1 Corinthians 12:23
New International Version
and the parts that we think are less honorable we treat with special honor. And the parts that are unpresentable are treated with special modesty,

New Living Translation
And the parts we regard as less honorable are those we clothe with the greatest care. So we carefully protect those parts that should not be seen,

English Standard Version
and on those parts of the body that we think less honorable we bestow the greater honor, and our unpresentable parts are treated with greater modesty,

Berean Standard Bible
and the parts we consider less honorable, we treat with greater honor. And our unpresentable parts are treated with special modesty,

Berean Literal Bible
and those of the body we think to be less honorable, these we bestow more abundant honor. And our unpresentable parts have more abundant decorum,

King James Bible
And those members of the body, which we think to be less honourable, upon these we bestow more abundant honour; and our uncomely parts have more abundant comeliness.

New King James Version
And those members of the body which we think to be less honorable, on these we bestow greater honor; and our unpresentable parts have greater modesty,

New American Standard Bible
and those parts of the body which we consider less honorable, on these we bestow greater honor, and our less presentable parts become much more presentable,

NASB 1995
and those members of the body which we deem less honorable, on these we bestow more abundant honor, and our less presentable members become much more presentable,

NASB 1977
and those members of the body, which we deem less honorable, on these we bestow more abundant honor, and our unseemly members come to have more abundant seemliness,

Legacy Standard Bible
and those members of the body which we think as less honorable, on these we bestow more abundant honor, and our less presentable members become much more presentable,

Amplified Bible
and as for those parts of the body which we consider less honorable, these we treat with greater honor; and our less presentable parts are treated with greater modesty,

Christian Standard Bible
And those parts of the body that we consider less honorable, we clothe these with greater honor, and our unrespectable parts are treated with greater respect,

Holman Christian Standard Bible
And those parts of the body that we think to be less honorable, we clothe these with greater honor, and our unpresentable parts have a better presentation.

American Standard Version
and those parts of the body, which we think to be less honorable, upon these we bestow more abundant honor; and our uncomely parts have more abundant comeliness;

Contemporary English Version
We take special care to dress up some parts of our bodies. We are modest about our personal parts,

English Revised Version
and those parts of the body, which we think to be less honourable, upon these we bestow more abundant honour; and our uncomely parts have more abundant comeliness;

GOD'S WORD® Translation
The parts of the body that we think are less honorable are the ones we give special honor. So our unpresentable parts are made more presentable.

Good News Translation
and those parts that we think aren't worth very much are the ones which we treat with greater care; while the parts of the body which don't look very nice are treated with special modesty,

International Standard Version
and the parts of the body that we think are less honorable are treated with special honor, and we make our less attractive parts more attractive.

Majority Standard Bible
and the parts we consider less honorable, we treat with greater honor. And our unpresentable parts are treated with special modesty,

NET Bible
and those members we consider less honorable we clothe with greater honor, and our unpresentable members are clothed with dignity,

New Heart English Bible
and the parts which we think less honorable we treat with greater honor, and our unpresentable parts are treated with dignity,

Webster's Bible Translation
And those members of the body, which we think to be less honorable, upon these we bestow more abundant honor; and our uncomely parts have more abundant comeliness.

Weymouth New Testament
and those which we deem less honorable we clothe with more abundant honor; and so our ungraceful parts come to have a more abundant grace, while our graceful parts have everything they need.

World English Bible
Those parts of the body which we think to be less honorable, on those we bestow more abundant honor; and our unpresentable parts have more abundant modesty,
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
and those that we think to be less honorable of the body, around these we put more abundant honor, and our unseemly things have more abundant seemliness,

Berean Literal Bible
and those of the body we think to be less honorable, these we bestow more abundant honor. And our unpresentable parts have more abundant decorum,

Young's Literal Translation
and those that we think to be less honourable of the body, around these we put more abundant honour, and our unseemly things have seemliness more abundant,

Smith's Literal Translation
And what we think to be less honourable of the body, upon these we put more abundant honour; and our unseemly parts have more abundant decorum.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And such as we think to be the less honourable members of the body, about these we put more abundant honour; and those that are our uncomely parts, have more abundant comeliness.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And though we consider certain parts of the body to be less noble, we surround these with more abundant dignity, and so, those parts which are less presentable end up with more abundant respect.

New American Bible
and those parts of the body that we consider less honorable we surround with greater honor, and our less presentable parts are treated with greater propriety,

New Revised Standard Version
and those members of the body that we think less honorable we clothe with greater honor, and our less respectable members are treated with greater respect;
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And those members of the body, which we think to be less honorable, we bestow more abundant honor; and the parts that are uncomely, we dress with greater care.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
And those which we think are shameful in the body, we increase greater honor to these and for those that are contemptible we make greater attire.
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
And those members of the body, which, we think, are less honorable, around these we place the more abundant honor; and our uncomely members have the more abundant comeliness:

Godbey New Testament
and those which we regard the more dishonorable members of the body, upon these we confer the more abundant honors; and our uncomely members have the more abundant comeliness;

Haweis New Testament
and those parts which we esteem as the more dishonourable of the body, on them we bestow more abundant honour, and our uncomely parts have more abundant comeliness.

Mace New Testament
what we think to be less honourable, is loaded with additional ornaments, and the less graceful have adventitious finery,

Weymouth New Testament
and those which we deem less honorable we clothe with more abundant honor; and so our ungraceful parts come to have a more abundant grace, while our graceful parts have everything they need.

Worrell New Testament
and those members which we think to be less honorable, upon these we bestow more abundant honor; and our uncomely parts have more abundant comeliness;

Worsley New Testament
and those which we judge the less honorable parts we clothe with more abundant honor; and so our less comely parts have more comeliness added to them, of which our comely ones have no need.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Body of Christ
22On the contrary, the parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, 23and the parts we consider less honorable, we treat with greater honor. And our unpresentable parts are treated with special modesty, 24whereas our presentable parts have no such need. But God has composed the body and has given greater honor to the parts that lacked it,…

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 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 4:11-12
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,

Ephesians 5:28-30
In the same way, husbands ought to love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. / Indeed, no one ever hated his own body, but he nourishes and cherishes it, just as Christ does the church. / For we are members of His body.

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.

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 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 14:26
What then shall we say, brothers? When you come together, everyone has a psalm or a teaching, a revelation, a tongue, or an interpretation. All of these must be done to build up the church.

2 Corinthians 4:7
Now we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this surpassingly great power is from God and not from us.

2 Corinthians 12:9-10
But He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is perfected in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly in my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest on me. / That is why, for the sake of Christ, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

Galatians 6:2
Carry one another’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.

Philippians 2:3-4
Do nothing out of selfish ambition or empty pride, but in humility consider others more important than yourselves. / Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.

Matthew 25:40
And the King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of Mine, you did for Me.’


Treasury of Scripture

And those members of the body, which we think to be less honorable, on these we bestow more abundant honor; and our uncomely parts have more abundant comeliness.

bestow.

Genesis 3:7,21
And the eyes of them both were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together, and made themselves aprons…

Jump to Previous
Abundant Bestow Body Cause Clothe Deem Esteem Grace Graceful Greater Honor Honorable Honour Honourable Invest Less Members Modesty Parts Presentable Propriety Respect Seem Shame Think Treat Treated Uncomely
Jump to Next
Abundant Bestow Body Cause Clothe Deem Esteem Grace Graceful Greater Honor Honorable Honour Honourable Invest Less Members Modesty Parts Presentable Propriety Respect Seem Shame Think Treat Treated Uncomely
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.














and the parts we consider less honorable
In this phrase, Paul addresses the concept of honor within the body of Christ, using the metaphor of the human body. The Greek word for "less honorable" is "atimos," which implies something that lacks esteem or is considered insignificant. Historically, in the Greco-Roman world, societal structures often marginalized certain individuals or groups. Paul challenges this by suggesting that within the church, those who might be deemed less honorable by worldly standards are to be given greater honor. This reflects the Christian principle that all members of the body of Christ are valuable and indispensable, regardless of their perceived status.

we treat with greater honor
The Greek word for "honor" is "timē," which conveys a sense of value, respect, and reverence. In the context of the early church, this would mean actively elevating and valuing those who might otherwise be overlooked. This is a radical departure from the cultural norms of the time, where honor was often reserved for the wealthy or powerful. Paul is advocating for a counter-cultural approach that mirrors the teachings of Jesus, who often uplifted the marginalized and taught that the last shall be first (Matthew 20:16).

And our unpresentable parts
The term "unpresentable" comes from the Greek "aschēmōn," meaning indecent or unseemly. Paul uses this metaphor to describe parts of the body that are typically covered or hidden. In a broader sense, this can be understood as those aspects of the church or its members that might be considered less dignified or more vulnerable. The historical context of this metaphor would resonate with a society that placed great emphasis on public appearance and social status.

are treated with special modesty
The Greek word for "modesty" is "euschēmosynē," which implies decorum, propriety, and respectability. Paul emphasizes that these "unpresentable" parts are to be treated with care and respect, ensuring they are protected and honored. This reflects the Christian ethic of love and care for one another, as each member of the body is essential and worthy of dignity. In a spiritual sense, this calls the church to be a place where all individuals, regardless of their perceived weaknesses or vulnerabilities, are cherished and safeguarded.

Verse 23. - Which we think to be less honourable. The shelter and ornament of clothing are used to cover those parts of the body which are conventionally regarded as the least seemly. The whole of this illustration is meant to show that rich and poor, great and small, high and low, gifted and ungifted, have all their own separate and indispensable functions, and no class of Christians can wisely disparage or forego the aid derived from other and different classes. The unity of the members in one body corresponds to "the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace" which should prevail in the Church.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
and
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

the
(ha)
Personal / Relative Pronoun - Accusative Neuter Plural
Strong's 3739: Who, which, what, that.

[parts]
σώματος (sōmatos)
Noun - Genitive 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.

we consider
δοκοῦμεν (dokoumen)
Verb - Present Indicative Active - 1st Person Plural
Strong's 1380: A prolonged form of a primary verb, doko dok'-o of the same meaning; to think; by implication, to seem.

less honorable,
ἀτιμότερα (atimotera)
Adjective - Accusative Neuter Plural - Comparative
Strong's 820: Without honor, despised. (negatively) unhonoured or (positively) dishonoured.

we treat
περιτίθεμεν (peritithemen)
Verb - Present Indicative Active - 1st Person Plural
Strong's 4060: To place or put around, clothe; fig: I bestow, confer. From peri and tithemi; to place around; by implication, to present.

with greater
περισσοτέραν (perissoteran)
Adjective - Accusative Feminine Singular - Comparative
Strong's 4053: From peri; superabundant or superior; by implication, excessive; adverbially violently; neuter preeminence.

honor.
τιμὴν (timēn)
Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 5092: A price, honor. From tino; a value, i.e. Money paid, or valuables; by analogy, esteem, or the dignity itself.

And
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

our
ἡμῶν (hēmōn)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive 1st Person Plural
Strong's 1473: I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I.

unpresentable [parts]
ἀσχήμονα (aschēmona)
Adjective - Nominative Neuter Plural
Strong's 809: Unseemly, indecent. Properly, shapeless, i.e. inelegant.

are treated with
ἔχει (echei)
Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 2192: To have, hold, possess. Including an alternate form scheo skheh'-o; a primary verb; to hold.

special
περισσοτέραν (perissoteran)
Adjective - Accusative Feminine Singular - Comparative
Strong's 4053: From peri; superabundant or superior; by implication, excessive; adverbially violently; neuter preeminence.

modesty,
εὐσχημοσύνην (euschēmosynēn)
Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 2157: Decorum, becomingness, embellishment. From euschemon; decorousness.


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NT Letters: 1 Corinthians 12:23 Those parts of the body which we (1 Cor. 1C iC 1Cor i cor icor)
1 Corinthians 12:22
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