No, much rather, those members of the body which seem to be weaker are necessary.
Parallel translations
- KJV Nay, much more those members of the body, which seem to be more feeble, are necessary:
- BSB On the contrary, the parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable,
- NKJV No, much rather, those members of the body which seem to be weaker are necessary.
- NASB On the contrary, it is much truer that the parts of the body which seem to be weaker are necessary;
- NLT In fact, some parts of the body that seem weakest and least important are actually the most necessary.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
The parts that seem weaker are in fact indispensable. Apparent weakness does not mean lesser importance in Christ's body.
Overview
Paul overturns worldly valuations of strength and prominence. The members that look fragile are actually necessary to the body's life. In the church this dignifies those who appear unimpressive or weak, echoing the gospel pattern in which God often works His greatest purposes through what the world counts weak.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 6
- Prov 14:28In the multitude of people is the king’s glory, but in the lack of people is the destruction of the prince.
- Eccl 9:14–15There was a little city, and few men within it; and a great king came against it, besieged it, and built great bulwarks against it.
- Eccl 4:9–12Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their labor.
- Eccl 5:9Moreover the profit of the earth is for all. The king profits from the field.
- 2 Cor 1:11you also helping together on our behalf by your supplication; that, for the gift given to us by means of many, thanks may be given by many persons on your behalf.
- Titus 2:9–10Exhort servants to be in subjection to their own masters, and to be well-pleasing in all things; not contradicting;
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Christ at the center
Christ crucified is the wisdom and power of God; he is our Passover sacrificed for us, the firstfruits of resurrection, the foundation on which everything is built.
How 1 Corinthians 12:22 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
Each word below is tagged with its Strong’s number — tap one to see the underlying Greek word, its meaning, and every verse that uses it.