1 Corinthians 12:26

26 And if one part is suffering, every other part suffers with it; or if one part is receiving special honor, every other part shares in the joy.

1 Corinthians 12:26 Meaning and Commentary

1 Corinthians 12:26

And whether one member suffer
Pain; even the meanest, lowest, and most distant, as the foot or hand, toe or finger: all the members suffer with it;
are more or less affected therewith, and bear part of the distress; as is easily discerned, by their different forms and motions on such an occasion: so when anyone member of the mystical body is in affliction, whether inward or outward, of body or mind, the rest are, or should be, affected with it, condole, sympathize, help, and assist; and remember them that are in bonds, as bound with them, as if they themselves were in bonds, and them that suffer adversity, whether spiritual or temporal, as being in the body, not only in the flesh, but as being part of the body, the church; and therefore should weep with them that weep, and bear a part with them in their sorrows. The Jews have a saying F6, that

``if one brother dies, all the brethren grieve; and if one of a society dies, (hlwk hrwbhh lk gadt) , "the whole society grieves";''
and also another F7,
``that everyone that afflicts himself, (rwbyuh Me) , "with the congregations", is worthy to see or enjoy the comfort of the congregation or church;''
or one member be honoured;
by being set in the highest place, and employed to the greatest usefulness, or by being most richly and beautifully clothed and adorned: all the members rejoice with it;
as sharing in the honour, Or benefit of it: so if one member of the church of Christ is honoured with an high office, with great gifts, with a large measure of grace, spiritual light, knowledge, and experience, with great discoveries of the love of God, with the presence of Christ, and the communion of the Holy Ghost, or with the good things of this life, and an heart to make use of them for the interest of religion, the other members rejoice at it; for so it becomes the saints to rejoice with them that rejoice, and be glad, both at the temporal and spiritual prosperity of each other: and upon the whole it is clear, that the meanest have no reason to be discouraged, nor the highest and greatest to be proud and elated.
FOOTNOTES:

F6 T. Bab. Sabbat, fol. 105. 2. & 106. 1. Vid. Maimon. Hilch. Ebel, c. 13. sect. 12. & Seder Olam Rabba, p. 9.
F7 T. Bab. Taanith. fol. 11. 1.

1 Corinthians 12:26 In-Context

24 But it was God who built up the body, and bestowed more abundant honor on the part that felt the need,
25 that there might be no disunion in the body, but that all the members might entertain the same anxious care for one another's welfare.
26 And if one part is suffering, every other part suffers with it; or if one part is receiving special honor, every other part shares in the joy.
27 As for you, you are the body of Christ, and individually you are members of it.
28 And by God's appointment there are in the Church--first Apostles, secondly Prophets, thirdly teachers. Then come miraculous powers, and then ability to cure diseases or render loving service, or powers of organization, or varieties of the gift of `tongues.'
The Weymouth New Testament is in the public domain.