1 Corinthians 12:20 kjv
But now are they many members, yet but one body.
1 Corinthians 12:20 nkjv
But now indeed there are many members, yet one body.
1 Corinthians 12:20 niv
As it is, there are many parts, but one body.
1 Corinthians 12:20 esv
As it is, there are many parts, yet one body.
1 Corinthians 12:20 nlt
Yes, there are many parts, but only one body.
1 Corinthians 12 20 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Corinthians 10:17 | "For there is one loaf, we who are many are one body" | Unity in communion, symbolic of the church |
| Romans 12:4-5 | "For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office: So we, being many, are one body in Christ" | Complementary roles, unified in Christ |
| Ephesians 4:4 | "There is one body, and one Spirit" | Divine source of unity |
| Ephesians 4:15-16 | "But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ: From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted" | Corporate growth, Christ as head |
| Colossians 1:18 | "And he is the head of the body, the church" | Christ's supreme authority |
| Galatians 3:28 | "There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus" | Breaking down social barriers in unity |
| John 17:21 | "That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us" | Christ's prayer for unity among believers |
| 1 Corinthians 1:10 | "Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment." | Exhortation to unity, against divisions |
| Philippians 2:2 | "Fulfill ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind." | Call for harmony and shared purpose |
| Acts 4:32 | "And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul" | Early church demonstrating unity |
| Ephesians 2:14 | "For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us" | Christ reconciling Jew and Gentile |
| 1 Peter 4:10 | "As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another" | Stewardship of spiritual gifts |
| 1 Corinthians 12:27 | "Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular." | Direct statement of church's identity |
| 1 Corinthians 12:12 | "For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ." | Analogy of physical body and Christ |
| Hebrews 12:23 | "To the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven" | Heavenly perspective of the church |
| 1 Corinthians 6:15 | "Know ye not that your bodies are the members of Christ?" | Importance of treating bodies with respect |
| 1 Corinthians 12:13 | "For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body" | Spiritual baptism uniting believers |
| 1 Corinthians 12:18 | "But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him." | God's sovereign placement of members |
| 1 Corinthians 12:21 | "And the eye cannot say to the hand, I have no need of thee" | Interdependence of body parts |
| Ephesians 4:1-3 | "I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called, With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering; forbearing one another in love; Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace." | Exhortation to live in unity |
| Romans 12:5 | "So we, being many, are one body in Christ; and every one members of another." | Interdependence and belonging |
1 Corinthians 12 verses
1 Corinthians 12 20 Meaning
In 1 Corinthians 12:20, Paul states, "But now are they many members, yet but one body." This verse powerfully emphasizes the unity within diversity that characterizes the Christian church. It highlights that although believers are distinct individuals with varied gifts and functions, they are collectively unified as a single entity – the body of Christ. This unity is not superficial but a fundamental aspect of their new identity in Christ.
1 Corinthians 12 20 Context
This verse is found in 1 Corinthians chapter 12, a section where the Apostle Paul addresses the issue of spiritual gifts in the Corinthian church. The Corinthian believers were experiencing divisions and pride related to their giftedness, leading to a disunity that undermined the community. Paul uses the analogy of the human body to illustrate how different members, though diverse, function together harmoniously to make one complete organism. He previously explained that just as a body has many parts, each with its own function, believers, though many, form one body in Christ (1 Corinthians 12:12). This verse, 1 Corinthians 12:20, serves as a clear reiteration of this central theme, building on the previous verses and preparing the ground for the argument that follows in verse 21 about the interdependence of these members. The historical context reveals a church struggling with internal disagreements, likely stemming from a misuse and overemphasis of certain spiritual gifts, leading to a sense of superiority among some members. Paul's discourse aims to correct this by promoting humility and mutual respect, fostering a true sense of unity.
1 Corinthians 12 20 Word Analysis
"But" (de - δε): A conjunction often used to introduce a contrast or to continue a line of thought. Here, it transitions from the analogy of the body to a direct application to the believers themselves.
"now" (nun - νῦν): Indicates the present reality of their identity in Christ.
"are" (eisin - εἰσίν): Present tense of the verb "to be," signifying a continuous state of existence.
"they" (autoi - αὐτοί): Refers back to the "members" previously mentioned or implied.
"many" (polla - πολλά): Indicates a large number or variety of members.
"members" (melē - μέλη): Refers to the individual parts of the body, personifying the individual believers within the church.
"yet" (plēn - πλήν): A contrasting conjunction, highlighting the paradox.
"but" (alla - ἀλλά): Another strong contrasting conjunction, emphasizing the core truth.
"one" (hen - ἕν): Denotes singularity and unity.
"body" (sōma - σῶμα): The central metaphor, representing the unified church.
Group of Words Analysis:
- "many members, yet but one body": This phrase encapsulates the core paradox and the unifying truth. It's the statement that while believers are individually distinct and numerous, their collective identity in Christ transcends these differences, forming a singular, cohesive entity. This underscores the organic unity of the church, a reality established by God's sovereign action.
1 Corinthians 12 20 Bonus Section
This verse is a crucial anchor for understanding the doctrine of the church as the body of Christ. It establishes that the spiritual gifts mentioned in the preceding verses (like prophecy, tongues, healing, etc.) are distributed among individual members for the purpose of building up this single, unified body. The "members" are not separate entities competing for attention but components of a singular organism, interdependent and designed by God to function together. The beauty of the church lies precisely in this unified diversity, reflecting the richness and complexity of God's design, with Christ as the all-governing Head. This truth is a powerful antidote to sectarianism and exclusivism.
1 Corinthians 12 20 Commentary
Paul's statement in 1 Corinthians 12:20 serves as a foundational principle for understanding the nature of the church. It asserts that numerical diversity and individual distinction do not negate or undermine essential unity. Instead, these differences are incorporated into a higher, spiritual unity in Christ. This is a theological reality that believers are called to recognize and live out. The unity of the body is not dependent on perfect agreement in all matters, but on the shared identity and life in Christ, animated by the one Spirit. The practical implication is that no member should feel insignificant or dispensable, nor should any member view themselves as superior to others. Every part, regardless of its perceived importance, is vital to the functioning of the whole body. The unity is divinely instituted, not humanly constructed, and it demands reciprocal love, respect, and acknowledgment of one another's unique contributions to the body's edification.