I Corinthians 12:17
A plain-spoken deep dive on this verse. Read the chapter →
If the whole body were an eye, where would the sense of hearing be? If the whole body were an ear, where would the sense of smell be?
Commentaries
Excerpts gathered from published commentaries to ground the reading.
Superior as the eye is, it would not do if it were the sole member to the exclusion of the rest.
Open source ↗In this chapter the apostle, I. Considers the case of spiritual gifts, which were very plentifully poured out on the Corinthian church. He considers their original, that they are from God; their variety and use, that they were all intended for one and the same general end, the advancement of Christianity and the church's edification (Co1 12:1-11). II. He illustrates this by an allusion to a human body, in which all the members have a mutual relation and subserviency, and each has its proper place and use (Co1 12:12-26). III. He tells us that the church is the body of Christ, and the members are variously gifted for the benefit of the whole body, and each particular member (Co1 12:27-30). And them, IV. Closes with an exhortation to seek somewhat more beneficial than these gifts (Co1 12:31).
Open source ↗Original language
The Hebrew and Greek words behind this passage, with Strong's numbers — from openscriptures (CC BY-SA).
Cross-references
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The eye cannot say to the hand, “I do not need you.” Nor can the head say to the feet, “I do not need you.”
Ears that hear and eyes that see— the LORD has made them both.
He who affixed the ear, can He not hear? He who formed the eye, can He not see?
Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles?
(Formerly in Israel, a man on his way to inquire of God would say, “Come, let us go to the seer.” For the prophet of today was formerly called the seer.)