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? ¹⁸ But in fact God has placed^(A) the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be.^{(B) 19} If they were all one part, where would the body be? ²⁰ As it is, there are many parts, but one body.^(C)

²¹ The eye cannot say to the hand, “I don’t need you!” And the head cannot say to the feet, “I don’t need you!” ²² On the contrary, those parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, ²³ and the parts that we think are less honorable we treat with special honor. And the parts that are unpresentable are treated with special modesty, ²⁴ while our presentable parts need no special treatment. But God has put the body together, giving greater honor to the parts that lacked it, ²⁵ so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other. ²⁶ If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it.

²⁷ Now you are the body of Christ,^(D) and each one of you is a part of it.^{(E) 28} And God has placed in the church^(F) first of all apostles,^(G) second prophets,^(H) third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healing,^(I) of helping, of guidance,^(J) and of different kinds of tongues.^{(K) 29} Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles? ³⁰ Do all have gifts of healing? Do all speak in tongues^[a]?^(L) Do all interpret? ³¹ Now eagerly desire^(M) the greater gifts.

Love Is Indispensable

And yet I will show you the most excellent way.