King James Version
What Does 1 Corinthians 12:17 Mean?
“If the whole body were an eye, where were the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where were the smelling?”
1 Corinthians 12:17 · KJV
Context
15
If the foot shall say, Because I am not the hand, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body?
16
And if the ear shall say, Because I am not the eye, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body?
17
If the whole body were an eye, where were the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where were the smelling?
18
But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him.
19
And if they were all one member, where were the body?
Commentary
KJV Study CommentaryIf the whole body were an eye, where were the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where were the smelling?—Paul pushes the absurdity to comic extremes: imagine a body composed entirely of one gigantic eyeball—it could see but not hear, smell, taste, or touch. Such a creature would be grotesquely deformed, severely handicapped. The rhetorical question (pou, "where?") emphasizes the loss: the other senses would simply not exist.
Application: if the whole church were prophets, who would administer? If all were evangelists, who would shepherd? If everyone taught, who would listen and learn? Uniformity produces dysfunction. The Corinthians' desire for everyone to possess the prestigious gift (tongues) would create a monstrous church-body. God's wisdom in diverse distribution ensures the body has eyes to see, ears to hear, hands to work, feet to go—all functions necessary for kingdom mission. The church needs contemplatives and activists, teachers and doers, visionaries and administrators.
Application: if the whole church were prophets, who would administer? If all were evangelists, who would shepherd? If everyone taught, who would listen and learn? Uniformity produces dysfunction. The Corinthians' desire for everyone to possess the prestigious gift (tongues) would create a monstrous church-body. God's wisdom in diverse distribution ensures the body has eyes to see, ears to hear, hands to work, feet to go—all functions necessary for kingdom mission. The church needs contemplatives and activists, teachers and doers, visionaries and administrators.
KJV Study — Public Domain
Historical & Cultural Context
Paul's reductio ad absurdum echoes Greco-Roman rhetoric's use of exaggeration to expose faulty reasoning. His hearers, familiar with body-politic analogies, would immediately grasp the lunacy of a single-organ society.
Reflection Questions
- What happens in churches where one gift-type dominates (all teaching, all evangelism, all worship)?
- How can you help your church celebrate gift-diversity rather than pursuing gift-uniformity?
- What 'senses' (gift-types) might be missing or underutilized in your church body?
Original Language Analysis
Greek · 14 wordsὅλον2 of 14
“the whole”
G3650"whole" or "all", i.e., complete (in extent, amount, time or degree), especially (neuter) as noun or adverb
σῶμα4 of 14
“body”
G4983the body (as a sound whole), used in a very wide application, literally or figuratively
ὀφθαλμός5 of 14
“were an eye”
G3788the eye (literally or figuratively); by implication, vision; figuratively, envy (from the jealous side-glance)
ὅλον10 of 14
“the whole”
G3650"whole" or "all", i.e., complete (in extent, amount, time or degree), especially (neuter) as noun or adverb
Study Guide
Historical Context
This verse is found in the book of 1 Corinthians. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.
Theological Significance
1 Corinthians 12:17 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.
Cross-References
Verses related to 1 Corinthians 12:17 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge