1-27 .); one building, of which... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Corinthians 12:12

Spiritual unity. If this be a true representation, what an honour, what a happiness it is to be a Christian! It is to be joined to the Lord of life and glory, and to be associated with the noblest, the purest, the best of mankind. I. IN WHAT RESPECTS CHRIST AND HIS MEMBERS ARE ONE . The expression used by the apostle is remarkable: "So also is Christ." He says, "Christ;" yet he means Christ s people; from which it appears that, in the view or the apostle, as in the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Corinthians 12:12

The body of Christ. The analogy the apostle here uses is broadly true of the whole fellowship of redeemed and regenerate souls—"the Catholic Church throughout all the world," which acknowledges Christ as its living Head. It also applies to the Corinthian Christians as a local society, a part of the grand whole. The principles on which the constitution of the whole depends are supposed to be illustrated in that of each particular part. The comparison of the Church with a living body is not... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

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 12:13

By one Spirit; rather, in one Spirit. The diffusion of one spirit is the clement of unity. Are we all baptized; rather, we were all baptized. Whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free. Moreover, as these were national and social differences, they were all obliterated by baptism, which made us all equal members of one holy brotherhood ( Galatians 3:28 ). Have been all made to drink into one Spirit . The word "into" is probably spurious. We have all been given to... read more

Albert Barnes

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

For as the body is one - The general sentiment which the apostle had been illustrating and enforcing was, that all the endowments which were possessed in the church were the work of the same Holy Spirit, and that they ought to be appropriately cherished and prized, as being all useful and valuable in their places. This sentiment he now illustrates 1 Corinthians 12:12-27 by a beautiful similitude taken from the mutual dependence of the various parts of the human body. The human body is one, and... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 1 Corinthians 12:13

For by one Spirit - That is, by the agency or operation of the same Spirit, the Holy Spirit, we have been united into one body. The idea here is the same as that presented above 1 Corinthians 12:7, 1 Corinthians 12:11, by which all the endowments of Christians are traced to the same Spirit. Paul here says, that that Spirit had so endowed them as to fit them to constitute one body, or to be united in one, and to perform the various duties which resulted from their union in the same Christian... read more

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Corinthians 12:1-31

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Corinthians 12:12

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Corinthians 12:12

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Corinthians 12:12

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Corinthians 12:12-26

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Corinthians 12:12-27

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Corinthians 12:12-31

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Corinthians 12:13

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

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 1 Corinthians 12:13

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