15 If the foot says, Because I am not the hand, I am not a part of the body; it is no less a part of the body. 16 And if the ear says, Because I am not the eye, I am not a part of the body; it is a part of the body all the same. 17 If all the body was an eye, where would be the hearing? if all was hearing, where would be the smelling? 18 But now God has put every one of the parts in the body as it was pleasing to him. 19 And if they were all one part, where would the body be? 20 But now they are all different parts, but one body. 21 And the eye may not say to the hand, I have no need of you: or again the head to the feet, I have no need of you. 22 No, those parts which seem to be feeble are the more necessary; 23 And to those parts of the body which seem to have less honour we give all the more honour; and to those parts of the body which are a cause of shame to us we give the greater respect; 24 But those parts of the body which are beautiful have no need of such care: and so the body has been joined together by God in such a way as to give more honour to those parts which had need of it; 25 So that there might be no division in the body; but all the parts might have the same care for one another. 26 And if there is pain in one part of the body, all the parts will be feeling it; or if one part is honoured, all the parts will be glad.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on 1 Corinthians 12:15-26
Commentary on 1 Corinthians 12:12-26
(Read 1 Corinthians 12:12-26)
Christ and his church form one body, as Head and members. Christians become members of this body by baptism. The outward rite is of Divine institution; it is a sign of the new birth, and is called therefore the washing of regeneration, Titus 3:5. But it is by the Spirit, only by the renewing of the Holy Ghost, that we are made members of Christ's body. And by communion with Christ at the Lord's supper, we are strengthened, not by drinking the wine, but by drinking into one Spirit. Each member has its form, place, and use. The meanest makes a part of the body. There must be a distinction of members in the body. So Christ's members have different powers and different places. We should do the duties of our own place, and not murmur, or quarrel with others. All the members of the body are useful and necessary to each other. Nor is there a member of the body of Christ, but may and ought to be useful to fellow-members. As in the natural body of man, the members should be closely united by the strongest bonds of love; the good of the whole should be the object of all. All Christians are dependent one upon another; each is to expect and receive help from the rest. Let us then have more of the spirit of union in our religion.