1 Corinthians 12:19

19 And if they were all one member, where were the body?

1 Corinthians 12:19 Meaning and Commentary

1 Corinthians 12:19

And if they were all one member
As all eye, or all ear, or all hand, or all foot: where were the body?
where would be the body? it would not be a body consisting of such proper and suitable members, as now it is: so if the community of the saints were either all ministers, or all hearers there would be no body, consisting of different persons, to receive any benefit or usefulness from either; the church of Christ would not be that uniform, useful, and consistent community it is.

1 Corinthians 12:19 In-Context

17 If the whole body were an eye, where were the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where were the smelling?
18 But now hath God set the members each one of them in the body, even as it pleased him.
19 And if they were all one member, where were the body?
20 But now they are many members, but one body.
21 And the eye cannot say to the hand, I have no need of thee: or again the head to the feet, I have no need of you.
The American Standard Version is in the public domain.