Bible Strands
1 Corinthians 12:20
As it is, there are many parts, but one body.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Paul addresses the Corinthian church to correct their factionalism over spiritual gifts. He makes this statement immediately after dismissing the hypothetical of a uniform body in 1 Corinthians 12:19.
The words — The Greek νῦν (nun) renders literally as "now" or "as it is," pivoting from the preceding hypothetical. The phrase πολλὰ μέλη (polla melē) means "many members," which stands in direct grammatical contrast to ἓν σῶμα (hen sōma), "one body."
The thread — This structural claim that many parts constitute a single unit runs through 1 Corinthians 12:14 and 1 Corinthians 12:12. The text uses this established pattern to ground the subsequent argument about mutual dependence in 1 Corinthians 12:21.
Why it lands — The text asserts that functional diversity and organic unity are simultaneous realities, not competing options. A reader must accept that belonging to the single body requires operating within distinct roles rather than demanding uniformity.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Greek words
King James Version
But now are they many members, yet but one body.
Cross-references
- 1 Corinthians 12:14 For the body does not consist of one part, but of many.
- 1 Corinthians 12:12 The body is a unit, though it is composed of many parts. And although its parts are many, they all form one body. So it is with Christ.