Devine Scripture

Romans 12:4

What does Romans 12:4 mean?

A plain-English look at Romans 12:4 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Romans 12:4 means

Paul uses the human body to illustrate the church. A body has many members—hands, eyes, feet—each with a different function. No single part can do everything, and no part is unnecessary. Diversity is by design. This image teaches interdependence: each member needs the others. It also curbs envy and pride; roles differ, but all serve the life of the one body. God does not value uniformity of function but unity of purpose. Recognizing this helps each believer accept and invest in the particular assignment God gives, contributing to the whole rather than comparing or competing.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

For even as we have many members in one body, and all the members have not the same office:

KJV

King James Version · 1611

For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office:

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

For even as we have many members in one body, and all the members have not the same office:

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

For, as we have a number of parts in one body, but all the parts have not the same use,

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

for as in one body we have many members, and all the members have not the same office,

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

For as in one body we have many members, but all the members have not the same office:

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

For, as in one body we have many members, but all the members have not the same office;

Context

This verse begins the body metaphor that supports Paul’s call to sober self-assessment. Coming right after the warning against thinking too highly of oneself, it supplies a vivid picture: many members, different offices. Verse 5 will apply the image specifically to believers “in Christ,” deepening the unity theme. Then verses 6–8 will enumerate varied gifts and how to use them. The flow shows that renewal of mind produces humble cooperation, not isolation, and that practical service springs from our shared identity as one body.

v.3For I say, through the grace that was given me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but so to think as to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to each man a measure of faith.

v.4This passage

v.5so we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and severally members one of another.

Cross references

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

  • 1 Corinthians 12:27

    Now ye are the body of Christ, and severally members thereof.

  • Ephesians 4:4

    There is one body, and one Spirit, even as also ye were called in one hope of your calling;

  • 1 Corinthians 12:4

    Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit.

  • 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.

  • Ephesians 4:15

    but speaking truth in love, may grow up in all things into him, who is the head, even Christ;

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