1 Corinthians 12

15. The humbler members ought not to disparage themselves, or to be disparaged by others more noble ( 1 Corinthians 12:21 1 Corinthians 12:22 ).
foot . . . hand--The humble speaks of the more honorable member which most nearly resembles itself: so the "ear" of the "eye" (the nobler and more commanding member, Numbers 10:31 ), ( 1 Corinthians 12:16 ). As in life each compares himself with those whom he approaches nearest in gifts, not those far superior. The foot and hand represent men of active life; the ear and eye, those of contemplative life.

17. Superior as the eye is, it would not do if it were the sole member to the exclusion of the rest.

18. now--as the case really is.
every one--each severally.

19. where were the body--which, by its very idea, "hath many members" ( 1 Corinthians 12:12 1 Corinthians 12:14 ), [ALFORD].

20. now--as the case really is: in contrast to the supposition ( 1 Corinthians 12:19 ; compare 1 Corinthians 12:18 ).
many members--mutually dependent.

21. The higher cannot dispense with the lower members.

22. more feeble--more susceptible of injury: for example, the brain, the belly, the eye. Their very feebleness, so far from doing away with the need for them, calls forth our greater care for their preservation, as being felt "necessary."

23. less honourable--"We think" the feet and the belly "less honorable," though not really so in the nature of things.
bestow . . . honour--putting shoes on (Margin) the feet, and clothes to cover the belly.
uncomely parts--the secret parts: the poorest, though unclad in the rest of the body, cover these.

24. tempered . . . together--on the principle of mutual compensation.
to that part which lacked--to the deficient part [ALFORD], ( 1 Corinthians 12:23 ).

25. no schism--(compare 1 Corinthians 12:21 )--no disunion; referring to the "divisions" noticed ( 1 Corinthians 11:18 ).
care one for another--that is, in behalf of one another.

26. And--Accordingly.
all . . . suffer with it--"When a thorn enters the heel, the whole body feels it, and is concerned: the back bends, the belly and thighs contract themselves, the hands come forward and draw out the thorn, the head stoops, and the eyes regard the affected member with intense gaze" [CHRYSOSTOM].
rejoice with it--"When the head is crowned, the whole man feels honored, the mouth expresses, and the eyes look, gladness" [CHRYSOSTOM].

27. members in particular--that is, severally members of it. Each church is in miniature what the whole aggregate of churches is collectively, "the body of Christ" (compare 1 Corinthians 3:16 ): and its individual components are members, every one in his assigned place.

28. set . . . in the church--as He has "set the members . . . in the body" ( 1 Corinthians 12:18 ).
first apostles--above even the prophets. Not merely the Twelve, but others are so called, for example, Barnabas, &c. ( Romans 16:7 ).
teachers--who taught, for the most part, truths already revealed; whereas the prophets made new revelations and spoke all their prophesyings under the Spirit's influence. As the teachers had the "word of knowledge," so the prophets "the word of wisdom" ( 1 Corinthians 12:8 ). Under "teachers" are included "evangelists and pastors."
miracles--literally, "powers" ( 1 Corinthians 12:10 ):ranked below "teachers," as the function of teaching is more edifying, though less dazzling than working miracles.
helps, governments--lower and higher departments of "ministrations" ( 1 Corinthians 12:5 ); as instances of the former, deacons whose office it was to help in the relief of the poor, and in baptizing and preaching, subordinate to higher ministers ( Acts 6:1-10 , 8:5-17 ); also, others who helped with their time and means, in the Lord's cause (compare 1 Corinthians 13:13 , Numbers 11:17 ). The Americans similarly use "helps" for "helpers." And, as instances of the latter, presbyters, or bishops, whose office it was to govern the Church ( 1 Timothy 5:17 , Hebrews 13:17 Hebrews 13:24 ). These officers, though now ordinary and permanent, were originally specially endowed with the Spirit for their office, whence they are here classified with other functions of an inspired character. Government (literally, "guiding the helm" of affairs), as being occupied with external things, notwithstanding the outward status it gives, is ranked by the Spirit with the lower functions. Compare "He that giveth" (answering to "helps")--"he that ruleth" (answering to "governments") ( Romans 12:8 ). Translate, literally, "Helpings, governings" [ALFORD].
diversities of tongues--( 1 Corinthians 12:10 ). "Divers kinds of tongues."

29. Are all?--Surely not.

31. covet earnestly--Greek, "emulously desire." Not in the spirit of discontented "coveting." The Spirit "divides to every man severally as He will" ( 1 Corinthians 12:1 ); but this does not prevent men earnestly seeking, by prayer and watchfulness, and cultivation of their faculties, the greatest gifts. BEZA explains, "Hold in the highest estimation"; which accords with the distinction in his view ( 1 Corinthians 14:1 ) between "follow after charity--zealously esteem spiritual gifts"; also with ( 1 Corinthians 12:11 1 Corinthians 12:18 ) the sovereign will with which the Spirit distributes the gifts, precluding individuals from desiring gifts not vouchsafed to them. But
the best gifts--Most of the oldest manuscripts read, "the greatest gifts."
and yet--Greek, "and moreover." Besides recommending your zealous desire for the greatest gifts, I am about to show you a something still more excellent (literally, "a way most way-like") to desire, "the way of love" (compare 1 Corinthians 14:1 ). This love, or "charity," includes both "faith" and "hope" ( 1 Corinthians 13:7 ), and bears the same fruits ( 1 Corinthians 13:1-13 ) as the ordinary and permanent fruits of the Spirit ( Galatians 5:22-24 ). Thus "long-suffering," compare 1 Corinthians 12:4 ; "faith," 1 Corinthians 12:7 ; "joy," 1 Corinthians 12:6 ; "meekness," 1 Corinthians 12:5 ; "goodness," 1 Corinthians 12:5 ; "gentleness," 1 Corinthians 12:4 (the Greek is the same for "is kind"). It is the work of the Holy Spirit, and consists in love to God, on account of God's love in Christ to us, and as a consequence, love to man, especially to the brethren in Christ ( Romans 5:5 , 15:30 ). This is more to be desired than gifts ( Luke 10:20 ).