$16 It would be absurd for one member to usurp the place of the rest; xii. 16 body? SECT. therefore I am not of the body; is it indeed for of the body; is it xxiv. this, not any part of the body; or would it have therefore not of the body? reason to represent itself, as, on this account, 1 Cor. an outcast? And if the ear should say, Because 16 And if the ear I am not so visible, so beautiful, so useful as shall say, Because I the am not the eye, I am eye, therefore I am not of the body; is it in- not of the body; is deed, for this reason not of the body? Is it not it therefore not of the a very important and useful part? Yea, is not the body far more perfect, in consequence of the foot, and the ear, being what they respectively are, than it would be, if each of them 17 were another hand, or another eye? For if 17 If the whole the whole body [were,] as it were, an eye;a and body were an eye, a man could look at will, through every pore ; where were the hear ing if the whole where [were] the hearing, that important sense, were hearing, where which admits so much pleasing entertainment were the smelling? and improvement? And if the whole [were] hearing, where [were] the smelling, a sense which though less important than the former, is not destitute of its proper delight and its 18 proper use? But now we see, that God, the great and wise Creator, hath placed the vari- God set the members ous members, every one of them in the body as every one of them in he hath seen fit ; and his inimitable contrivance, pleased him. the body, as it hath and overflowing goodness, is glorified in their 19 variety, and in their arrangement. 18 But now hath body? But if 19 And if they they all were one member, or the members all were all one memof one form and use, where [were] the body? ber, where were the How could it possibly subsist? What a monstrous thing would such a detached member be, if it could be supposed to exist alone? Or if each member were to be transformed into that which might in itself seem most noble, how ruinous to the whole would such a trans20 formation be? But now, as [there are] many 21 20 But now are members, there is in the union of them all, but they many members, ety of sensations and actions. And no one of 21 And the eye If the whole body [were] an eye, &c.] The apostle by this intends probably to insinuate, that, were there no other gifts in the church but those which they so much extolled in some of their teachers, it would be a very great disadvantage to the body. for all have their proper ornament or use ; 317 xxiv. of thee nor again, defended. And again, the head, elevated as it is, SECT. the head to the feet, and so admirably furnished with all the nerves I have no need of and organs planted in it, [cannot say] to the you more feeble, necessary. be less honourable, 1 Cor. most distant and extreme parts, even the feet, xii. 21 22 Nay, much But it may farther be observed here, agree- 22 more, those mem- bly to the point which I have now in view, that bers of the body, the members of the body, which appear to be which seem to be are weaker than the rest, and perhaps are most delicate and tender in their structure, are more abundantly necessary; so that without them the animal functions can by no means be discharg23 And those memed. And so likewise with respect to those 23 bers of the body, which seem to be the more ignoble and dishonwhich we think to ourable [parts] of the body, those we surround upon these we be with more abundant honour, and those which stow more abundant seem our uncomely [parts] have, by virtue of honour, and our un- the dress we put upon them, more abundant comely parts have comeliness than most of the rest. For our 24 comely and graceful [parts] have no need of be24 For our comely ing so adorned, as they appear to greater adparts have no need: vantage uncovered; but God hath so attempered but God hath temper the several parts of the body together, as to give ed the body together, having given more a more abundant honour to that which is so formabundant honour to ed, as rather to appear deficient; for by making that part which lackthe meanest part thus necessary, he hath enti25 That there tled it to the care of the noblest : That so 25 should be no schism there might be no schism in the body,no division in the body; but that of separate interests; but [that] all the memhave the same care bers might have the same care of each other, as one for another. being each an important part of the whole. So that if one member suffer, all the members suffer more abundant come. liness. ed; the members should It Appear to be weaker] Some think Our dishonourable parts, &c.] this refers to the brains, and bowels, which seems, as if he had said, the face, on are very tender, and liable to many disor. which the image of God is particularly ders. Others understand it, of the least stamped, we leave uncovered; but as muscular parts, or veins, arteries, and other for those parts, which decency, or minute channels in the body; the least custom, teaches us to conceal, we obstruction in which would be fatal. If contrive not only to cover, but also as more feeble, be put for less noble, it sug- far as we conveniently can, to adorn by gests a very obvious and important sense, covering. relating to the channels by which nature has provided for throwing off the dregs; which dishonourable as they may seem, are so necessary, that if they be obstructed, intense torment and inevitable death must ensue. d We surround with more abundant honour: τέλοις τιμην περισσότεραν περίπιθεμεν.] Our version by no means expresses the force of the Greek idiom here. 318 And if one member suffer, all the rest suffer with it. 26 And whether SECT with it, and are concerned to remove the xxiv. complaint; or if one member be honoured and one member suffer, adorned, all the members rejoice with it: the fer with it: or one 1 Cor. ornament of one part being looked upon as member be honour xii. 26 27 that of the whole. all the members suf ed, all the members 27 Now ye are Now to apply this to the purpose for which I rejoice with it. introduced it: you are all the body of Christ, and the body of Christ, 28 members [each] in particular. And as God and members in particular. set some in the thirdly hath placed some members in more eminent sta- 28 And God hath • If one member suffer, &c.] Bos, in his Exercitations on this text, has collected many parallel passages from Seneca, and other heathen writers. Helpers-governments, &c.] I think, we can only guess at the meaning of these words; not having principles on which to proceed in fixing them absolutely. I have inserted what seemed to me most probable in the paraphrase. The Author of Miscellanea Sacra thinks, much light is to be derived, by comparing verses 8-10, with verses 28-38, the order in one text corresponding with that of the other; but the order of the same words differ ing in the two places demonstrates the contrary. I have met with no remark here, which seems more pertinent than that of Mons. Amyraut; who thinks, that the same persons might possess many of these gifts, and sustain several of these characters, which were not stated distinct offices; and might be called helpers, in reference to their great dexterity and readiness to help those in distress; and governments, in regard to that genius for business, sagacity in judging the circumstances of affairs, and natural authority in the councils and resolutions of societies, which rendered them fit to preside on such occasions. They should not therefore contend about the best gifts. 319 ers are all workers of miracles ? 30 Have all the gifts of healing do all speak with tongues do all in terpret ? Now as the offices of the church are different, SECT. the gifts by which men are fitted to discharge xxiv. 1 Cor. xii. 29 29 Are all apos- them, are proportionably so. [Are] all the tles are all proph- members or ministers of the church, apostles 28 ets are all teach Yea, [are] all, who are subordinate to them, prophets? Or, [are] all that sort of inferior teachers, whom I observed to stand in the third class? [Have] all those [miraculous] powers, which I have again and again mentioned? Or, 30 to instance only in one of the lowest of them, have all the gifts of healing diseases, in that extraordinary manner in which some have effected it? Yea, do all speak with tongues which they have never learned? Or do all others find themselves able to act in that lower sphere I spoke of before, and to interpret into their native language, or any other, what has been uttered in 31 But covet ear- a tongue to them generally unknown? These 31 nestly the best gifts: things are well worthy your consideration; but and yet shew I unto you a more excellent instead of attending to them, ye contend earnestly about the best or most shining gifts, envying, and it may be, detracting from the superior endowments of others. Yet I shew you a way of the highest excellence, to which it will be your greatest wisdom carefully to attend. way. IMPROVEMENT. 18 THE wisdom and goodness of God, as displayed in the form- versc ation of the human body, is a subject that well deserves our attentive reflection, and humble acknowledgment. All its several parts are useful to the whole; and the most noble cannot upbraid the meanest as an incumbrance. Each has reason to 20 rejoice in its own situation, as well as in the addition of all the rest; and were the lowest placed higher than it is, it would become useless, burdensome, and monstrous. Are all apostles ? &c.] It appears that hre contend earnestly about the best gifts, this invidious temper was not extirpated &c.] I doubt not but this is the just renfrom among the Corinthians, even by this dering of (nλsle va xapioμala ra xpesitova = just and lively expostulation; for Clemens for it seems contradictory to suppose, that Romanus, writing to them many years after the apostle had been shewing them, after, complains of its continued preva- that these gifts were not at their own oplence, as leading them to neglect a due tion, and that they ought not to emulate regard to those presbyters, who were according to Divine direction fixed among them, and to throw them out of their episcopal office. See Clem. Epistle to the Cor. Sect. 44. the gifts of each other, nor to aspire to superiority; he should in effect unsay all again, and give them such contrary advice. 320 SECT. Σχίν. Reflections on the different gifts and offices in the church. Let us acknowledge the same hand in the wise subordination, appointed in civil societies, and in the church of Christ. Let none be discouraged at the low station wherein they are fixed, but rather let all acquiesce in the prudent and gracious disposal of the supreme Lord, and apply themselves to their proper func tions. Let each member consider all the rest with pleasure; and rejoice with thankfulness, in the health and vigour of the other parts, making the proper use of them, and communicating in return its proper services. If any be weak, let all strengthen it. If there be any blemish or imperfection in any part, let all the verse rest tenderly cover it; unless when a regard to the health and 23 happiness of the whole, requires that it should be laid open, and 28 searched in order to its being cured. And upon the whole, so 25 far as we can prevent it, let there be no schism in the body. Alas, that there should be so many breaches and contentions! Let us lament them; let each in his place endeavour to heal them; and unite in a sympathizing care of one another. So shall we best express our regard to our common Head; so shall we, in the remotest consequences, best consult our own interest and honour. Blessed be God, that he hath, in his church, given not only apostles, and prophets, but also pastors and teachers! Adored be that bounty with which he hath scattered down his gifts, whether ordinary or extraordinary, on the children of men. Let all be used, not to the purposes of ostentation, but of edification. And let us be desirous of those whereby we may bear most of the im age of Christ, and may most promote the great design for which he visited this low world of ours, and was pleased to unite his church unto himself, and its several members to each other, in such dear and indissoluble bonds. SECT. 1 Cor. SECT. XXV. To engage the Corinthians to cultivate charity, as more excellent and important than any of those gifts about which they were so ready to contend, the apostle gives a most lovely description it; which he concludes with a reflection on its perpetual duration, in which it exceeds even the graces of faith and hope. 1 Cor. XIII. throughout. I 1 CORINTHIANS XIII. 1. HAVE been urging you to pursue something more excellent than any of those gifts about which some among you have been so xiii. 1 ready to contend; and I have recommended it as a more excellent way. That of which I speak, is the incomparable and Divine grace of LOVE; which indeed is not only of the highest |