12 For even as the body is one and yet has many members , and all the members of the body , though they are many , are one body , so also is Christ . 13 For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body , whether Jews or Greeks , whether slaves or free , and we were all made to drink of one Spirit . 14 For the body is not one member , but many . 15 If the foot says , "Because I am not a hand , I am not a part of the body ," it is not for this reason any the less a part of the body . 16 And if the ear says , "Because I am not an eye , I am not a part of the body ," it is not for this reason any the less a part of the body . 17 If the whole body were an eye , where would the hearing be? If the whole were hearing , where would the sense of smell be? 18 But now God has placed the members , each one of them, in the body , just as He desired . 19 If they were all one member , where would the body be? 20 But now there are many members , but one body . 21 And the eye cannot e say to the hand , "I have no need of you"; or again the head to the feet , "I have no need of you." 22 On the contrary , it is much truer that the members of the body which seem to be weaker are necessary ; 23 and those members of the body which we deem less honorable , on these we bestow more abundant honor , and our less presentable members become much more presentable , 24 whereas our more presentable members have no need of it. But God has so composed the body , giving more abundant honor to that member which lacked , 25 so that there may be no division in the body , but that the members may have the same care for one another . 26 And if one member suffers , all the members suffer with it; if one member is honored , all the members rejoice with it.
27 Now you are Christ's body , and individually members of it.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on 1 Corinthians 12:12-27
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.
Commentary on 1 Corinthians 12:27-31
(Read 1 Corinthians 12:27-31)
Contempt, hatred, envy, and strife, are very unnatural in Christians. It is like the members of the same body being without concern for one another, or quarrelling with each other. The proud, contentious spirit that prevailed, as to spiritual gifts, was thus condemned. The offices and gifts, or favours, dispensed by the Holy Spirit, are noticed. Chief ministers; persons enabled to interpret Scripture; those who laboured in word and doctrine; those who had power to heal diseases; such as helped the sick and weak; such as disposed of the money given in charity by the church, and managed the affairs of the church; and such as could speak divers languages. What holds the last and lowest rank in this list, is the power to speak languages; how vain, if a man does so merely to amuse or to exalt himself! See the distribution of these gifts, not to every one alike, verses 29,30. This were to make the church all one, as if the body were all ear, or all eye. The Spirit distributes to every one as he will. We must be content though we are lower and less than others. We must not despise others, if we have greater gifts. How blessed the Christian church, if all the members did their duty! Instead of coveting the highest stations, or the most splendid gifts, let us leave the appointment of his instruments to God, and those in whom he works by his providence. Remember, those will not be approved hereafter who seek the chief places, but those who are most faithful to the trust placed in them, and most diligent in their Master's work.