1 Corinthians 12:21
New International Version
The eye cannot say to the hand, “I don’t need you!” And the head cannot say to the feet, “I don’t need you!”

New Living Translation
The eye can never say to the hand, “I don’t need you.” The head can’t say to the feet, “I don’t need you.”

English Standard Version
The eye cannot say to the hand, “I have no need of you,” nor again the head to the feet, “I have no need of you.”

Berean Standard Bible
The eye cannot say to the hand, “I do not need you.” Nor can the head say to the feet, “I do not need you.”

Berean Literal Bible
Now the eye is not able to say to the hand, "I have no need of you." Or again the head to the feet, "I have no need of you."

King James Bible
And the eye cannot say unto the hand, I have no need of thee: nor again the head to the feet, I have no need of you.

New King James Version
And the eye cannot say to the hand, “I have no need of you”; nor again the head to the feet, “I have no need of you.”

New American Standard Bible
And the eye cannot say to the hand, “I have no need of you”; or again, the head to the feet, “I have no need of you.”

NASB 1995
And the eye cannot say to the hand, “I have no need of you"; or again the head to the feet, “I have no need of you.”

NASB 1977
And the eye cannot say to the hand, “I have no need of you”; or again the head to the feet, “I have no need of you.”

Legacy Standard Bible
And the eye cannot say to the hand, “I have no need of you”; or again the head to the feet, “I have no need of you.”

Amplified Bible
The eye cannot say to the hand, “I have no need of you,” nor again the head to the feet, “I have no need of you.”

Christian Standard Bible
The eye cannot say to the hand, “I don’t need you! ” Or again, the head can’t say to the feet, “I don’t need you! ”

Holman Christian Standard Bible
So the eye cannot say to the hand, “I don’t need you!” Or again, the head can’t say to the feet, “I don’t need you!”

American Standard Version
And the eye cannot say to the hand, I have no need of thee: or again the head to the feet, I have no need of you.

Contemporary English Version
That's why the eyes cannot say they don't need the hands. That's also why the head cannot say it doesn't need the feet.

English Revised Version
And the eye cannot say to the hand, I have no need of thee: or again the head to the feet, I have no need of you.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
An eye can't say to a hand, "I don't need you!" Or again, the head can't say to the feet, "I don't need you!"

Good News Translation
So then, the eye cannot say to the hand, "I don't need you!" Nor can the head say to the feet, "Well, I don't need you!"

International Standard Version
The eye cannot say to the hand, "I don't need you," or the head to the feet, "I don't need you."

Majority Standard Bible
The eye cannot say to the hand, ?I do not need you.? Nor can the head say to the feet, ?I do not need you.?

NET Bible
The eye cannot say to the hand, "I do not need you," nor in turn can the head say to the foot, "I do not need you."

New Heart English Bible
The eye cannot say to the hand, "I have no need for you," or again the head to the feet, "I have no need for you."

Webster's Bible Translation
And the eye cannot say to the hand, I have no need of thee: nor again the head to the feet, I have no need of you.

Weymouth New Testament
It is also impossible for the eye to say to the hand, "I do not need you;" or again for the head to say to the feet, "I do not need you."

World English Bible
The eye can’t tell the hand, “I have no need for you,” or again the head to the feet, “I have no need for you.”
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
and an eye is not able to say to the hand, “I have no need of you”; nor again the head to the feet, “I have no need of you.”

Berean Literal Bible
Now the eye is not able to say to the hand, "I have no need of you." Or again the head to the feet, "I have no need of you."

Young's Literal Translation
and an eye is not able to say to the hand, 'I have no need of thee;' nor again the head to the feet, 'I have no need of you.'

Smith's Literal Translation
The eye cannot say to the hand, I have no need of thee: or again the head to the feet, I have no need of you.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And the eye cannot say to the hand: I need not thy help; nor again the head to the feet: I have no need of you.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And the eye cannot say to the hand, “I have no need for your works.” And again, the head cannot say to the feet, “You are of no use to me.”

New American Bible
The eye cannot say to the hand, “I do not need you,” nor again the head to the feet, “I do not need you.”

New Revised Standard Version
The eye cannot say to the hand, “I have no need of you,” nor again the head to the feet, “I have no need of you.”
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
The eye cannot say to the hand, I have no need of you: nor can the head say to the feet, I have no need of you.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
The eye cannot say to the hand, “I do not need you”; neither can the head say to the feet, “I do not need you.”
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
The eye can not say to the hand: I have no need of you; or again, the head to the feet: I have no need of you.

Godbey New Testament
But the eye is not able to say to the hand, I have no need of you: or again the head to the feet, I have no need of you:

Haweis New Testament
Nor can the eye say to the hand, I have no need of thee: or again the head to the feet, I have no need of you.

Mace New Testament
and the eye cannot say to the hand, "I have no need of thee:" nor again, the head to the feet, "I have no need of you."

Weymouth New Testament
It is also impossible for the eye to say to the hand, "I do not need you;" or again for the head to say to the feet, "I do not need you."

Worrell New Testament
And the eye cannot say to the hand, "I have no need of you"; nor again the head to the feet, "I have no need of you."

Worsley New Testament
And the eye cannot say to the hand, I have no need of thee: or again the head to the feet, I have no need of you.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Body of Christ
20As it is, there are many parts, but one body. 21 The eye cannot say to the hand, “I do not need you.” Nor can the head say to the feet, “I do not need you.” 22On the contrary, the parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable,…

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 4:15-16
Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into Christ Himself, who is the head. / 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 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 4:25
Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to his neighbor, for we are all members of one another.

Ephesians 5:30
For we are members of His body.

Romans 12:3
For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but think of yourself with sober judgment, according to the measure of faith God has given you.

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 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!

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 15:5
I am the vine and you are the branches. The one who remains in Me, and I in him, will bear much fruit. For apart from Me you can do nothing.

1 Peter 4:10
As good stewards of the manifold grace of God, each of you should use whatever gift he has received to serve one another.

Ecclesiastes 4:9-12
Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor. / For if one falls down, his companion can lift him up; but pity the one who falls without another to help him up! / Again, if two lie down together, they will keep warm; but how can one keep warm alone? ...

Proverbs 27:17
As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another.

Romans 14:7
For none of us lives to himself alone, and none of us dies to himself alone.


Treasury of Scripture

And the eye cannot say to the hand, I have no need of you: nor again the head to the feet, I have no need of you.

Numbers 10:31,32
And he said, Leave us not, I pray thee; forasmuch as thou knowest how we are to encamp in the wilderness, and thou mayest be to us instead of eyes…

1 Samuel 25:32
And David said to Abigail, Blessed be the LORD God of Israel, which sent thee this day to meet me:

Ezra 10:1-5
Now when Ezra had prayed, and when he had confessed, weeping and casting himself down before the house of God, there assembled unto him out of Israel a very great congregation of men and women and children: for the people wept very sore…

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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.














The eye cannot say to the hand
In this phrase, Paul uses the metaphor of the human body to illustrate the interdependence of believers within the body of Christ, the Church. The "eye" and "hand" represent different members with distinct functions. The Greek word for "eye" is "ophthalmos," which signifies vision and insight, suggesting those with spiritual discernment or leadership roles. The "hand," or "cheir" in Greek, symbolizes action and service. Historically, the hand has been seen as a tool for work and creation, emphasizing the necessity of practical service in the Church. This phrase underscores that no member, regardless of perceived importance, can dismiss another's contribution.

I do not need you
This statement highlights the folly of self-sufficiency and pride within the Church. The Greek word for "need" is "chreia," which implies necessity or requirement. Paul is addressing the tendency of some members to undervalue others, reminding them that every part of the body is essential. In the historical context of Corinth, a city known for its social stratification, this message was particularly poignant. It calls believers to humility and recognition of the diverse gifts God has distributed among His people.

Nor can the head say to the feet
Here, Paul continues the metaphor, with the "head" representing leadership or those in positions of authority within the Church. The Greek word "kephalē" for "head" often denotes authority or source. The "feet," or "pous" in Greek, symbolize those who may be seen as lower in status or function, yet are crucial for movement and progress. This phrase challenges hierarchical thinking, emphasizing that leaders cannot function without the support and movement provided by those they lead. It reflects the biblical principle that leadership is service-oriented and dependent on the whole body.

I do not need you
Reiterating the earlier point, this phrase serves as a powerful reminder of the interconnectedness and mutual dependence of all members of the Church. The repetition of "chreia" (need) reinforces the idea that no one is dispensable. In the scriptural context, this is a call to unity and love, as each member is vital to the health and mission of the Church. It challenges believers to value and honor each other's contributions, fostering a community where every gift is celebrated and utilized for the common good.

Verse 21. - I have no need of thee. A rebuke to the pride of those who thought their own gifts to be exclusively valuable.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
The
(ho)
Article - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

eye
ὀφθαλμὸς (ophthalmos)
Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3788: The eye; fig: the mind's eye. From optanomai; the eye; by implication, vision; figuratively, envy.

cannot
δύναται (dynatai)
Verb - Present Indicative Middle or Passive - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 1410: (a) I am powerful, have (the) power, (b) I am able, I can. Of uncertain affinity; to be able or possible.

say
εἰπεῖν (eipein)
Verb - Aorist Infinitive Active
Strong's 2036: Answer, bid, bring word, command. A primary verb; to speak or say.

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

hand,
χειρί (cheiri)
Noun - Dative Feminine Singular
Strong's 5495: A hand.

“I do
ἔχω (echō)
Verb - Present Indicative Active - 1st Person Singular
Strong's 2192: To have, hold, possess. Including an alternate form scheo skheh'-o; a primary verb; to hold.

not
οὐκ (ouk)
Adverb
Strong's 3756: No, not. Also ouk, and ouch a primary word; the absolute negative adverb; no or not.

need
Χρείαν (Chreian)
Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 5532: From the base of chraomai or chre; employment, i.e. An affair; also occasion, demand, requirement or destitution.

you.”
σου (sou)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive 2nd Person Singular
Strong's 4771: You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou.

[Nor can]
(ē)
Conjunction
Strong's 2228: Or, than. A primary particle of distinction between two connected terms; disjunctive, or; comparative, than.

the
(hē)
Article - Nominative Feminine Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

head [say]
κεφαλὴ (kephalē)
Noun - Nominative Feminine Singular
Strong's 2776: From the primary kapto; the head, literally or figuratively.

to the
τοῖς (tois)
Article - Dative Masculine Plural
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

feet,
ποσίν (posin)
Noun - Dative Masculine Plural
Strong's 4228: The foot. A primary word; a 'foot'.

“I do
ἔχω (echō)
Verb - Present Indicative Active - 1st Person Singular
Strong's 2192: To have, hold, possess. Including an alternate form scheo skheh'-o; a primary verb; to hold.

not
οὐκ (ouk)
Adverb
Strong's 3756: No, not. Also ouk, and ouch a primary word; the absolute negative adverb; no or not.

need
Χρείαν (Chreian)
Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 5532: From the base of chraomai or chre; employment, i.e. An affair; also occasion, demand, requirement or destitution.

you.”
ὑμῶν (hymōn)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive 2nd Person Plural
Strong's 4771: You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou.


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NT Letters: 1 Corinthians 12:21 The eye can't tell the hand (1 Cor. 1C iC 1Cor i cor icor)
1 Corinthians 12:20
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