22. 23. Nay, much more those members of the body, which seem to be more feeble, are necessary : and those (members) of the body, which we think to be less honom-able, upon these we bestow more abun- dant honour ; and our uncomely (parts) have more abundant comeliness.
The fourth inference from the apostle's doctrine is, that the least attractive gifts are the most important. As in the hu- man frame the heart is more important than the tongue, so in the church the gift of prayer is more important than elo- quence. Those who in the closet, however obscure, wrestle with God, often do more for his glory and for the advance- ment of his kingdom than those who fill the largest space in the public eye. What would the tongue do without the lungs, which are neither seen nor heard ? God's thoughts are not as our thoughts. The childish Corinthians prized the gift of tongues, which, as they used it, could edify no one, to the gift of prophecy by which the whole body of Christ could be instructed and comforted. And those persons and offices in the church which are most admired or coveted, are often of little account in the sight of God. There is another idea pre- sented in these verses. It is an instinct of nature to adorn most the least comely portions of the body ; and it is an in- stinct of grace to honour most those members of the church who least attract admiration. Those members of the body which we think to be less honourable^ i. e. less likely to be honoured ; on those we bestow the more abundant honour^ i. e. we on that account honour them the more. It is thus with a mother. The child which is the least admired, she cherishes with special affection. And it is thus with the church. The true people of God are only the more disposed to honour those of their number who are undervalued or despised. In the body, as the apostle says, our uncomely parts have (i. e. they receive) more abundant comeliness^ i. e. are specially adorned.
24. For our comely (parts) have no need : but God hath tempered the body together, having given more abundant honour to that (part) which lacked :
Our comely parts have no need^ i. e. of being thus adorned. The face is uncovered ; the feet are clothed and decked. The