24 while our presentable parts need no special treatment. But God has put the body together, giving greater honor to the parts that lacked it,
24 For our comely parts have no need: but God hath tempered the body together, having given more abundant honour to that part which lacked:
24 which our more presentable parts do not require. But God has so composed the body, giving greater honor to the part that lacked it,
24 If anything, you have more concern for the lower parts than the higher. If you had to choose, wouldn't you prefer good digestion to full-bodied hair?
24 but our presentable parts have no need. But God composed the body, having given greater honor to that part which lacks it,
24 while the more honorable parts do not require this special care. So God has put the body together such that extra honor and care are given to those parts that have less dignity.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on 1 Corinthians 12:24
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.