1 Corinthians 12:20
New International Version
As it is, there are many parts, but one body.

New Living Translation
Yes, there are many parts, but only one body.

English Standard Version
As it is, there are many parts, yet one body.

Berean Standard Bible
As it is, there are many parts, but one body.

Berean Literal Bible
But now indeed, there are many members, but one body.

King James Bible
But now are they many members, yet but one body.

New King James Version
But now indeed there are many members, yet one body.

New American Standard Bible
But now there are many parts, but one body.

NASB 1995
But now there are many members, but one body.

NASB 1977
But now there are many members, but one body.

Legacy Standard Bible
But now there are many members, but one body.

Amplified Bible
But now [as things really are] there are many parts [different limbs and organs], but a single body.

Christian Standard Bible
As it is, there are many parts, but one body.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Now there are many parts, yet one body.

American Standard Version
But now they are many members, but one body.

Contemporary English Version
It takes many parts to make a single body.

English Revised Version
But now they are many members, but one body.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
So there are many parts but one body.

Good News Translation
As it is, there are many parts but one body.

International Standard Version
So there are many parts, but one body.

Majority Standard Bible
As it is, there are many parts, but one body.

NET Bible
So now there are many members, but one body.

New Heart English Bible
So now there are many members, but one body.

Webster's Bible Translation
But now are they many members, yet but one body.

Weymouth New Testament
But, as a matter of fact, there are many parts and but one body.

World English Bible
But now they are many members, but one body.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And now, indeed, [are] many members, but one body;

Berean Literal Bible
But now indeed, there are many members, but one body.

Young's Literal Translation
and now, indeed, are many members, and one body;

Smith's Literal Translation
And now truly many members, and one body.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
But now there are many members indeed, yet one body.

Catholic Public Domain Version
But instead, there are many parts, indeed, yet one body.

New American Bible
But as it is, there are many parts, yet one body.

New Revised Standard Version
As it is, there are many members, yet one body.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
But now they are many members, yet but one body.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
But now there are many members, but the body is one.
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
But now there are many members, but one body.

Godbey New Testament
But now indeed the members are many, but the body is one.

Haweis New Testament
But now the members indeed are many, but the body one.

Mace New Testament
thus, tho' there are many members, yet there is but one body.

Weymouth New Testament
But, as a matter of fact, there are many parts and but one body.

Worrell New Testament
But now they are many members, but one body.

Worsley New Testament
whereas now there are many members, yet but one body.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Body of Christ
19If they were all one part, where would the body be? 20 As it is, there are many parts, but one body. 21The eye cannot say to the hand, “I do not need you.” Nor can the head say to the feet, “I do not need you.”…

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 4:4-6
There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; / one Lord, one faith, one baptism; / one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.

Ephesians 4:11-13
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, / until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God, as we mature to the full measure of the stature of Christ.

Colossians 3:15
Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, for to this you were called as members of one body. And be thankful.

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

Ephesians 2:16
and reconciling both of them to God in one body through the cross, by which He put to death their hostility.

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 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.

John 17:21-23
that all of them may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I am in You. May they also be in Us, so that the world may believe that You sent Me. / I have given them the glory You gave Me, so that they may be one as We are one— / I in them and You in Me—that they may be perfectly united, so that the world may know that You sent Me and have loved them just as You have loved Me.

Galatians 3:28
There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.

1 Corinthians 6:15
Do you not know that your bodies are members of Christ? Shall I then take the members of Christ and unite them with a prostitute? Never!

1 Corinthians 1:10
I appeal to you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree together, so that there may be no divisions among you and that you may be united in mind and conviction.

Philippians 2:2
then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being united in spirit and purpose.

Acts 4:32
The multitude of believers was one in heart and soul. No one claimed that any of his possessions was his own, but they shared everything they owned.

Psalm 133:1
A song of ascents. Of David. Behold, how good and pleasant it is when brothers live together in harmony!


Treasury of Scripture

But now are they many members, yet but one body.

Jump to Previous
Body Different Fact Indeed Matter Members Parts
Jump to Next
Body Different Fact Indeed Matter Members Parts
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.














As it is
This phrase serves as a transition, emphasizing the current state of affairs within the body of Christ. In the Greek, "νυνὶ δέ" (nyni de) suggests a present reality that contrasts with a previous condition or hypothetical situation. Paul is addressing the Corinthian church, which was struggling with divisions and a lack of unity. Historically, Corinth was a diverse city with a mix of cultures and beliefs, which often led to conflicts within the church. This phrase reminds the readers that despite past or potential divisions, the current truth is one of unity.

there are many parts
The Greek word for "parts" is "μέλη" (melē), which can also be translated as "members" or "limbs." This term is used metaphorically to describe the various individuals and their unique roles within the church. Each member has distinct gifts and functions, as outlined earlier in the chapter. The historical context of the early church shows a community rich in diversity, with Jews and Gentiles, slaves and free, all coming together. This diversity is not a weakness but a strength, as each part contributes to the whole.

but one body
The phrase "one body" is central to Paul's message of unity. The Greek word "σῶμα" (sōma) refers to a physical body, but Paul uses it metaphorically to describe the church as the body of Christ. This imagery is powerful, as it conveys the idea that just as a human body is made up of different parts working together, so too is the church. Archaeological findings from the time, such as inscriptions and artifacts, reveal that the concept of a unified body was a common metaphor in Greco-Roman society, often used to describe political or social unity. Scripturally, this idea is rooted in the teachings of Jesus, who prayed for the unity of His followers (John 17:21). The emphasis on "one body" calls believers to transcend their differences and work together for the common good, reflecting the unity and love of Christ.

(20) But now are they.--From the reductio ad absurdum of the previous verses the Apostle turns to the fact as it is, and proceeds (in 1Corinthians 12:21) to state that there is a mutual interdependence in the members of the body. The eye is dependent on the hand, the head upon the feet. Here, no doubt, the illustration is drawn out in this particular direction to rebuke those who being themselves possessed of what were considered important spiritual gifts despised the gifts which the Spirit had bestowed on others.



Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
As it is,
νῦν (nyn)
Adverb
Strong's 3568: A primary particle of present time; 'now'; also as noun or adjective present or immediate.

[there are] many
πολλὰ (polla)
Adjective - Nominative Neuter Plural
Strong's 4183: Much, many; often.

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

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

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

body.
σῶμα (sōma)
Noun - Nominative 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.


Links
1 Corinthians 12:20 NIV
1 Corinthians 12:20 NLT
1 Corinthians 12:20 ESV
1 Corinthians 12:20 NASB
1 Corinthians 12:20 KJV

1 Corinthians 12:20 BibleApps.com
1 Corinthians 12:20 Biblia Paralela
1 Corinthians 12:20 Chinese Bible
1 Corinthians 12:20 French Bible
1 Corinthians 12:20 Catholic Bible

NT Letters: 1 Corinthians 12:20 But now they are many members (1 Cor. 1C iC 1Cor i cor icor)
1 Corinthians 12:19
Top of Page
Top of Page