1 Corinthians 12:21 Meaning and Explanation
“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.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →No member, however prominent, may tell another that it has no need of it.
What Does 1 Corinthians 12:21 Mean?
Having comforted the member who feels inferior, Paul now warns the member who feels superior. The eye cannot dismiss the hand, nor the head the feet, as though it could do without them. Self-sufficiency among members is an illusion.
Prominence does not grant independence. The most visible believer still depends on the contributions of the least noticed. To say to a fellow member, 'I have no need of you,' is to misunderstand what a body is. We are bound to one another by design, and no gift, however great, was meant to stand alone.
Frequently Asked Questions About 1 Corinthians 12:21
What does 1 Corinthians 12:21 mean?
No member, however prominent, may tell another that it has no need of it.