1 Corinthians 12:22

22 But much more those that be seen to be the lower members of the body [But much more those that be seen to be more sick, or lower, members of the body], be more needful;

1 Corinthians 12:22 Meaning and Commentary

1 Corinthians 12:22

Nay, much more those members of the body
The apostle, in a beautiful gradation, proceeds to take notice of such parts of the body as are more weak, dishonourable, and uncomely, showing the necessity and usefulness of them: which seem to be more feeble;
than others, do not consist of a strong bony substance, and are not fenced with sinews, as the belly and its intestines: yet these are necessary;
nor could the body be sustained, nourished, and refreshed, without them; so the more weak and feeble saints, whose hearts and hands are to be strengthened, whose infirmities are to be bore, have their usefulness; and the effectual working in the measure of every part, even of the feeble and tender, maketh increase of the body, to the edifying of itself in love: and these God has seen fit, as necessary to call by his grace, and place in the body, that his strength may be made perfect in their weakness, and to confound the mighty; and out of the mouths even of babes and sucklings to ordain strength and praise.

1 Corinthians 12:22 In-Context

20 But now there be many members, but one body.
21 And the eye may not say to the hand [Forsooth the eye shall not be able to say to the hand], I have no need to thy works; or again the head to the feet, Ye be not necessary to me.
22 But much more those that be seen to be the lower members of the body [But much more those that be seen to be more sick, or lower, members of the body], be more needful;
23 and those that we guess to be the unworthier members of the body, to them we give more honour; and those members that be unseemly, have more seemliness. [+and to them that we guess to be unnobler members of the body, we give more honour about; and those members that be unhonest, have more honesty.]
24 For our seemly members have need of none; but God tempered the body, giving more honour to it, to whom it failed, [Forsooth our honest members of none have need; but God tempered the body, giving more worship to it, to whom it failed,]
Copyright © 2001 by Terence P. Noble. For personal use only.