1 Corinthians 12:18

18 But as it is, 1God arranged the members in the body, each one of them, 2as he chose.

1 Corinthians 12:18 Meaning and Commentary

1 Corinthians 12:18

But now hath God set the members
The members of a natural body, as they are all made and fashioned by God in the form they be, so they are each of them set by him in the place they are: everyone of them in the body as it hath pleased him;
according to his sovereign will, without consulting any; and each stands in the best situation and position they could be put, and for the greatest service and usefulness to the whole: so God, and not man, hath set every member in the mystical body, the church, in such a place and part of it, as he himself thought fit; some in a higher, others in a lower station, but all for the good of the body; and therefore each member ought to be content with his place, gift, and usefulness, be they what they will; since it is the wise counsel and sovereign pleasure of God, who works all things after the counsel of his own will, that so it should be.

1 Corinthians 12:18 In-Context

16 And if the ear should say, "Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body," that would not make it any less a part of the body.
17 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?
18 But as it is, God arranged the members in the body, each one of them, as he chose.
19 If all were a single member, where would the body be?
20 As it is, there are many parts, yet one body.

Cross References 2

  • 1. ver. 28
  • 2. ver. 11; [1 Corinthians 3:5; Romans 12:3]
The English Standard Version is published with the permission of Good News Publishers.