Devine Scripture

1 Corinthians 12:13

What does 1 Corinthians 12:13 mean?

A plain-English look at 1 Corinthians 12:13 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What 1 Corinthians 12:13 means

Unity in the body comes from the Spirit’s action: by the one Spirit all believers were baptized into one body, regardless of ethnicity or social status, and all were made to drink of the same Spirit. This double image—incorporation and refreshment—shows both entry and ongoing sustenance. The Spirit unites diverse people to Christ and to one another. No barrier—Jew or Greek, bond or free—survives this work. The church’s oneness is not mere agreement but spiritual reality accomplished by God. Since this union is Spirit-wrought, believers should honor it by living in harmony and valuing each member’s place.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

For in one Spirit were we all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, whether bond or free; and were all made to drink of one Spirit.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

For in one Spirit were we all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, whether bond or free; and were all made to drink of one Spirit.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

For through the baptism of the one Spirit we were all formed into one body, Jews or Greeks, servants or free men, and were all made full of the same Spirit.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

for also in one Spirit we all to one body were baptized, whether Jews or Greeks, whether servants or freemen, and all into one Spirit were made to drink,

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

For in one Spirit were we all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Gentiles, whether bond or free: and in one Spirit we have all been made to drink.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

For also in [the power of] one Spirit we have all been baptised into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, whether bondmen or free, and have all been given to drink of one Spirit.

Context

Following the introduction of the body metaphor, Paul explains its basis: the Spirit creates the one body. This grounds unity not in human preference but in divine action. With this foundation, verse 14 will stress the necessity of many members, and verses 15–16 will address the temptation to disqualify oneself. The narrative moves from theological grounding (verse 13) to practical implications for how members view their own roles within the body (verses 14–20).

v.12For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of the body, being many, are one body; so also is Christ.

v.13This passage

v.14For the body is not one member, but many.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Romans 3:29

    Or is God the God of Jews only? is he not the God of Gentiles also? Yea, of Gentiles also:

  • Luke 3:16

    John answered, saying unto them all, I indeed baptize you with water; but there cometh he that is mightier than I, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to unloose: he shall baptize you in the Holy Spirit and in fire:

  • Colossians 2:11

    in whom ye were also circumcised with a circumcision not made with hands, in the putting off of the body of the flesh, in the circumcision of Christ;

  • Galatians 3:23

    But before faith came, we were kept in ward under the law, shut up unto the faith which should afterwards be revealed.

  • Colossians 1:27

    to whom God was pleased to make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory:

  • Matthew 3:11

    I indeed baptize you in water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you in the Holy Spirit and in fire:

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