Devine Scripture

1 Corinthians 12:20

What does 1 Corinthians 12:20 mean?

A plain-English look at 1 Corinthians 12:20 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What 1 Corinthians 12:20 means

Paul states the conclusion plainly: there are many members, yet one body. This concise restatement balances plurality and unity. It answers envy and pride alike—no one member defines the body, and yet all together form one organism. The church’s identity is corporate, not individualistic, but no individual is lost in the whole. The sentence serves as a hinge, closing the argument against self-dismissal and opening the challenge to those tempted to dismiss others. It calls the church to hold both truths—many and one—at the same time, in humble cooperation.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

But now they are many members, but one body.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

But now are they many members, yet but one body.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

But now they are many members, but one body.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

But now they are all different parts, but one body.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

and now, indeed, <FI>are<Fi> many members, and one body;

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

But now there are many members indeed, yet one body.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

But now the members [are] many, and the body one.

Context

This verse summarizes the argument of verses 14–19 and transitions to the next concern. Having established the necessity of many members, Paul will now address superiority, where prominent parts claim they do not need the lesser ones (verse 21). Verses 22–24 will invert human judgments about what parts are necessary or honorable, and verses 25–26 will state God’s purpose: no schism, but mutual care and shared joy and sorrow. The flow moves from belonging to honoring.

v.19And if they were all one member, where were the body?

v.20This passage

v.21And the eye cannot say to the hand, I have no need of thee: or again the head to the feet, I have no need of you.

Cross references

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

  • 1 Corinthians 12:12

    For 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.

  • 1 Corinthians 12:14

    For the body is not one member, but many.

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