1 Corinthians 12:18
New International Version
But in fact God has placed the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be.

New Living Translation
But our bodies have many parts, and God has put each part just where he wants it.

English Standard Version
But as it is, God arranged the members in the body, each one of them, as he chose.

Berean Standard Bible
But in fact, God has arranged the members of the body, every one of them, according to His design.

Berean Literal Bible
But now God has arranged the members, each one of them in the body, as He desired.

King James Bible
But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him.

New King James Version
But now God has set the members, each one of them, in the body just as He pleased.

New American Standard Bible
But now God has arranged the parts, each one of them in the body, just as He desired.

NASB 1995
But now God has placed the members, each one of them, in the body, just as He desired.

NASB 1977
But now God has placed the members, each one of them, in the body, just as He desired.

Legacy Standard Bible
But now God has appointed the members, each one of them, in the body, just as He desired.

Amplified Bible
But now [as things really are], God has placed and arranged the parts in the body, each one of them, just as He willed and saw fit [with the best balance of function].

Christian Standard Bible
But as it is, God has arranged each one of the parts in the body just as he wanted.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
But now God has placed each one of the parts in one body just as He wanted.

American Standard Version
But now hath God set the members each one of them in the body, even as it pleased him.

Contemporary English Version
But God has put all parts of our body together in the way that he decided is best.

English Revised Version
But now hath God set the members each one of them in the body, even as it pleased him.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
So God put each and every part of the body together as he wanted it.

Good News Translation
As it is, however, God put every different part in the body just as he wanted it to be.

International Standard Version
But now God has arranged the parts, every one of them, in the body according to his plan.

Majority Standard Bible
But in fact, God has arranged the members of the body, every one of them, according to His design.

NET Bible
But as a matter of fact, God has placed each of the members in the body just as he decided.

New Heart English Bible
But as a matter of fact, God has arranged the members of the body, each one of them, according to his design.

Webster's Bible Translation
But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him.

Weymouth New Testament
But, as a matter of fact, God has arranged the parts in the body--every one of them--as He has seen fit.

World English Bible
But now God has set the members, each one of them, in the body, just as he desired.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And now, God set the members, each one of them in the body, according as He willed,

Berean Literal Bible
But now God has arranged the members, each one of them in the body, as He desired.

Young's Literal Translation
and now, God did set the members each one of them in the body, according as He willed,

Smith's Literal Translation
And now has God set the members each one of them in the body, as he would.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
But now God hath set the members every one of them in the body as it hath pleased him.

Catholic Public Domain Version
But instead, God has placed the parts, each one of them, in the body, just as it has pleased him.

New American Bible
But as it is, God placed the parts, each one of them, in the body as he intended.

New Revised Standard Version
But as it is, God arranged the members in the body, each one of them, as he chose.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
But now God has set every member in the body, as it has pleased him.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
But now God has set everyone of the members in the body just as he has chosen.
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
But now God has placed the members, each of them, in the body, as it has pleased him.

Godbey New Testament
But now God has placed the members each one of them in the body, as he wished.

Haweis New Testament
But now hath God placed the members, every one of them in the body, as he hath chosen.

Mace New Testament
now God disposed every one of the members in the body as he thought fit.

Weymouth New Testament
But, as a matter of fact, God has arranged the parts in the body--every one of them--as He has seen fit.

Worrell New Testament
But, as it is, God did set the members, each one of them in the body, even as He willed.

Worsley New Testament
But now God hath placed the members, every one of them in the body, as He pleased.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Body of Christ
17If the whole body were an eye, where would the sense of hearing be? If the whole body were an ear, where would the sense of smell be? 18But in fact, God has arranged the members of the body, every one of them, according to His design. 19If they were all one part, where would the body be?…

Cross References
Romans 12:4-5
Just as each of us has one body with many members, and not all members have the same function, / so in Christ we who are many are one body, and each member belongs to one another.

Ephesians 4:16
From Him the whole body, fitted and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love through the work of each individual part.

Colossians 1:18
And He is the head of the body, the church; He is the beginning and firstborn from among the dead, so that in all things He may have preeminence.

Ephesians 1:22-23
And God put everything under His feet and made Him head over everything for the church, / which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all.

Colossians 2:19
He has lost connection to the head, from whom the whole body, supported and knit together by its joints and ligaments, grows as God causes it to grow.

Ephesians 2:21-22
In Him the whole building is fitted together and grows into a holy temple in the Lord. / And in Him you too are being built together into a dwelling place for God in His Spirit.

1 Peter 2:5
you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.

Romans 9:20-21
But who are you, O man, to talk back to God? Shall what is formed say to Him who formed it, “Why did You make me like this?” / Does not the potter have the right to make from the same lump of clay one vessel for special occasions and another for common use?

Ephesians 4:11-12
And it was He who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, / to equip the saints for works of ministry and to build up the body of Christ,

1 Corinthians 3:6-7
I planted the seed and Apollos watered it, but God made it grow. / So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow.

1 Corinthians 10:17
Because there is one loaf, we who are many are one body; for we all partake of the one loaf.

1 Corinthians 14:12
It is the same with you. Since you are eager to have spiritual gifts, strive to excel in gifts that build up the church.

1 Corinthians 3:9
For we are God’s fellow workers; you are God’s field, God’s building.

1 Corinthians 6:19-20
Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; / you were bought at a price. Therefore glorify God with your body.

1 Corinthians 10:31
So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all to the glory of God.


Treasury of Scripture

But now has God set the members every one of them in the body, as it has pleased him.

hath.

1 Corinthians 12:24,28
For our comely parts have no need: but God hath tempered the body together, having given more abundant honour to that part which lacked: …

as it.

1 Corinthians 12:11
But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will.

1 Corinthians 3:5
Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers by whom ye believed, even as the Lord gave to every man?

1 Corinthians 15:38
But God giveth it a body as it hath pleased him, and to every seed his own body.

Jump to Previous
Arranged Body Chose Desired Fact Fit Matter Members Organs Parts Placed Pleased Pleasing Wanted Willed
Jump to Next
Arranged Body Chose Desired Fact Fit Matter Members Organs Parts Placed Pleased Pleasing Wanted Willed
1 Corinthians 12
1. Spiritual gifts,
4. are diverse,
7. yet to profit all.
8. And to that end are diversely bestowed;
12. as the members of a natural body tend all to the mutual decency,
22. service,
26. and helpfulness of the same body;
27. so we should do for one another, to make up the body of Christ.














But in fact
This phrase serves as a strong contrast to any misconceptions or misunderstandings that might have been present among the Corinthian believers. The Greek word "νυνὶ δέ" (nyni de) emphasizes a present reality, underscoring the truth that Paul is about to convey. It is a call to attention, urging the reader to focus on the divine order and purpose that God has established. This phrase sets the stage for a profound theological truth about God's sovereignty and intentionality.

God has arranged
The Greek word "ἔθετο" (etheto) is used here, which means "to place" or "to set." This verb indicates deliberate action and purpose. In the context of the body of Christ, it signifies that God Himself has intentionally placed each member in the body. This is not a random or haphazard arrangement but a carefully orchestrated design. The use of this word highlights God's active role in the church, affirming His authority and wisdom in the organization of His people.

the members of the body
The term "μέλη" (melē) refers to the parts or members of a body. In the context of 1 Corinthians 12, Paul uses the metaphor of a physical body to describe the church. Each member, or part, has a unique function and purpose. Historically, this metaphor would have resonated with the Corinthian audience, who were familiar with the concept of a body as a unified whole composed of diverse parts. This imagery emphasizes the interconnectedness and interdependence of believers within the church.

every one of them
The phrase "ἕκαστον αὐτῶν" (hekaston autōn) underscores the individuality and uniqueness of each member. It conveys the idea that no one is overlooked or insignificant in God's design. Each person has a specific role and contribution to make. This is a powerful reminder of the value and importance of every believer, countering any feelings of inferiority or superiority that might arise within the church community.

according to His design
The Greek phrase "καθὼς ἠθέλησεν" (kathōs ēthelēsen) translates to "as He willed" or "according to His pleasure." This highlights God's sovereign will and purpose in the arrangement of the body. It is a reminder that God's design is perfect and intentional, reflecting His wisdom and love. The use of this phrase assures believers that their place and function within the church are not accidental but are part of a divine plan. This understanding calls for trust in God's wisdom and a commitment to fulfilling one's role in the body of Christ.

Verse 18. - As it hath pleased him. Not arbitrarily, but in furtherance of one wise and beneficent design, so that each may be honoured and indispensable, and therefore contented in its own sphere.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
But
δὲ (de)
Conjunction
Strong's 1161: A primary particle; but, and, etc.

in fact,
Νυνὶ (Nyni)
Adverb
Strong's 3570: A prolonged form of nun for emphasis; just now.

God
Θεὸς (Theos)
Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 2316: A deity, especially the supreme Divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very.

has arranged
ἔθετο (etheto)
Verb - Aorist Indicative Middle - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 5087: To put, place, lay, set, fix, establish. A prolonged form of a primary theo to place.

the
τὰ (ta)
Article - Accusative Neuter Plural
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

members
μέλη (melē)
Noun - Accusative Neuter Plural
Strong's 3196: A bodily organ, limb, member. Of uncertain affinity; a limb or part of the body.

of
ἐν (en)
Preposition
Strong's 1722: In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; 'in, ' at, on, by, etc.

the
τῷ (tō)
Article - Dative Neuter Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

body,
σώματι (sōmati)
Noun - Dative Neuter Singular
Strong's 4983: Body, flesh; the body of the Church. From sozo; the body, used in a very wide application, literally or figuratively.

every
ἕκαστον (hekaston)
Adjective - Accusative Neuter Singular
Strong's 1538: Each (of more than two), every one. As if a superlative of hekas; each or every.

one
ἓν (hen)
Adjective - Accusative Neuter Singular
Strong's 1520: One. (including the neuter Hen); a primary numeral; one.

of them,
αὐτῶν (autōn)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive Neuter 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 846: He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.

according to
καθὼς (kathōs)
Adverb
Strong's 2531: According to the manner in which, in the degree that, just as, as. From kata and hos; just as, that.

His design.
ἠθέλησεν (ēthelēsen)
Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 2309: To will, wish, desire, be willing, intend, design.


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NT Letters: 1 Corinthians 12:18 But now God has set the members (1 Cor. 1C iC 1Cor i cor icor)
1 Corinthians 12:17
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