12 For, even as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of the one body, being many, are one body, so also 'is' the Christ, 13 for also in one Spirit we all to one body were baptized, whether Jews or Greeks, whether servants or freemen, and all into one Spirit were made to drink, 14 for also the body is not one member, but many; 15 if the foot may say, 'Because I am not a hand, I am not of the body;' it is not, because of this, not of the body; 16 and if the ear may say, 'Because I am not an eye, I am not of the body;' it is not, because of this, not of the body? 17 If the whole body 'were' an eye, where the hearing? if the whole hearing, where the smelling? 18 and now, God did set the members each one of them in the body, according as He willed, 19 and if all were one member, where the body? 20 and now, indeed, 'are' many members, and one body; 21 and an eye is not able to say to the hand, 'I have no need of thee;' nor again the head to the feet, 'I have no need of you.' 22 But much more the members of the body which seem to be more infirm are necessary, 23 and those that we think to be less honourable of the body, around these we put more abundant honour, and our unseemly things have seemliness more abundant, 24 and our seemly things have no need; but God did temper the body together, to the lacking part having given more abundant honour, 25 that there may be no division in the body, but that the members may have the same anxiety for one another, 26 and whether one member doth suffer, suffer with 'it' do all the members, or one member is glorified, rejoice with 'it' do all the members;

27 and ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular. 28 And some, indeed, did God set in the assembly, first apostles, secondly prophets, thirdly teachers, afterwards powers, afterwards gifts of healings, helpings, governings, divers kinds of tongues; 29 'are' all apostles? 'are' all prophets? 'are' all teachers? 'are' all powers? 30 have all gifts of healings? do all speak with tongues? do all interpret? 31 and desire earnestly the better gifts; and yet a far excelling way do I shew to you:

Matthew Henry's Commentary on 1 Corinthians 12:12-31

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.

Commentary on 1 Corinthians 12:27-31

(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.