1 Corinthians 12:15
What does 1 Corinthians 12:15 mean?
A plain-English look at 1 Corinthians 12:15 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What 1 Corinthians 12:15 means
Paul imagines a foot saying, “Because I am not the hand, I am not of the body.” This exposes a common error: equating difference with non-belonging. The foot remains part of the body regardless of its self-assessment. In the church, those who compare themselves to more visible gifts may wrongly conclude they do not belong. Paul corrects this gently but firmly. Belonging comes from God’s placement, not self-perception. Every member has a necessary role, even if it seems less prominent. The verse invites believers to reject self-exclusion and to embrace their Spirit-given function with contentment and courage.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000If the foot shall say, Because I am not the hand, I am not of the body; it is not therefore not of the body.
KJV
King James Version · 1611If the foot shall say, Because I am not the hand, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body?
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901If the foot shall say, Because I am not the hand, I am not of the body; it is not therefore not of the body.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949If the foot says, Because I am not the hand, I am not a part of the body; it is no less a part of the body.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862if the foot may say, `Because I am not a hand, I am not of the body;' it is not, because of this, not of the body;
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752If the foot should say: Because I am not the hand, I am not of the body: Is it therefore not of the Body?
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890If the foot say, Because I am not a hand I am not of the body, is it on account of this not indeed of the body?
Context
This verse begins a set of vivid illustrations (verses 15–16) confronting feelings of inferiority. Following the assertion that the body has many members (verse 14), Paul personifies parts that undervalue themselves. Verse 17 will expand the point by showing how a body that is all one part cannot function. Then verse 18 will emphasize God’s sovereign arrangement. The flow reassures struggling members while moving the whole church toward valuing diverse contributions.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- 2 Kings 14:9
And Jehoash the king of Israel sent to Amaziah king of Judah, saying, The thistle that was in Lebanon sent to the cedar that was in Lebanon, saying, Give thy daughter to my son to wife: and there passed by a wild beast that was in Lebanon, and trod down the thistle.
- Judges 9:8
The trees went forth on a time to anoint a king over them; and they said unto the olive-tree, Reign thou over us.
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