Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version If the whole body were an eye, where would the sense of hearing be? If the whole body were an ear, where would the sense of smell be? New Living Translation If the whole body were an eye, how would you hear? Or if your whole body were an ear, how would you smell anything? English Standard Version If the whole body were an eye, where would be the sense of hearing? If the whole body were an ear, where would be the sense of smell? Berean Standard Bible If the whole body were an eye, where would the sense of hearing be? If the whole body were an ear, where would the sense of smell be? Berean Literal Bible If all the body were an eye, where would be the hearing? If all were hearing, where would be the sense of smell? King James Bible If the whole body were an eye, where were the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where were the smelling? New King James Version If the whole body were an eye, where would be the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where would be the smelling? New American Standard Bible If the whole body were an eye, where would the hearing be? If the whole body were hearing, where would the sense of smell be? NASB 1995 If the whole body were an eye, where would the hearing be? If the whole were hearing, where would the sense of smell be? NASB 1977 If the whole body were an eye, where would the hearing be? If the whole were hearing, where would the sense of smell be? Legacy Standard Bible If the whole body were an eye, where would the hearing be? If the whole were hearing, where would the sense of smell be? Amplified Bible If the whole body were an eye, where would the hearing be? If the whole [body] were an ear, where would the sense of smell be? Christian Standard Bible If the whole body were an eye, where would the hearing be? If the whole body were an ear, where would the sense of smell be? Holman Christian Standard Bible If the whole body were an eye, where would the hearing be? If the whole body were an ear, where would the sense of smell be? American Standard Version If the whole body were an eye, where were the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where were the smelling? Contemporary English Version If our bodies were only an eye, we couldn't hear a thing. And if they were only an ear, we couldn't smell a thing. English Revised Version If the whole body were an eye, where were the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where were the smelling? GOD'S WORD® Translation If the whole body were an eye, how could it hear? If the whole body were an ear, how could it smell? Good News Translation If the whole body were just an eye, how could it hear? And if it were only an ear, how could it smell? International Standard Version If the whole body were an eye, where would the sense of hearing be? If the whole body were an ear, where would the sense of smell be? Majority Standard Bible If the whole body were an eye, where would the sense of hearing be? If the whole body were an ear, where would the sense of smell be? NET Bible If the whole body were an eye, what part would do the hearing? If the whole were an ear, what part would exercise the sense of smell? New Heart English Bible If the whole body were an eye, where would the hearing be? If the whole were an ear, where would the sense of smell be? Webster's Bible Translation If the whole body were an eye, where were the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where were the smelling? Weymouth New Testament If the whole body were an eye, where would the hearing be? If the whole body were an ear, where would the nostrils be? World English Bible If the whole body were an eye, where would the hearing be? If the whole were hearing, where would the smelling be? Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionIf the whole body [were] an eye, where the hearing? If the whole hearing, where the smelling? Berean Literal Bible If all the body were an eye, where would be the hearing? If all were hearing, where would be the sense of smell? Young's Literal Translation If the whole body were an eye, where the hearing? if the whole hearing, where the smelling? Smith's Literal Translation If the whole body an eye, where the hearing If the whole hearing, where the smelling? Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleIf the whole body were the eye, where would be the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where would be the smelling? Catholic Public Domain Version If the whole body were the eye, how would it hear? If the whole were hearing, how would it smell? New American Bible If the whole body were an eye, where would the hearing be? If the whole body were hearing, where would the sense of smell be? New Revised Standard Version If the whole body were an eye, where would the hearing be? If the whole body were hearing, where would the sense of smell be? Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleIf the whole body were eyes, where would hearing be? And if the whole were hearing, where would smelling be? Aramaic Bible in Plain English For if all the body were an eye, where would the hearing be? And if it all were hearing, how would there be smell? NT Translations Anderson New TestamentIf the whole body were an eye, where were the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where were the smelling? Godbey New Testament If the eye were the whole body, where is the hearing? If the hearing where the whole body, where is the smelling? Haweis New Testament If the whole body were eye, where were the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where were the smelling? Mace New Testament if the whole body were an eye, where would be the hearing? if the whole were hearing, where would be the smelling? Weymouth New Testament If the whole body were an eye, where would the hearing be? If the whole body were an ear, where would the nostrils be? Worrell New Testament If the whole body were an eye, where were the hearing? If the whole body were hearing, where were the smelling? Worsley New Testament If the whole body were an eye, where were the hearing? and if the whole were hearing, where were the smelling? Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context The Body of Christ…16And if the ear should say, “Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body,” that would not make it any less a part of the body. 17If the whole body were an eye, where would the sense of hearing be? If the whole body were an ear, where would the sense of smell be? 18But in fact, God has arranged the members of the body, every one of them, according to His design.… Cross References Romans 12:4-5 Just as each of us has one body with many members, and not all members have the same function, / so in Christ we who are many are one body, and each member belongs to one another. Ephesians 4:16 From Him the whole body, fitted and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love through the work of each individual part. Ephesians 4:11-12 And it was He who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, / to equip the saints for works of ministry and to build up the body of Christ, 1 Corinthians 12:14-16 For the body does not consist of one part, but of many. / If the foot should say, “Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body,” that would not make it any less a part of the body. / And if the ear should say, “Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body,” that would not make it any less a part of the body. 1 Corinthians 12:18-20 But in fact, God has arranged the members of the body, every one of them, according to His design. / If they were all one part, where would the body be? / As it is, there are many parts, but one body. 1 Corinthians 12:21-25 The eye cannot say to the hand, “I do not need you.” Nor can the head say to the feet, “I do not need you.” / On the contrary, the parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, / and the parts we consider less honorable, we treat with greater honor. And our unpresentable parts are treated with special modesty, ... Ephesians 4:4-6 There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; / one Lord, one faith, one baptism; / one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. Colossians 1:18 And He is the head of the body, the church; He is the beginning and firstborn from among the dead, so that in all things He may have preeminence. Colossians 2:19 He has lost connection to the head, from whom the whole body, supported and knit together by its joints and ligaments, grows as God causes it to grow. 1 Peter 4:10-11 As good stewards of the manifold grace of God, each of you should use whatever gift he has received to serve one another. / If anyone speaks, he should speak as one conveying the words of God. If anyone serves, he should serve with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be the glory and the power forever and ever. Amen. Romans 12:6-8 We have different gifts according to the grace given us. If one’s gift is prophecy, let him use it in proportion to his faith; / if it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; / if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is giving, let him give generously; if it is leading, let him lead with diligence; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully. Ephesians 2:21-22 In Him the whole building is fitted together and grows into a holy temple in the Lord. / And in Him you too are being built together into a dwelling place for God in His Spirit. Ephesians 1:22-23 And God put everything under His feet and made Him head over everything for the church, / which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all. 1 Corinthians 10:17 Because there is one loaf, we who are many are one body; for we all partake of the one loaf. 1 Corinthians 1:10 I appeal to you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree together, so that there may be no divisions among you and that you may be united in mind and conviction. Treasury of Scripture If the whole body were an eye, where were the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where were the smelling? 1 Corinthians 12:21,29 And the eye cannot say unto the hand, I have no need of thee: nor again the head to the feet, I have no need of you… 1 Samuel 9:9 (Beforetime in Israel, when a man went to inquire of God, thus he spake, Come, and let us go to the seer: for he that is now called a Prophet was beforetime called a Seer.) Psalm 94:9 He that planted the ear, shall he not hear? he that formed the eye, shall he not see? Jump to Previous Body Ear Eye Hearing Nostrils Sense Smell Smelling WholeJump to Next Body Ear Eye Hearing Nostrils Sense Smell Smelling Whole1 Corinthians 12 1. Spiritual gifts,4. are diverse, 7. yet to profit all. 8. And to that end are diversely bestowed; 12. as the members of a natural body tend all to the mutual decency, 22. service, 26. and helpfulness of the same body; 27. so we should do for one another, to make up the body of Christ. If the whole body were an eye, This phrase emphasizes the importance of diversity within the body of Christ, the Church. The metaphor of the body is used to illustrate how each member has a unique role and function. In the context of 1 Corinthians, Paul addresses the Corinthian church's issues with spiritual gifts and divisions. The eye, as a singular organ, cannot fulfill all the functions necessary for the body to operate effectively. This reflects the need for various spiritual gifts and roles within the church community. The imagery of the eye can also be connected to the biblical theme of spiritual insight and vision, as seen in passages like Matthew 6:22-23, where the eye is described as the lamp of the body. where would the sense of hearing be? If the whole body were an ear, where would the sense of smell be? Persons / Places / Events 1. Paul the ApostleThe author of 1 Corinthians, Paul is addressing the church in Corinth, providing guidance on spiritual gifts and unity within the body of Christ. 2. The Church in Corinth A diverse and often divided congregation in the ancient city of Corinth, known for its cultural and spiritual challenges. 3. The Body of Christ A metaphor used by Paul to describe the church, emphasizing the unity and diversity of its members, each with unique gifts and roles. Teaching Points Unity in DiversityThe church is made up of diverse members, each with unique gifts and roles. This diversity is essential for the church to function effectively. Value of Every Member Every member of the church is valuable and has a specific purpose. No gift or role is insignificant, and all contribute to the health of the body. Interdependence Just as the physical body relies on different parts to function, the church relies on the interdependence of its members. We need each other to fulfill God's mission. Avoiding Comparison Comparing ourselves to others can lead to discontentment and division. Instead, we should celebrate the unique gifts God has given each person. Stewardship of Gifts We are called to be good stewards of the gifts God has given us, using them to serve others and glorify God.(17) If the whole body were an eye.--Here is shown how absurd it would be for the body to be merely one member, and in 1Corinthians 12:19 is shown the converse absurdity of the members losing their individuality. There is a corporate body composed of divers members. That is the difference between a dead machine and a living organism.Verse 17. - If the whole body were an eye, etc. In the body there is between the members an identity of common interest and a perfection of separate functions. All are not equal in strength and delicacy, but each is happy, and each is necessary to the well being of all. There could be no better image of the ideal relation of Christians to each other and to the Church. Parallel Commentaries ... Greek Ifεἰ (ei) Conjunction Strong's 1487: If. A primary particle of conditionality; if, whether, that, etc. the τὸ (to) Article - Nominative Neuter Singular Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the. whole ὅλον (holon) Adjective - Nominative Neuter Singular Strong's 3650: All, the whole, entire, complete. A primary word; 'whole' or 'all', i.e. Complete, especially as noun or adverb. body [were] σῶμα (sōma) Noun - Nominative Neuter Singular Strong's 4983: Body, flesh; the body of the Church. From sozo; the body, used in a very wide application, literally or figuratively. an eye, ὀφθαλμός (ophthalmos) Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular Strong's 3788: The eye; fig: the mind's eye. From optanomai; the eye; by implication, vision; figuratively, envy. where ποῦ (pou) Adverb Strong's 4226: Genitive case of an interrogative pronoun pos otherwise obsolete; as adverb of place; at what locality. [would] the ἡ (hē) Article - Nominative Feminine Singular Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the. sense of hearing [be]? ἀκοή (akoē) Noun - Nominative Feminine Singular Strong's 189: Hearing, faculty of hearing, ear; report, rumor. From akouo; hearing. If εἰ (ei) Conjunction Strong's 1487: If. A primary particle of conditionality; if, whether, that, etc. [the] whole [body] ὅλον (holon) Adjective - Nominative Neuter Singular Strong's 3650: All, the whole, entire, complete. A primary word; 'whole' or 'all', i.e. Complete, especially as noun or adverb. [were] an ear, ἀκοή (akoē) Noun - Nominative Feminine Singular Strong's 189: Hearing, faculty of hearing, ear; report, rumor. From akouo; hearing. where ποῦ (pou) Adverb Strong's 4226: Genitive case of an interrogative pronoun pos otherwise obsolete; as adverb of place; at what locality. [would] the ἡ (hē) Article - Nominative Feminine Singular Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the. sense of smell [be]? ὄσφρησις (osphrēsis) Noun - Nominative Feminine Singular Strong's 3750: The sense of smell, smelling. From a derivative of ozo; smell. Links 1 Corinthians 12:17 NIV1 Corinthians 12:17 NLT 1 Corinthians 12:17 ESV 1 Corinthians 12:17 NASB 1 Corinthians 12:17 KJV 1 Corinthians 12:17 BibleApps.com 1 Corinthians 12:17 Biblia Paralela 1 Corinthians 12:17 Chinese Bible 1 Corinthians 12:17 French Bible 1 Corinthians 12:17 Catholic Bible NT Letters: 1 Corinthians 12:17 If the whole body were an eye (1 Cor. 1C iC 1Cor i cor icor) |
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