Devine Scripture

Romans 12:5

What does Romans 12:5 mean?

A plain-English look at Romans 12:5 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Romans 12:5 means

Believers, though many, are one body in Christ. Our unity is not mere agreement but vital union with Christ, which binds us to one another. Being “members one of another” means we belong to each other; my health affects yours and vice versa. Individualism gives way to mutual responsibility, care, and benefit. We cannot pursue spiritual life apart from the body’s life. This identity calls us to serve in ways that build others up, recognizing that Christ is the head and that our diverse roles are coordinated under Him for the flourishing of the whole church.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

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

KJV

King James Version · 1611

So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

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

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

So we, though we are a number of persons, are one body in Christ, and are dependent on one another;

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

so we, the many, one body are in Christ, and members each one of one another.

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

So we, being many, are one body in Christ; and every one members one of another:

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

thus we, [being] many, are one body in Christ, and each one members one of the other.

Context

Moving from the analogy of a human body, Paul now explicitly applies it to the church’s life “in Christ.” This prepares for the list of gifts in verses 6–8, which must be exercised with an awareness of mutual belonging. The sequence underscores that gifts are for the body’s good, not private projects. Immediately after laying the theological basis for unity, Paul turns to practical directions about different ministries, showing how unity and diversity coexist in Christ’s people without rivalry or neglect.

v.4For even as we have many members in one body, and all the members have not the same office:

v.5This passage

v.6And having gifts differing according to the grace that was given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of our faith;

Cross references

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

  • 1 Corinthians 10:17

    seeing that we, who are many, are one bread, one body: for we all partake of the one bread.

  • 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 12:27

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

  • Ephesians 1:23

    which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all.

  • Colossians 2:19

    and not holding fast the Head, from whom all the body, being supplied and knit together through the joints and bands, increaseth with the increase of God.

  • Romans 12:4

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

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