1 Corinthians 12:22
What does 1 Corinthians 12:22 mean?
A plain-English look at 1 Corinthians 12:22 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What 1 Corinthians 12:22 means
Contrary to human estimation, the parts that seem weaker are necessary. God’s economy reverses appearances. What looks fragile may be vital to life and health. In Christ’s body, unnoticed ministries often sustain the whole—prayer, mercy, quiet service. This truth humbles the prominent and lifts the lowly. It also warns the church against neglecting or silencing less visible gifts. Necessity is not measured by stage time but by God’s design and the body’s actual needs. By emphasizing seeming weakness, Paul undermines worldly measures of importance and upholds God’s valuing of each member.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000Nay, much rather, those members of the body which seem to be more feeble are necessary:
KJV
King James Version · 1611Nay, much more those members of the body, which seem to be more feeble, are necessary:
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901Nay, much rather, those members of the body which seem to be more feeble are necessary:
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949No, those parts which seem to be feeble are the more necessary;
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862But much more the members of the body which seem to be more infirm are necessary,
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Yea, much, more those that seem to be the more feeble members of the body are more necessary
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890But much rather, the members of the body which seem to be weaker are necessary;
Context
Building on the rebuke of verse 21, Paul corrects the church’s instinct to overvalue visible parts. Verse 22 begins a revaluation: the apparently feeble are essential. Verse 23 will continue, urging greater honor for parts considered less honorable or unpresentable. Verse 24 will show that God has composed the body accordingly, and verse 25 will state the purpose—unity and mutual care. The flow teaches a countercultural honor system that mirrors God’s priorities, not human prestige.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Ecclesiastes 4:9
Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their labor.
- Ecclesiastes 9:14
There was a little city, and few men within it; and there came a great king against it, and besieged it, and built great bulwarks against it.
- Ecclesiastes 5:9
Moreover the profit of the earth is for all: the king himself is served by the field.
- Proverbs 14:28
In the multitude of people is the king’s glory; But in the want of people is the destruction of the prince.
- 2 Corinthians 1:11
ye also helping together on our behalf by your supplication; that, for the gift bestowed upon us by means of many, thanks may be given by many persons on our behalf.
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