1 Corinthians 12:12 - Clarke's commentary and critical notes on the Bible

Bible Comments

For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ. For as the body is one - Though the human body have many members, and though it be composed of a great variety of parts, yet it is but one entire system; every part and member being necessary to the integrity or completeness of the whole.

So also is Christ - That is, So is the Church the body of Christ, being composed of the different officers already mentioned, and especially those enumerated, 1 Corinthians 12:28, apostles, prophets, teachers, etc. It cannot be supposed that Christ is composed of many members, etc., and therefore the term Church must be understood, unless we suppose, which is not improbable, that the term Ὁ Χριστος, Christ, is used to express the Church, or whole body of Christian believers.

1 Corinthians 12:12

12 For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ.