1 Corinthians 12:25
What does 1 Corinthians 12:25 mean?
A plain-English look at 1 Corinthians 12:25 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What 1 Corinthians 12:25 means
God’s purpose in arranging the body is that there be no schism—no division—but that members have the same care for one another. Unity is not mere structure; it is active concern. Equal care means attending to each other’s needs without partiality. This verse exposes how pride and neglect fracture fellowship, while God’s honor-sharing design heals it. In Christ’s body, mutuality replaces rivalry. The measure of spiritual maturity is seen in how members look after each other, not in how loudly gifts are displayed. The Spirit’s manifestations thus serve love-driven community.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000that there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another.
KJV
King James Version · 1611That there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901that there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949So that there might be no division in the body; but all the parts might have the same care for one another.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862that there may be no division in the body, but that the members may have the same anxiety for one another,
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752That there might be no schism in the body: but the members might be mutually careful one for another.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890that there might be no division in the body, but that the members might have the same concern one for another.
Context
After describing God’s compensating design for honor (verse 24), Paul states the intended outcome: unity expressed in mutual care. This sets up the final relational result in verse 26: shared suffering and rejoicing. Then verse 27 will apply the body metaphor directly to the Corinthians. The flow crystallizes the goal of the whole section—practical, loving solidarity rooted in God’s arrangement of diverse members.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- 2 Corinthians 13:11
Finally, brethren, farewell. Be perfected; be comforted; be of the same mind; live in peace: and the God of love and peace shall be with you.
- 1 Corinthians 1:10
Now I beseech you, brethren, through the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfected together in the same mind and in the same judgment.
- 1 Corinthians 3:3
for ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you jealousy and strife, are ye not carnal, and do ye not walk after the manner of men?
- 2 Corinthians 7:12
So although I wrote unto you, I wrote not for his cause that did the wrong, nor for his cause that suffered the wrong, but that your earnest care for us might be made manifest unto you in the sight of God.
- 2 Corinthians 8:16
But thanks be to God, who putteth the same earnest care for you into the heart of Titus.
- John 17:21
that they may all be one; even as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be in us: that the world may believe that thou didst send me.
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