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Verse Takeaways
1
No Room for Elitism
Commentators stress that this verse is a direct rebuke to spiritual pride. Those with prominent gifts, like the 'eye' or 'head,' are explicitly told they cannot function without those in less visible roles, like the 'hand' or 'feet.' Scholars like Calvin and Barnes explain that the most talented members are ineffective without the support and cooperation of every other member.
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Book Overview
1 Corinthians
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Commentaries
7
Albert Barnes
On 1 Corinthians 12:21
18th Century
Theologian
And the eye cannot say to the hand, etc. The hand in its place is as necessary as the eye, and the feet as the head. Indeed, the eye and t…
AT Robertson
On 1 Corinthians 12:21
Cannot say (ου δυνατα ειπειν). And be truthful. The superior organs need the inferior ones (the eye, the hand, the head, the feet)…
Charles Spurgeon
On 1 Corinthians 12:18–21
19th Century
Preacher
But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him. And if they were all one member, where were the body? B…
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Expositor's Bible Commentary
On 1 Corinthians 12:21
Here the emphasis is on the mutual dependence and concern of the various members of the body. As the organs of the human body—such as the eye, hand…
John Calvin
On 1 Corinthians 12:21
16th Century
Theologian
And the eye cannot say to the hand. Until now, he has been showing what the role of the less honorable members is—to fulfill their duty to…
John Gill
On 1 Corinthians 12:21
17th Century
Pastor
And the eye cannot say unto the hand Every member of the natural body is useful and necessary. The eye, the seat of the s…
Matthew Henry
On 1 Corinthians 12:12–26
17th Century
Minister
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 institut…