1 Corinthians 12:23

23 and upon body parts which we consider less dignified we bestow greater dignity; and the parts that aren't attractive are the ones we make as attractive as we can,

1 Corinthians 12:23 Meaning and Commentary

1 Corinthians 12:23

And those members of the body
As the back parts of it: which we think to be less honourable;
though greatly useful, upon these we bestow more abundant honour;
by clothing them, for a man's garments are his honour and glory; (See Gill on Matthew 6:29), so the poor members of Christ's church, who are thought to be, though they really are not, the less honourable, have the more abundant honour conferred on them by God and Christ: God has chosen the poor of this world; Christ has sent his Gospel to them; these the Spirit calls and sanctifies, and makes them all glorious within; these Christ has given his churches a particular charge to take care of now, and will own them as his brethren at the great day, before angels and men; as he now greatly honours them with his presence, a large experience of his grace, and the supply of his Spirit: and our uncomely parts;
which distinguish sexes, and are appointed for generation; have more abundant comeliness;
by an external covering and ornament, to preserve decency and modesty. I do not know who should be designed by these, unless backsliding believers, who have been suffered to fall into great sins; these are the uncomely parts of the church, who, when made sensible of their evils, are restored again, and received into the church; and a mantle of love is cast over all their failings; and all possible care taken that their faults may not be exposed to the world, that so the name of God, and ways of Christ, may not be blasphemed and evil spoken of.

1 Corinthians 12:23 In-Context

21 So the eye cannot say to the hand, "I don't need you"; or the head to the feet, "I don't need you."

22 On the contrary, the parts of the body that seem to be less important turn out to be all the more necessary;

23 and upon body parts which we consider less dignified we bestow greater dignity; and the parts that aren't attractive are the ones we make as attractive as we can,

24 while our attractive parts have no need for such treatment. Indeed, God has put the body together in such a way that he gives greater dignity to the parts that lack it,

25 So that there will be no disagreements within the body, but rather all the parts will be equally concerned for all the others.