1 Corinthians 12:19

19 But if all were one member, where 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 the hearing? if all hearing, where the smelling?

18 But now God has set the members, each one of them in the body, according as it has pleased [him].

19 But if all were one member, where the body?

20 But now the members [are] many, and the body one.

21 The eye cannot say to the hand, I have not need of thee; or again, the head to the feet, I have not need of you.