1 Corinthians 12:19

19 and 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 the whole hearing, where the smelling?

18 and now, God did set the members each one of them in the body, according as He willed,

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

20 and now, indeed, [are] many members, and one body;

21 and an eye is not able to say to the hand, `I have no need of thee;' nor again the head to the feet, `I have no need of you.'