Now he proves that the members considered lesser are both useful and necessary; for they only seem lesser, but are not so in reality. What then are these members that appear weaker and more dishonorable, yet are necessary? Some say these are the reproductive organs, which are considered dishonorable and uncomely, yet are so necessary that without them there is no life. To them we also bestow greater honor; for a person may be naked in the whole body, but will not allow them to remain uncovered. Others call the eyes the weaker yet necessary members; for being small and much weaker than the other members, they are extremely necessary. The feet they call the more dishonorable and uncomely members. We bestow greater care upon the eyes because they are weak; we look after and care for the feet, even though they occupy a low place and seem dishonorable. One may understand in these words three orders: some members are weak and necessary, for example, the eyes; others are dishonorable, for example, the feet; others are uncomely, for example, the reproductive organs.
1 Cor. 12:24. But our presentable parts have no need of that.
Lest anyone should say: what reason is there to bestow care upon the uncomely and less honorable members, while leaving the comely ones in neglect? We do not, he says, despise them, but they, being by their nature comely, have no need of anything from us.
1 Cor. 12:24. But God tempered the body together.
Did He not mix and arrange into one? For that which is mixed becomes one; then in one thing, where is the greater and the lesser?
1 Cor. 12:24-25. Having bestowed greater care upon that which is less comely, so that there should be no division in the body.
He did not say "uncomely" or "dishonored," but "less perfect." For by nature no member is uncomely or dishonored. To the less perfect, he says, He gave greater honor. Therefore do not grieve, for you have been honored more than the others. Here is the reason as well: that there be no division in the body. For if some members enjoyed care from us as well, while others were neglected and left without our attention, they would become divided among themselves, being unable to maintain their union, and upon their division the remaining members would also fall into disorder, on account of the division in the body. So also you who have been deemed worthy of greater gifts, do not exalt yourselves over those who received less, lest upon their separation from you, you too should suffer harm.
1 Cor. 12:25. But that all the members equally cared for one another.
It is not enough, he says, that the members not be divided, but there must be great love and harmony among them; and each one must care for and look after the least member, and care not simply, but "equally," that is, so that the least member enjoys the same care as the important one. Thus, when a thorn falls and pierces the heel of the foot, the whole body feels it and takes care: the head bends down, the back curves, the belly and thighs contract, the eyes look with great attentiveness, the hands pull out the splinter. The same happens with the rest of the members as well.
1 Cor. 12:26. Therefore, if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; if one member is glorified, all the members rejoice with it.
A close union makes misfortune and prosperity common. Thus, as we said, when the heel has a splinter, everything suffers. Conversely, when the head is crowned, then for the other members too there is glory and joy, the eyes become brighter, and the whole body appears beautiful.
1 Cor. 12:27. And you are the body of Christ, and individually members.
Lest they should say: "how does the example of the body and members relate to us?", he says: and you are the body of Christ and members. If in the human body there should be no discord, then how much more so in the body of Christ? Since they alone did not constitute the fullness of the body of Christ, but rather the believers throughout the whole world, he added: "and individually members." Although they did not constitute the whole body, they were nevertheless members, and indeed "individually." For in relation to your church, you are the body of Christ, as a whole Church; but in relation to the Catholic Church, which exists throughout the whole world, whose body consists of churches everywhere and has Christ as its head, you are members, since you are a part of it.
1 Cor. 12:28. And God has appointed some in the Church, first Apostles, second prophets.
God has appointed: so how do you oppose God? He places apostles first, because they are the distributors of all good things; second, prophets — not Old Testament ones (for they prophesied about the coming of Christ until John: Matt. 11:13), but those who after the coming of Christ prophesied in the New Testament, such as the daughters of Philip, Agabus, and many others. For this grace of the Spirit was abundant in every Church. He numbers them "first, second" in order that, by placing the gift of tongues last, he might humble those who boasted of it:
1 Cor. 12:28. Thirdly, teachers.
The prophet announces everything from the Spirit, but the teacher also from himself: therefore he is third.
1 Cor. 12:28. Then, to others He gave miraculous powers, also gifts of healings.
Powers both healed the sick and punished opponents, while gifts of healings only cured; therefore he places the former above the latter. And before both of these, the teacher is justly placed, who teaches by deed and word.
1 Cor. 12:28. Helps, governments.
That is, assistance to the weak and the administration or management of the brethren's property. Although this also depends on our own effort, he calls them gifts of God, persuading us to be grateful and to look to Him, and not to be puffed up.
1 Cor. 12:28. Various tongues.
The gift of tongues he placed last, in order to humble those who boasted of it.
1 Cor. 12:29-30. Are all Apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Are all workers of miracles? Do all have gifts of healings? Do all speak with tongues? Are all interpreters?
When the greater and lesser gifts had been enumerated in order, it was natural for them to be grieved. Therefore he again comforts those who had the lesser gifts. Why, he says, are you sorrowful that you do not have, perhaps, the gift of prophecy? Consider that you have what the prophet does not, and what one has, the other does not. For you it is fitting and far more profitable that the gifts be distributed in this way, so that each person would have need of his neighbor.