God’s Word Translation
Romans 12:4
4Our bodies have many parts, but these parts don’t all do the same thing.
Romans 12:4 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office:
- New International Version (NIV)For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function,
- English Standard Version (ESV)For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function,
- New King James Version (NKJV)For as we have many members in one body, but all the members do not have the same function,
Context of Romans 12:4
2Don’t become like the people of this world. Instead, change the way you think. Then you will always be able to determine what God really wants—what is good, pleasing, and perfect. 3Because of the kindness that God has shown me, I ask you not to think of yourselves more highly than you should. Instead, your thoughts should lead you to use good judgment based on what God has given each of you as believers. Our bodies have many parts, but these parts don’t all do the same thing. 5In the same way, even though we are many individuals, Christ makes us one body and individuals who are connected to each other. 6God in his kindness gave each of us different gifts. If your gift is speaking what God has revealed, make sure what you say agrees with the Christian faith.
Read all of Romans 12Romans 12:4 word by word
καθάπερ γὰρ ἐν ἑνὶ σώματι πολλὰ μέλη ἔχομεν, τὰ δὲ μέλη πάντα οὐ τὴν αὐτὴν ἔχει πρᾶξιν,Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
- ·ὁho hē to · the/this/whoG3588
- Forγάρgar · forG1063
- asκαθάπερkathaper · just asG2509
- we haveἔχωechō · to have/beG2192
- manyπολύςpolus polos · muchG4183
- membersμέλοςmelos · memberG3196
- inἐνen · in/on/amongG1722
- oneεἷςheis · oneG1520
- bodyσῶμαsōma · bodyG4983
- andδέde · thenG1161
- allπᾶςpas · allG3956
- notοὐou · noG3756
- theπρᾶξιςpraxis · actionG4234
- sameαὐτόςautos · it/s/heG846
Cross-references for Romans 12:4
Commentaries on Romans 12:4
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 4For as we have many members - As the human body consists of many parts, each having its respective office, and all contributing to the perfection and support of the whole; each being indispensably necessary in the place which it occupies, and each equally useful though performing a different function;Read the comment
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 4For - This word here denotes a further illustration or proof of what he had just before said. The duty to which he was exhorting the Romans was, not to be unduly exalted or elevated in their own estimation. In order to produce proper humility, he shows them that God has appointed certain orders or grades in the church; that all are useful in their proper place; that we should seek to discharge our duty in our appropriate sphere; and thus that due…Read the comment
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 3-8Verses 3-8 Pride is a sin in us by nature; we need to be cautioned and armed against it. All the saints make up one body in Christ, who is the Head of the body, and the common Centre of their unity. In the spiritual body, some are fitted for and called to one sort of work; others for another sort of work. We are to do all the good we can, one to another, and for the common benefit. If we duly thought about the powers we have, and how far we fail properly…Read the comment
- Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 4-5so in Christ we who are many are one body: Paul compares the human body to the church, which he calls the body of Christ. He also uses this comparison in 1 Corinthians 12. This picture helps explain both unity and diversity in the church. Many parts belong to one body, and each part has an important role. Ancient writers also used this same comparison to describe how communities work together (compare Livy, History 2.32; Epictetus, Discourses 2.10.4–5).Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 4-54-5. For as we have many members, &c.--The same diversity and yet unity obtains in the body of Christ, whereof all believers are the several members, as in the natural body.Read the comment
Topics related to Romans 12:4
In the dictionaries
Commentaries on Romans 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
God’s Word Translation — © 1995 God’s Word to the Nations Bible Society
Commentaries