So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another.
Parallel translations
- WEB so we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another.
- BSB so in Christ we who are many are one body, and each member belongs to one another.
- NKJV so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another.
- NASB so we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually parts of one another.
- NLT so it is with Christ’s body. We are many parts of one body, and we all belong to each other.
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
Though many, believers form one body in Christ and belong to one another as members.
Overview
Paul completes the body metaphor: union with Christ creates a real corporate unity among believers, who are 'individually members one of another.' This mutual belonging is the basis for the gifts and duties that follow. It teaches that Christian identity is never merely individual but bound up with the whole body of Christ.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 12
- 1 Cor 12:20But now are they many members, yet but one body.
- 1 Cor 12:27–28Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular.
- 1 Cor 10:17For we being many are one bread, and one body: for we are all partakers of that one bread.
- Eph 4:25Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour: for we are members one of another.
- Eph 5:30For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones.
- Col 2:19And not holding the Head, from which all the body by joints and bands having nourishment ministered, and knit together, increaseth with the increase of God.
- 1 Cor 10:33Even as I please all men in all things, not seeking mine own profit, but the profit of many, that they may be saved.
- 1 Cor 12:12–14For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ.
- Col 1:24Who now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up that which is behind of the afflictions of Christ in my flesh for his body’s sake, which is the church:
- Rom 12:4For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office:
- Eph 1:23Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all.
- Eph 5:23For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body.
Themes, concepts, people & topics
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Christ at the center
Paul unfolds the gospel in full: Christ our righteousness received by faith, the second Adam in whom many are made righteous, in whose death and resurrection we are buried and raised.
How Romans 12:5 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.