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1 Corinthians 12:21

New Testament Epistle (Pauline) ASV (1901)

What does 1 Corinthians 12:21 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “And the eye cannot say to the hand, I have no need of thee: or again the head to the feet, I have no need of you.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

And the eye cannot say to the hand, I have no need of thee: or again the head to the feet, I have no need of you.
1 Corinthians 12:21 — American Standard Version

Context — 1 Corinthians 12

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
18But now hath God set the members each one of them in the body, even as it pleased him.
19And if they were all one member, where were the body?
20But now they are many members, but one body.
21And the eye cannot say to the hand, I have no need of thee: or again the head to the feet, I have no need of you.
22Nay, much rather, those members of the body which seem to be more feeble are necessary:
23and those [parts] of the body, which we think to be less honorable, upon these we bestow more abundant honor; and our uncomely [parts] have more abundant comeliness;
24whereas our comely [parts] have no need: but God tempered the body together, giving more abundant honor to that [part] which lacked;
← 1 Corinthians 12:201 Corinthians 12:22 →
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What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“And the eye cannot say unto the hand, etc.] Every member of the natural body is useful and necessary. The eye, the seat of the sense of seeing, cannot say to the communicating and working hand, I have no need of thee: I can do without thee: so the seers and overseers of the church, the ministers of the Gospel, cannot say to the liberal and munificent hands, we have no need of you; for as the one stand in need of the light, instruction, comfort, advice, and direction of the other, so the other stand in need of communication from them; and as God has made it a duty, that he that is taught in the word should communicate to him that teacheth in all good things; and as it is his ordinance that…”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“The higher cannot dispense with the lower members.”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“And the eye cannot say unto the hand ... - The hand in its place is as needful as the eye; and the feet as the head. Nay, the eye and the head could not perform their appropriate functions, or would be in a great measure useless but for the aid of the hands and feet. Each is useful in its proper place. So in the church. Those that are most talented and most richly endowed with gifts, cannot say to those less so, that there is no need of their aid. All are useful in their place. Nay, those who are most richly endowed could very imperfectly perform their duties without the aid and cooperation of those of more humble attainments. return to 'Top of Page'”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“Nor the head - The highest part of all. To the foot - The very lowest. 1 Corinthians 12:22”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“Num 10:31, Num 10:32; Sa1 25:32; Ezr 10:1-5; Neh 4:16-21; Job 29:11 1 Corinthians 12:22”
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Related study paths

Read 1 Corinthians 12 in contextBrowse Greek word studiesOpen this verse in the study reader

Sources and verification