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1 Corinthians 12:17 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?
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If the whole body were an ear, where would the sense of smell be?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/1_corinthians/12.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />If the whole body were an eye, how would you hear? Or if your whole body were an ear, how would you smell anything?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/1_corinthians/12.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />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?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/1_corinthians/12.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />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?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/blb/1_corinthians/12.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a></span><br />If all the body <i>were</i> an eye, where <i>would be</i> the hearing? If all <i>were</i> hearing, where <i>would be</i> the sense of smell?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/1_corinthians/12.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />If the whole body <i>were</i> an eye, where <i>were</i> the hearing? If the whole <i>were</i> hearing, where <i>were</i> the smelling?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/1_corinthians/12.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />If the whole body <i>were</i> an eye, where <i>would be</i> the hearing? If the whole <i>were</i> hearing, where <i>would be</i> the smelling?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/1_corinthians/12.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />If the whole body were an eye, where would the hearing be? If the whole <i>body</i> were hearing, where would the sense of smell be?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/1_corinthians/12.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />If the whole body were an eye, where would the hearing be? If the whole were hearing, where would the sense of smell be?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/1_corinthians/12.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />If the whole body were an eye, where would the hearing be? If the whole were hearing, where would the sense of smell be?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/1_corinthians/12.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />If the whole body were an eye, where would the hearing be? If the whole were hearing, where would the sense of smell be?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/1_corinthians/12.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />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?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/1_corinthians/12.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />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?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/1_corinthians/12.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />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?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/1_corinthians/12.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />If the whole body were an eye, where were the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where were the smelling?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/1_corinthians/12.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />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. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/1_corinthians/12.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />If the whole body were an eye, where were the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where were the smelling?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/1_corinthians/12.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />If the whole body were an eye, how could it hear? If the whole body were an ear, how could it smell?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/1_corinthians/12.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />If the whole body were just an eye, how could it hear? And if it were only an ear, how could it smell? <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/1_corinthians/12.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />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? <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/1_corinthians/12.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />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?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/1_corinthians/12.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />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?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/1_corinthians/12.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />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? <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/1_corinthians/12.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />If the whole body were an eye, where were the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where were the smelling?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wey/1_corinthians/12.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a></span><br />If the whole body were an eye, where would the hearing be? If the whole body were an ear, where would the nostrils be?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/1_corinthians/12.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />If the whole body were an eye, where would the hearing be? If the whole were hearing, where would the smelling be? <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/1_corinthians/12.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />If the whole body [were] an eye, where the hearing? If the whole hearing, where the smelling?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/blb/1_corinthians/12.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a></span><br />If all the body <i>were</i> an eye, where <i>would be</i> the hearing? If all <i>were</i> hearing, where <i>would be</i> the sense of smell?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/1_corinthians/12.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> If the whole body were an eye, where the hearing? if the whole hearing, where the smelling?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/1_corinthians/12.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />If the whole body an eye, where the hearing If the whole hearing, where the smelling?<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/1_corinthians/12.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />If the whole body were the eye, where would be the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where would be the smelling? <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/1_corinthians/12.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />If the whole body were the eye, how would it hear? If the whole were hearing, how would it smell?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/1_corinthians/12.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />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?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/1_corinthians/12.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />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?<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/1_corinthians/12.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />If the whole body were eyes, where would hearing be? And if the whole were hearing, where would smelling be?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/aramaic-plain-english/1_corinthians/12.htm">Aramaic Bible in Plain English</a></span><br />For if all the body were an eye, where would the hearing be? And if it all were hearing, how would there be smell?<div class="vheading2"><b>NT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/anderson/1_corinthians/12.htm">Anderson New Testament</a></span><br />If the whole body were an eye, where were the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where were the smelling?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/godbey/1_corinthians/12.htm">Godbey New Testament</a></span><br />If the eye were the whole body, where is the hearing? If the hearing where the whole body, where is the smelling?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/haweis/1_corinthians/12.htm">Haweis New Testament</a></span><br />If the whole body were eye, where were the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where were the smelling?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/mace/1_corinthians/12.htm">Mace New Testament</a></span><br />if the whole body were an eye, where would be the hearing? if the whole were hearing, where would be the smelling?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wey/1_corinthians/12.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a></span><br />If the whole body were an eye, where would the hearing be? If the whole body were an ear, where would the nostrils be?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/worrell/1_corinthians/12.htm">Worrell New Testament</a></span><br />If the whole body <i>were</i> an eye, where <i>were</i> the hearing? If the whole <i>body were</i> hearing, where were the smelling?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/worsley/1_corinthians/12.htm">Worsley New Testament</a></span><br />If the whole body <i>were an</i> eye, where <i>were</i> the hearing? <i>and</i> if the whole <i>were</i> hearing, where <i>were</i> the smelling?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/1_corinthians/12-17.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/g-wZWoK_LZU?start=2621" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/1_corinthians/12.htm">The Body of Christ</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">16</span>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. <span class="reftext">17</span><span class="highl"><a href="/greek/1487.htm" title="1487: ei (Conj) -- If. A primary particle of conditionality; if, whether, that, etc.">If</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: to (Art-NNS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.">the</a> <a href="/greek/3650.htm" title="3650: holon (Adj-NNS) -- All, the whole, entire, complete. A primary word; whole or all, i.e. Complete, especially as noun or adverb.">whole</a> <a href="/greek/4983.htm" title="4983: sōma (N-NNS) -- Body, flesh; the body of the Church. From sozo; the body, used in a very wide application, literally or figuratively.">body were</a> <a href="/greek/3788.htm" title="3788: ophthalmos (N-NMS) -- The eye; fig: the mind's eye. From optanomai; the eye; by implication, vision; figuratively, envy.">an eye,</a> <a href="/greek/4226.htm" title="4226: pou (Adv) -- Genitive case of an interrogative pronoun pos otherwise obsolete; as adverb of place; at what locality.">where</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: hē (Art-NFS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.">would the</a> <a href="/greek/189.htm" title="189: akoē (N-NFS) -- Hearing, faculty of hearing, ear; report, rumor. From akouo; hearing.">sense of hearing be?</a> <a href="/greek/1487.htm" title="1487: ei (Conj) -- If. A primary particle of conditionality; if, whether, that, etc.">If</a> <a href="/greek/3650.htm" title="3650: holon (Adj-NNS) -- All, the whole, entire, complete. A primary word; whole or all, i.e. Complete, especially as noun or adverb.">the whole body</a> <a href="/greek/189.htm" title="189: akoē (N-NFS) -- Hearing, faculty of hearing, ear; report, rumor. From akouo; hearing.">were an ear,</a> <a href="/greek/4226.htm" title="4226: pou (Adv) -- Genitive case of an interrogative pronoun pos otherwise obsolete; as adverb of place; at what locality.">where</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: hē (Art-NFS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.">would the</a> <a href="/greek/3750.htm" title="3750: osphrēsis (N-NFS) -- The sense of smell, smelling. From a derivative of ozo; smell.">sense of smell be?</a> </span> <span class="reftext">18</span>But in fact, God has arranged the members of the body, every one of them, according to His design.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/12-4.htm">Romans 12:4-5</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ephesians/4-16.htm">Ephesians 4:16</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ephesians/4-11.htm">Ephesians 4:11-12</a></span><br />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,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_corinthians/12-14.htm">1 Corinthians 12:14-16</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_corinthians/12-18.htm">1 Corinthians 12:18-20</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_corinthians/12-21.htm">1 Corinthians 12:21-25</a></span><br />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, ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ephesians/4-4.htm">Ephesians 4:4-6</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/colossians/1-18.htm">Colossians 1:18</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/colossians/2-19.htm">Colossians 2:19</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_peter/4-10.htm">1 Peter 4:10-11</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/12-6.htm">Romans 12:6-8</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ephesians/2-21.htm">Ephesians 2:21-22</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ephesians/1-22.htm">Ephesians 1:22-23</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_corinthians/10-17.htm">1 Corinthians 10:17</a></span><br />Because there is one loaf, we who are many are one body; for we all partake of the one loaf.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_corinthians/1-10.htm">1 Corinthians 1:10</a></span><br />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.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">If the whole body were an eye, where were the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where were the smelling?</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/1_corinthians/12-21.htm">1 Corinthians 12:21,29</a></b></br> 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… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/1_samuel/9-9.htm">1 Samuel 9:9</a></b></br> (Beforetime in Israel, when a man went to inquire of God, thus he spake, Come, and let us go to the seer: for <i>he that is</i> now <i>called</i> a Prophet was beforetime called a Seer.)</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/94-9.htm">Psalm 94:9</a></b></br> He that planted the ear, shall he not hear? he that formed the eye, shall he not see?</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/1_corinthians/12-16.htm">Body</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/12-16.htm">Ear</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/12-16.htm">Eye</a> <a href="/romans/11-8.htm">Hearing</a> <a href="/amos/4-10.htm">Nostrils</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/12-10.htm">Sense</a> <a href="/john/12-3.htm">Smell</a> <a href="/john/11-39.htm">Smelling</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/12-6.htm">Whole</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/1_corinthians/12-18.htm">Body</a> <a href="/2_corinthians/6-2.htm">Ear</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/12-21.htm">Eye</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/14-5.htm">Hearing</a> <a href="/genesis/2-7.htm">Nostrils</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/12-30.htm">Sense</a> <a href="/2_corinthians/2-16.htm">Smell</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/4-28.htm">Smelling</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/14-23.htm">Whole</a><div class="vheading2">1 Corinthians 12</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/1_corinthians/12-1.htm">Spiritual gifts,</a></span><br><span class="reftext">4. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/1_corinthians/12-4.htm">are diverse,</a></span><br><span class="reftext">7. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/1_corinthians/12-7.htm">yet to profit all.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">8. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/1_corinthians/12-8.htm">And to that end are diversely bestowed;</a></span><br><span class="reftext">12. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/1_corinthians/12-12.htm">as the members of a natural body tend all to the mutual decency,</a></span><br><span class="reftext">22. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/1_corinthians/12-22.htm">service,</a></span><br><span class="reftext">26. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/1_corinthians/12-26.htm">and helpfulness of the same body;</a></span><br><span class="reftext">27. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/1_corinthians/12-27.htm">so we should do for one another, to make up the body of Christ.</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-728x90-ATF --> <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-300x250-ATF --> <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-728x90-BTF --> <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-300x250-BTF --> <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-728x90-BTF2 --> <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/1_corinthians/12.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/1_corinthians/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/1_corinthians/12.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>If the whole body were an eye,</b><br>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 <a href="/matthew/6-22.htm">Matthew 6:22-23</a>, where the eye is described as the lamp of the body.<p><b>where would the sense of hearing be?</b><br>This rhetorical question highlights the necessity of different functions and gifts within the church. Hearing, as a distinct sense, represents another essential aspect of the body's operation. In the biblical context, hearing is often associated with obedience and understanding God's word, as seen in <a href="/romans/10-17.htm">Romans 10:17</a>, where faith comes from hearing the message of Christ. The absence of hearing would imply a lack of receptivity to God's voice and guidance, underscoring the need for diverse spiritual gifts to ensure the church's holistic growth and function.<p><b>If the whole body were an ear,</b><br>Continuing the metaphor, Paul stresses the absurdity of a body composed entirely of one part. The ear, while crucial for hearing, cannot perform the tasks of other body parts. This reflects the Corinthian church's struggle with valuing certain spiritual gifts over others, leading to division and envy. The ear's role in hearing can be linked to the importance of discernment and understanding within the church, as seen in <a href="/proverbs/2-2.htm">Proverbs 2:2</a>, which encourages inclining the ear to wisdom. The emphasis here is on the need for balance and appreciation of all gifts and roles within the body of Christ.<p><b>where would the sense of smell be?</b><br>The sense of smell, represented by the nose, is another vital function that contributes to the body's overall well-being. In the biblical context, smell is often associated with offerings and sacrifices pleasing to God, as seen in <a href="/genesis/8-21.htm">Genesis 8:21</a>, where God is pleased with the aroma of Noah's sacrifice. This connection underscores the idea that each member's unique contribution is valuable and necessary for the church's spiritual health and worship. The rhetorical question serves to remind the Corinthians that no single gift or role is sufficient on its own, and the diversity of gifts is essential for the church to fulfill its mission effectively.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/p/paul_the_apostle.htm">Paul the Apostle</a></b><br>The author of 1 Corinthians, Paul is addressing the church in Corinth, providing guidance on spiritual gifts and unity within the body of Christ.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_church_in_corinth.htm">The Church in Corinth</a></b><br>A diverse and often divided congregation in the ancient city of Corinth, known for its cultural and spiritual challenges.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_body_of_christ.htm">The Body of Christ</a></b><br>A metaphor used by Paul to describe the church, emphasizing the unity and diversity of its members, each with unique gifts and roles.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/u/unity_in_diversity.htm">Unity in Diversity</a></b><br>The church is made up of diverse members, each with unique gifts and roles. This diversity is essential for the church to function effectively.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/v/value_of_every_member.htm">Value of Every Member</a></b><br>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.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/i/interdependence.htm">Interdependence</a></b><br>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.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/a/avoiding_comparison.htm">Avoiding Comparison</a></b><br>Comparing ourselves to others can lead to discontentment and division. Instead, we should celebrate the unique gifts God has given each person.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/s/stewardship_of_gifts.htm">Stewardship of Gifts</a></b><br>We are called to be good stewards of the gifts God has given us, using them to serve others and glorify God.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_1_corinthians_12.htm">Top 10 Lessons from 1 Corinthians 12</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_is_genuine_love_without_hypocrisy.htm">Is your reward in heaven truly great?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_do_jesus'_life_and_teachings_fulfill_god.htm">How does Jesus' life and teachings fulfill God's promise?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_do_you_promote_peace_daily.htm">Why worship idols instead of the true God?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_many_levels_of_heaven_are_there.htm">How many levels of heaven are there?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/1_corinthians/12.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(17) <span class= "bld">If the whole body were an eye.</span>--Here is shown how absurd it would be for the body to be merely one member, and in <a href="/1_corinthians/12-19.htm" title="And if they were all one member, where were the body?">1Corinthians 12:19</a> 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.<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/1_corinthians/12.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 17.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">If the whole body were an eye,</span> 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. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/1_corinthians/12-17.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Greek</div><span class="word">If</span><br /><span class="grk">εἰ</span> <span class="translit">(ei)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunction<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_1487.htm">Strong's 1487: </a> </span><span class="str2">If. A primary particle of conditionality; if, whether, that, etc.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the</span><br /><span class="grk">τὸ</span> <span class="translit">(to)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article - Nominative Neuter Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> </span><span class="str2">The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">whole</span><br /><span class="grk">ὅλον</span> <span class="translit">(holon)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adjective - Nominative Neuter Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_3650.htm">Strong's 3650: </a> </span><span class="str2">All, the whole, entire, complete. A primary word; 'whole' or 'all', i.e. Complete, especially as noun or adverb.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">body [were]</span><br /><span class="grk">σῶμα</span> <span class="translit">(sōma)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - Nominative Neuter Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_4983.htm">Strong's 4983: </a> </span><span class="str2">Body, flesh; the body of the Church. From sozo; the body, used in a very wide application, literally or figuratively.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">an eye,</span><br /><span class="grk">ὀφθαλμός</span> <span class="translit">(ophthalmos)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_3788.htm">Strong's 3788: </a> </span><span class="str2">The eye; fig: the mind's eye. From optanomai; the eye; by implication, vision; figuratively, envy.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">where</span><br /><span class="grk">ποῦ</span> <span class="translit">(pou)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adverb<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_4226.htm">Strong's 4226: </a> </span><span class="str2">Genitive case of an interrogative pronoun pos otherwise obsolete; as adverb of place; at what locality.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">[would] the</span><br /><span class="grk">ἡ</span> <span class="translit">(hē)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article - Nominative Feminine Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> </span><span class="str2">The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">sense of hearing [be]?</span><br /><span class="grk">ἀκοή</span> <span class="translit">(akoē)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - Nominative Feminine Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_189.htm">Strong's 189: </a> </span><span class="str2">Hearing, faculty of hearing, ear; report, rumor. From akouo; hearing.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">If</span><br /><span class="grk">εἰ</span> <span class="translit">(ei)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunction<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_1487.htm">Strong's 1487: </a> </span><span class="str2">If. A primary particle of conditionality; if, whether, that, etc.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">[the] whole [body]</span><br /><span class="grk">ὅλον</span> <span class="translit">(holon)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adjective - Nominative Neuter Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_3650.htm">Strong's 3650: </a> </span><span class="str2">All, the whole, entire, complete. A primary word; 'whole' or 'all', i.e. Complete, especially as noun or adverb.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">[were] an ear,</span><br /><span class="grk">ἀκοή</span> <span class="translit">(akoē)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - Nominative Feminine Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_189.htm">Strong's 189: </a> </span><span class="str2">Hearing, faculty of hearing, ear; report, rumor. From akouo; hearing.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">where</span><br /><span class="grk">ποῦ</span> <span class="translit">(pou)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adverb<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_4226.htm">Strong's 4226: </a> </span><span class="str2">Genitive case of an interrogative pronoun pos otherwise obsolete; as adverb of place; at what locality.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">[would] the</span><br /><span class="grk">ἡ</span> <span class="translit">(hē)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article - Nominative Feminine Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> </span><span class="str2">The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">sense of smell [be]?</span><br /><span class="grk">ὄσφρησις</span> <span class="translit">(osphrēsis)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - Nominative Feminine Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_3750.htm">Strong's 3750: </a> </span><span class="str2">The sense of smell, smelling. From a derivative of ozo; smell.</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/1_corinthians/12-17.htm">1 Corinthians 12:17 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/1_corinthians/12-17.htm">1 Corinthians 12:17 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/1_corinthians/12-17.htm">1 Corinthians 12:17 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/1_corinthians/12-17.htm">1 Corinthians 12:17 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/1_corinthians/12-17.htm">1 Corinthians 12:17 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/1_corinthians/12-17.htm">1 Corinthians 12:17 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/1_corinthians/12-17.htm">1 Corinthians 12:17 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/1_corinthians/12-17.htm">1 Corinthians 12:17 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/1_corinthians/12-17.htm">1 Corinthians 12:17 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/1_corinthians/12-17.htm">1 Corinthians 12:17 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/1_corinthians/12-17.htm">NT Letters: 1 Corinthians 12:17 If the whole body were an eye (1 Cor. 1C iC 1Cor i cor icor) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/1_corinthians/12-16.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="1 Corinthians 12:16"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="1 Corinthians 12:16" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/1_corinthians/12-18.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="1 Corinthians 12:18"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="1 Corinthians 12:18" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>