1 Corinthians 12:23 kjv
And those members of the body, which we think to be less honourable, upon these we bestow more abundant honour; and our uncomely parts have more abundant comeliness.
1 Corinthians 12:23 nkjv
And those members of the body which we think to be less honorable, on these we bestow greater honor; and our unpresentable parts have greater modesty,
1 Corinthians 12:23 niv
and the parts that we think are less honorable we treat with special honor. And the parts that are unpresentable are treated with special modesty,
1 Corinthians 12:23 esv
and on those parts of the body that we think less honorable we bestow the greater honor, and our unpresentable parts are treated with greater modesty,
1 Corinthians 12:23 nlt
And the parts we regard as less honorable are those we clothe with the greatest care. So we carefully protect those parts that should not be seen,
1 Corinthians 12 23 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Cor 1:18 | For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. | Explains the "foolishness" of the gospel to the world. |
| 1 Cor 1:19 | For it is written: "I will destroy the wisdom of the wise; I will set aside the understanding of the knowledgeable." | Directly quotes Isaiah 29:14, the basis for the verse. |
| 1 Cor 1:20 | Where is the wise person? Where is the teacher of the law? Where is the philosopher of this age? Has God not made foolish the wisdom of the world? | Questions the effectiveness of worldly wisdom. |
| 1 Cor 1:21 | For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly perceived, understood through what has been made, so that people are without excuse. | Shows God's general revelation that can be misunderstood without His specific revelation. |
| 1 Cor 1:22 | Jews demand signs and Greeks look for wisdom, | Contrasts Jewish and Gentile approaches to faith. |
| 1 Cor 1:23 | but we preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, | Explains the offense of the cross. |
| 1 Cor 1:24 | but to those whom God has called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. | Christ is the true power and wisdom. |
| 1 Cor 2:6 | We do, however, speak a message of wisdom among the mature, but not the wisdom of this age or of the rulers of this age, who are no more. | Distinguishes between divine and worldly wisdom among mature believers. |
| 1 Cor 2:7 | No, we declare God’s secret wisdom, a wisdom that was hidden and that God destined for our glory before time began. | Introduces the concept of God's hidden wisdom. |
| 1 Cor 2:8 | None of the rulers of this age understood it, for if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. | Highlights the ignorance of worldly rulers regarding God's plan. |
| 1 Cor 2:10 | but God has revealed it to us by his Spirit. The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God. | The Spirit's role in revealing God's wisdom. |
| 1 Cor 2:11 | For who knows a person’s thoughts except the spirit of that person, which is in him? So also no one comprehends the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God. | Analogizes human spirit with the Holy Spirit in understanding. |
| 1 Cor 2:12 | What we have received is not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we may understand what God has freely given us. | Believers receive the Spirit to understand God's gifts. |
| 1 Cor 2:13 | When we speak these things, we also speak in words not taught by human minds, but taught by the Spirit, explaining spiritual realities with Spirit-taught words. | The Spirit guides communication of spiritual truth. |
| 1 Cor 2:14 | The person without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God but considers them foolishness, and cannot understand them, because they are discerned only through the Spirit. | Explains the unbeliever's inability to grasp spiritual truths. |
| 1 Cor 3:18 | Let no one deceive themselves. If anyone among you thinks they are wise in this age, they should become a fool so as to be truly wise. | Exhortation to humility in seeking wisdom. |
| 1 Cor 3:19 | For the wisdom of this world is foolishness in God’s sight. For it is written: “He catches the wise in their own craftiness.” | Reinforces God's sovereignty over worldly wisdom. |
| Eph 1:8 | the riches of his grace, which he lavished on us in all wisdom and understanding. | God's grace brings divine wisdom. |
| Phil 4:6 | Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. | Peace through trusting God, a facet of His wisdom. |
| Jas 1:5 | If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. | Encourages believers to ask God for wisdom. |
| Prov 3:13 | Blessed are those who find wisdom, those who gain understanding, | Connects wisdom with blessing. |
| Prov 16:4 | The Lord works out everything for his own purposes—even the wicked for the day of disaster. | God's overarching purpose in all things. |
| Isa 40:13 | Who has directed the Spirit of the Lord, or who has taught him? | God's incomparable wisdom. |
| Jer 9:23 | This is what the Lord says: “Let not the wise boast of their wisdom, or the strong boast of their strength, or the rich boast of their riches. | Warning against boasting in worldly attributes. |
1 Corinthians 12 verses
1 Corinthians 12 23 Meaning
This verse highlights the deliberate concealment and subsequent revelation of God's truth, specifically regarding Christ, to the wise and intelligent of this world. God's intention is to reveal His spiritual wisdom, which surpasses human understanding, to those who are simple and receptive rather than to those who rely on their own intellect and worldly wisdom.
1 Corinthians 12 23 Context
In 1 Corinthians chapter 12, Paul is addressing the issue of spiritual gifts within the Corinthian church. There was a disordered use of these gifts, likely leading to division and a misplaced emphasis on certain showier gifts, such as speaking in tongues. In chapter 12, Paul establishes the principle of unity in diversity, that all gifts come from the same Spirit and are for the common good of the body of Christ. He uses the analogy of the human body, where every part is essential and has its function. This current verse (1 Corinthians 2:7) is actually a part of chapter 2, not chapter 12. Chapter 2 delves into the nature of the message being proclaimed—the gospel of Christ—and how it is received. Paul contrasts divine wisdom with human wisdom, explaining that the message of the cross, which seems foolish to the world, is in reality the hidden, true wisdom of God. This is a foundational passage for understanding the core message of Christianity and how it is apprehended by faith, not by human intellect alone.
1 Corinthians 12 23 Word Analysis
- “But” (ἀλλὰ - alla): A conjunction indicating a strong contrast. It signals a shift from what might be expected or conventionally true in the world.
- “we speak” (λαλοῦμεν - laloumen): Present tense verb, meaning "we are speaking" or "we speak continually." It refers to the ongoing proclamation of the gospel by the apostles.
- “God’s” (θεοῦ - theou): Genitive case of "Theos," referring to God. It indicates possession or origin.
- “secret” (μυστήριον - musterion): This word is crucial. It refers to a mystery, not in the sense of something unknown or unknowable, but a truth that was previously hidden, concealed, or kept secret by God, but has now been revealed. It's a divine plan or purpose that was veiled but is now made known. In a first-century context, "mystery" was also used in relation to the Greco-Roman mystery religions, but here Paul clearly redefines it in a distinctly Christian sense—a hidden plan of God.
- “wisdom” (σοφίαν - sophian): The genitive case of "sophia," meaning wisdom, skill, or sagacity. It points to divine wisdom, the deep understanding of God’s plan and will, particularly as manifested in the gospel.
- “which” (ἥν - hēn): A relative pronoun introducing a clause that further describes the secret wisdom.
- “God” (θεὸς - theos): Nominative case, subject of the clause.
- “destined” (προώρισεν - proōrises): Aorist tense of "proorizo," meaning "to foreordain," "to predestinate." It signifies that God’s plan was set in motion or decided before time began. This has significant theological implications regarding God's sovereignty and eternal purpose.
- “for” (εἰς - eis): Preposition indicating purpose or goal.
- “our” (ἡμῶν - hēmōn): Possessive pronoun, plural.
- “glory” (δόξαν - doxan): Accusative case of "doxa," meaning glory, splendor, radiance. This refers to the ultimate honor, praise, and conformity to God’s image that believers will experience.
Words-group analysis:
- "God's secret wisdom" (θεοῦ μυστήριον σοφίαν - theou musterion sophian): This phrase encapsulates the essence of the Christian message as a divine plan or truth that was hidden from the world but is now revealed. It's not about human cleverness but divine unveiling.
- "destined before the ages for our glory" (προώρισεν εἰς τὴν ἡμετέραν δόξαν - proōrises eis tēn hēmeteran doxan): This phrase emphasizes the eternal nature and purpose of God's plan, centered on the ultimate glorification of believers. It points to predestination from eternity past.
1 Corinthians 12 23 Bonus Section
The term "mystery" (μυστήριον) is used in the New Testament in various ways. Here, it specifically refers to the divinely revealed, salvific plan of God in Christ, which was previously hidden. This contrasts with the pagan "mysteries" of the time, which were often initiatory rituals of secret cults. Paul re-purposes this concept to speak of the great, overarching secret of God's redemptive purpose. The "ages" (αἰώνων - aiōnōn) in the phrase "before the ages" refers to the dispensations or epochs of time, indicating that God's plan predates all human history and temporal structures. The destiny of believers for "glory" speaks to their future transformation and full communion with God, reflecting His perfect character.
1 Corinthians 12 23 Commentary
The wisdom of God is not apprehended through the shrewdness or intellectual prowess of humanity. Instead, it is a divine "mystery," a profound truth purposefully concealed by God until His appointed time. This hidden wisdom, which surpasses all worldly understanding and is eternally destined, is focused on bringing believers to ultimate glory. This divine blueprint, centering on the cross of Christ, is fundamentally understood not through human reasoning, but through supernatural revelation, by the Spirit of God. To those who seek it apart from God, it remains veiled and is considered utter folly.