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Spence, H. D. M., etc.

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 12:12-26

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 12:18

As it hath pleased him . Not arbitrarily, but in furtherance of one wise and beneficent design, so that each may be honoured and indispensable, and therefore contented in its own sphere. 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 12:18

Hath God set the members ... - God has formed the body, with its various members, as he saw would best conduce to the harmony and usefulness of all. 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

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