At first glance it may seem as if Paul is simply repeating his previous argument. Yet the focus of 1 Corinthians 12:21–31 is slightly different from that of 1 Corinthians 12:12–20. In the present verses Paul is subtly exposing the spiritual pride and arrogance in the Corinthian church. Whether explicitly or implicitly, there were some church members who claimed to be on a higher spiritual level than the rest.
21 The eye cannot say to the hand, “I have no need of you,” nor again the head to the feet, “I have no need of you.”