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The eye can`t tell the hand, "I have no need for you," or again the head to the feet, "I have no need for you."
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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8
18th Century
Presbyterian
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…
Cannot say (ου δυνατα ειπειν). And be truthful. The superior organs need the inferior ones (the eye, the hand, the head, the feet)…
19th Century
Baptist
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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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…
16th Century
Protestant
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…
17th Century
Reformed Baptist
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…
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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…
13th Century
Catholic
Having laid out the distinction among spiritual gifts, the Apostle now explains it using the analogy of a natural body. He first presents the analo…
