1 Corinthians 12:20

1 Corinthians 12:20 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)But now are they many members, yet but one body.
• New International Version (NIV)As it is, there are many parts, but one body.
• English Standard Version (ESV)As it is, there are many parts, yet one body.
• New King James Version (NKJV)But now indeed there are many members, yet one body.

Context of 1 Corinthians 12:20

18But God has decided where each different part of our body should be. 19If our body was all the same part, it would not be a proper body. But as it is, a body has many parts. It is still only one whole body. 21For that reason, the eye cannot say to the hand, ‘I do not need you.’ And the head cannot say to the feet, ‘I do not need you.’ 22No. Even the parts of a body that seem to be weaker are very necessary.

1 Corinthians 12:20 word by word

νῦν δὲ πολλὰ μὲν μέλη, ἓν δὲ σῶμα.Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• Butδέde · thenG1161
• nowνῦνnun · nowG3568
• manyπολύςpolus polos · muchG4183
• membersμέλοςmelos · memberG3196
• yetμένmen · on the other handG3303
• oneεἷςheis · oneG1520
• bodyσῶμαsōma · bodyG4983

Commentaries on 1 Corinthians 12:20

• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 12-26Verses 12-26 Christ and his church form one body, as Head and members. Christians become members of this body by baptism. The outward rite is of Divine institution; it is a sign of the new birth, and is called therefore the washing of regeneration, Tit 3:5. But it is by the Spirit, only by the renewing of the Holy Ghost, that we are made members of Christ's body. And by communion with Christ at the Lord's supper, we are strengthened, not by drinking the…Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 14-21These verses shift from the image of a physical body to the image of the church as a spiritual body. Every part of the body is important and essential for it to work well. Believers should not brag about their spiritual roles or think less of them compared to others. God, who created the body, has placed each part exactly where he wants it (12:18).Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 2020. now--as the case really is: in contrast to the supposition (1Co 12:19; compare 1Co 12:18). many members--mutually dependent.Read the comment

Topics related to 1 Corinthians 12:20

• Church
• Righteous

In the dictionaries

• Administration
• Bond
• Covet
• Temper
• Tongues, Gift of
• Church Government
• Communion; (fellowship)
• Corinthians, First Epistle to the
• Ephesians, Epistle to the
• Gift

Commentaries on 1 Corinthians 12

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
• Tyndale Open Study Notes
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
• Calvin’s Commentaries
• John Wesley’s Notes
• Illustrated New Testament
• Burkitt’s Expository Notes
• Darby Translation Notes
• Family Bible Notes
• Geneva Bible Translation Notes
• Kingcomments
• Luther’s Commentary on Selected Bible Passages
• Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
• Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
• The People’s New Testament
• Robertson’s Word Pictures
• Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
• Original Douay–Rheims Annotations
• Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
• EGW Writings