17 For we being many are one bread, and one body: for we are all partakers of that one bread.
17 Because there is one loaf, we, who are many, are one body, for we all share the one loaf.
17 Because there is one bread, we who are many are one body, for we all partake of the one bread.
17 Because there is one loaf, our many-ness becomes one-ness - Christ doesn't become fragmented in us. Rather, we become unified in him. We don't reduce Christ to what we are; he raises us to what he is.
17 For we, though many, are one bread and one body; for we all partake of that one bread.
17 And though we are many, we all eat from one loaf of bread, showing that we are one body.
27 Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular.
27 Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it.
27 Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it.
27 You are Christ's body - that's who you are! You must never forget this. Only as you accept your part of that body does your "part" mean anything.
27 Now you are the body of Christ, and members individually.
27 All of you together are Christ's body, and each of you is a part of it.
(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.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on 1 Corinthians 10:17
Commentary on 1 Corinthians 10:15-22
(Read 1 Corinthians 10:15-22)
Did not the joining in the Lord's supper show a profession of faith in Christ crucified, and of adoring gratitude to him for his salvation ? Christians, by this ordinance, and the faith therein professed, were united as the grains of wheat in one loaf of bread, or as the members in the human body, seeing they were all united to Christ, and had fellowship with him and one another. This is confirmed from the Jewish worship and customs in sacrifice. The apostle applies this to feasting with idolaters. Eating food as part of a heathen sacrifice, was worshipping the idol to whom it was made, and having fellowship or communion with it; just as he who eats the Lord's supper, is accounted to partake in the Christian sacrifice, or as they who ate the Jewish sacrifices partook of what was offered on their altar. It was denying Christianity; for communion with Christ, and communion with devils, could never be had at once. If Christians venture into places, and join in sacrifices to the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eye, and the pride of life, they will provoke God.