1 Corinthians 12:17 kjv
If the whole body were an eye, where were the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where were the smelling?
1 Corinthians 12:17 nkjv
If the whole body were an eye, where would be the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where would be the smelling?
1 Corinthians 12:17 niv
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?
1 Corinthians 12:17 esv
If the whole body were an eye, where would be the sense of hearing? If the whole body were an ear, where would be the sense of smell?
1 Corinthians 12:17 nlt
If the whole body were an eye, how would you hear? Or if your whole body were an ear, how would you smell anything?
1 Corinthians 12 17 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Cor 12:12 | For as the body is one and has many members, but all the members of that one body, being many, are one body, so also is Christ. | Unity of believers in Christ |
| Rom 12:4-5 | For as we have many members in one body, but all the members have not the same office, so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another. | Interdependence of believers |
| Gal 3:28 | There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus. | Unity transcending divisions |
| Eph 4:4 | There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called in one hope of your calling. | Foundation of church unity |
| Eph 4:15-16 | That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; but speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ: from whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of the operation of his own proper function, may make increase of itself in love. | Body's growth and function |
| Col 1:18 | And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence. | Christ as the head |
| Rom 6:3-5 | Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized unto Jesus Christ were baptized unto his death? Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. If we have been united with him in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection. | Baptism signifies unity with Christ |
| Phil 2:1-2 | If there is therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and mercy, fulfil ye my joy by being like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. | Call to unity of mind |
| 1 Cor 10:17 | For there is one bread, we who are many are one body; for we all partake of that one bread. | Communion expresses unity |
| Heb 12:22-23 | But ye are come unto mount Zion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels, to the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect. | The heavenly assembly of believers |
| 1 Cor 6:19 | What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? | Believers as temples of the Spirit |
| John 17:21-23 | Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word; that they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me. And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one: I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me. | Christ's prayer for unity |
| Eph 5:30 | For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones. | Our union with Christ |
| Acts 4:32 | And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul: neither said any of them that ought of the things which he possessed was his own; but they had all things common. | Early church unity and sharing |
| Rom 12:6 | Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith. | Diversity of gifts within unity |
| 1 Cor 12:1 | Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I would not have you ignorant. | Introduction to spiritual gifts |
| 1 Cor 12:11 | But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will. | The Holy Spirit as the source of gifts |
| 1 Cor 12:27 | Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular. | Direct identification of believers with the body |
| Eph 4:16 | That the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of the operation of his own proper function, may make increase of itself in love. | Healthy function and growth of the body |
| 1 Cor 12:14-20 | For the body is not one member, but many. If the foot shall say, Because I am not the hand, I am no part of the body; is it therefore no part of the body? And if the ear shall say, Because I am not an eye, I am no part of the body; is it therefore no part of the body? If the whole body were an eye, where were the hearing? If the whole body were an ear, where were the smelling? 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? But now are they many members, yet but one body. | Elaborating on the body analogy |
1 Corinthians 12 verses
1 Corinthians 12 17 Meaning
The body is a singular entity, even though it comprises many different parts. This emphasizes unity within diversity. Just as the human body cannot function without all its parts, the church, the body of Christ, cannot thrive without the unique spiritual gifts each member contributes.
1 Corinthians 12 17 Context
This verse is part of the twelfth chapter of 1 Corinthians, where the Apostle Paul addresses the issue of spiritual gifts within the Corinthian church. The Corinthian believers, influenced by their pagan past, seemed to be exhibiting disorder and pride regarding their spiritual gifts, possibly emphasizing spectacular or publicly evident manifestations. Paul's aim in this chapter is to correct this by explaining that spiritual gifts are diverse, sovereignly given by the Holy Spirit, and all are intended to serve a common purpose: the building up of the body of Christ. He uses the analogy of the human body to illustrate the interdependence and essential unity of believers, despite their varied gifts and roles.
1 Corinthians 12 17 Word Analysis
Εἰ (ei): "If" - A conditional particle, introducing a hypothetical scenario.
δὲ (de): "But" / "Now" - A conjunction that connects or contrasts clauses, indicating a transition or emphasis.
εἰ (ei): "If" - Repeats the conditional particle, reinforcing the hypothetical.
τὸ (to): "The" - The definite article, referring to a specific entity.
σῶμα (sōma): "Body" - Refers to the physical human body. In this context, it’s an analogy for the Church. The Greek word "sōma" denotes a complete, unified whole.
ἕν (hen): "One" - Emphasizes singularity and unity.
ἐστιν (estin): "Is" - The third-person singular present indicative of the verb "to be."
καὶ (kai): "And" - A conjunction joining words, phrases, or clauses.
μέλη (melē): "Members" / "Limbs" - Refers to the individual parts of the body. It carries the sense of being a part of a larger organic whole. The plural form highlights the multitude within unity.
πολλά (polla): "Many" - Indicates a large number, contrasting with the singular nature of the body.
Word Group Analysis:
- "εἰ δὲ τὸ σῶμα ἕν ἐστιν, πολλὰ δὲ μέλη" (ei de to sōma hen estin, polla de melē): This phrase beautifully encapsulates the central paradox Paul is developing. "If the body is one, and yet has many members." It sets up the foundational analogy of the human body. The body is intrinsically one, an integrated unit. Yet, it is composed of many distinct and different parts. This diversity is not a contradiction to its unity but is essential to its unity and functionality.
1 Corinthians 12 17 Bonus Section
The analogy of the body was well-understood in the ancient world. Philosophical and medical texts often discussed the body's structure and the interdependence of its parts. Paul masterfully leverages this common understanding to convey a spiritual truth. The deliberate structure, emphasizing the "one" body followed by the "many" members, primes the reader for the subsequent argument that every member is necessary and belongs to the whole, preventing arrogance and division among the Corinthians. The emphasis on "many members" directly counters any temptation for individuals or factions within the church to feel insignificant or to exalt themselves independently of the corporate body.
1 Corinthians 12 17 Commentary
This verse establishes a foundational principle for understanding the Church. Just as a single human body is composed of numerous distinct, yet interconnected, parts, so too the body of Christ, the Church, is made up of many individual believers. Each believer, with their unique spiritual gift, is a necessary component of the whole. The analogy serves to correct any thinking that might isolate or exalt one gift or one person above others. It promotes a deep sense of unity, highlighting that the variety of members (believers with different gifts) does not break the fundamental oneness of the body, but rather constitutes its very nature and purpose. This mutual dependence is vital for the health and effective functioning of the Church.