Devine Scripture

1 Corinthians 12:23

What does 1 Corinthians 12:23 mean?

A plain-English look at 1 Corinthians 12:23 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What 1 Corinthians 12:23 means

Paul extends the revaluation: parts we think less honorable receive more abundant honor, and unpresentable parts are treated with greater modesty, giving them special dignity. The analogy from the human body illustrates how care and discretion elevate what might otherwise be despised. In the church, this means intentionally honoring and protecting members and ministries that could be overlooked. Such deliberate esteem restores balance and reflects Christ’s heart for the lowly. Honor is not a finite resource to be hoarded by the prominent; it is a means of strengthening the whole by lifting the least regarded.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

and those parts of the body, which we think to be less honorable, upon these we bestow more abundant honor; and our uncomely parts have more abundant comeliness;

KJV

King James Version · 1611

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.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

and those parts of the body, which we think to be less honorable, upon these we bestow more abundant honor; and our uncomely parts have more abundant comeliness;

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And to those parts of the body which seem to have less honour we give all the more honour; and to those parts of the body which are a cause of shame to us we give the greater respect;

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

and those that we think to be less honourable of the body, around these we put more abundant honour, and our unseemly things have seemliness more abundant,

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And such as we think to be the less honourable members of the body, about these we put more abundant honour: and those that are our uncomely parts have more abundant comeliness.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

and those [parts] of the body which we esteem to be the more void of honour, these we clothe with more abundant honour; and our uncomely [parts] have more abundant comeliness;

Context

Continuing from verse 22, Paul shows how the body naturally compensates for parts that seem less honorable or unpresentable. This sets up verse 24’s statement that God Himself has tempered the body, granting more honor where it lacks. The aim, revealed in verse 25, is the abolition of schism and the cultivation of equal care. Verse 26 will then depict the emotional solidarity that results. The movement is from reevaluating worth to recognizing God’s wise composition and pursuing practical unity.

v.22Nay, much rather, those members of the body which seem to be more feeble are necessary:

v.23This passage

v.24whereas our comely parts have no need: but God tempered the body together, giving more abundant honor to that part which lacked;

Cross references

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

  • Genesis 3:21

    And Jehovah God made for Adam and for his wife coats of skins, and clothed them.

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