1 Corinthians 10:17
New International Version
Because there is one loaf, we, who are many, are one body, for we all share the one loaf.

New Living Translation
And though we are many, we all eat from one loaf of bread, showing that we are one body.

English Standard Version
Because there is one bread, we who are many are one body, for we all partake of the one bread.

Berean Standard Bible
Because there is one loaf, we who are many are one body; for we all partake of the one loaf.

Berean Literal Bible
Because there is one loaf, we the many are one body; for we all partake of the one loaf.

King James Bible
For we being many are one bread, and one body: for we are all partakers of that one bread.

New King James Version
For we, though many, are one bread and one body; for we all partake of that one bread.

New American Standard Bible
Since there is one loaf, we who are many are one body; for we all partake of the one loaf.

NASB 1995
Since there is one bread, we who are many are one body; for we all partake of the one bread.

NASB 1977
Since there is one bread, we who are many are one body; for we all partake of the one bread.

Legacy Standard Bible
Since there is one bread, we who are many are one body, for we all partake of the one bread.

Amplified Bible
Since there is one bread, we [believers] who are many are [united into] one body; for we all partake of the one bread [which represents the body of Christ].

Christian Standard Bible
Because there is one bread, we who are many are one body, since all of us share the one bread.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Because there is one bread, we who are many are one body, for all of us share that one bread.

American Standard Version
seeing that we, who are many, are one bread, one body: for we are all partake of the one bread.

Contemporary English Version
By sharing in the same loaf of bread, we become one body, even though there are many of us.

English Revised Version
seeing that we, who are many, are one bread, one body: for we all partake of the one bread.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Because there is one loaf, we are one body, although we are many individuals. All of us share one loaf.

Good News Translation
Because there is the one loaf of bread, all of us, though many, are one body, for we all share the same loaf.

International Standard Version
Because there is one loaf, we who are many are one body, because all of us eat from the same loaf.

Majority Standard Bible
Because there is one loaf, we who are many are one body; for we all partake of the one loaf.

NET Bible
Because there is one bread, we who are many are one body, for we all share the one bread.

New Heart English Bible
Because there is one loaf of bread, we, who are many, are one body; for we all partake of the one loaf of bread.

Webster's Bible Translation
For we being many are one bread, and one body: for we are all partakers of that one bread.

Weymouth New Testament
Since there is one loaf, we who are many are one body; we, all of us, share in that one loaf.

World English Bible
Because there is one loaf of bread, we, who are many, are one body; for we all partake of the one loaf of bread.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
Because one bread, one body, are we the many—for we all partake of the one bread.

Berean Literal Bible
Because there is one loaf, we the many are one body; for we all partake of the one loaf.

Young's Literal Translation
because one bread, one body, are we the many -- for we all of the one bread do partake.

Smith's Literal Translation
That, one bread, one body, we are many: for we all partake of one bread.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
For we, being many, are one bread, one body, all that partake of one bread.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Through the one bread, we, though many, are one body: all of us who are partakers of the one bread.

New American Bible
Because the loaf of bread is one, we, though many, are one body, for we all partake of the one loaf.

New Revised Standard Version
Because there is one bread, we who are many are one body, for we all partake of the one bread.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
For just as the loaf of bread is one, so we are all one body; for we are all partakers of that one bread.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
Just as that is one bread, and thus we are all one body, for we all receive from that which is one bread.
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
Because the loaf is one, we, the many, are one body, for we are all partakers of the one loaf.

Godbey New Testament
Because we, being many, are one bread, one body: for we all partake of one bread.

Haweis New Testament
For we, though many, are one loaf, one body; for we all partake of that one loaf.

Mace New Testament
for the bread being one, as many as we are, we are one body: for we are all partakers of that one bread.

Weymouth New Testament
Since there is one loaf, we who are many are one body; we, all of us, share in that one loaf.

Worrell New Testament
because we, the many, are one bread, one body; for we all partake of the one bread.

Worsley New Testament
For the bread is one, and we though many are one body; for we all partake of that one bread.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Flee from Idolatry
16Is not the cup of blessing that we bless a participation in the blood of Christ? And is not the bread that we break a participation in the body of Christ? 17Because there is one loaf, we who are many are one body; for we all partake of the one loaf. 18Consider the people of Israel: Are not those who eat the sacrifices fellow partakers in the altar?…

Cross References
John 6:53-56
So Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I tell you, unless you eat the flesh and drink the blood of the Son of Man, you have no life in you. / Whoever eats My flesh and drinks My blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day. / For My flesh is real food, and My blood is real drink. ...

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.

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.

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.

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.

Acts 2:42
They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.

Ephesians 2:14-16
For He Himself is our peace, who has made the two one and has torn down the dividing wall of hostility / by abolishing in His flesh the law of commandments and decrees. He did this to create in Himself one new man out of the two, thus making peace / and reconciling both of them to God in one body through the cross, by which He put to death their hostility.

1 Corinthians 12:12-13
The body is a unit, though it is composed of many parts. And although its parts are many, they all form one body. So it is with Christ. / For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, slave or free, and we were all given one Spirit to drink.

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.

Romans 15:6
so that with one mind and one voice you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Philippians 2:1-2
Therefore if you have any encouragement in Christ, if any comfort from His love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any affection and compassion, / then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being united in spirit and purpose.

Hebrews 10:24-25
And let us consider how to spur one another on to love and good deeds. / Let us not neglect meeting together, as some have made a habit, but let us encourage one another, and all the more as you see the Day approaching.

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

Isaiah 65:8
This is what the LORD says: “As the new wine is found in a cluster of grapes, and men say, ‘Do not destroy it, for it contains a blessing,’ so I will act on behalf of My servants; I will not destroy them all.


Treasury of Scripture

For we being many are one bread, and one body: for we are all partakers of that one bread.

we being.

1 Corinthians 12:12,27
For 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…

Romans 12:5
So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another.

Galatians 3:26-28
For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus…

that.

1 Corinthians 10:3,4,21
And did all eat the same spiritual meat; …

1 Corinthians 11:26-28
For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord's death till he come…

Jump to Previous
Body Bread Loaf Part Partake Partakers Persons Share
Jump to Next
Body Bread Loaf Part Partake Partakers Persons Share
1 Corinthians 10
1. The sacraments of the Jews are types of ours;
7. and their punishments,
11. examples for us.
13. We must flee from idolatry.
21. We must not make the Lord's table the table of demons;
24. and in all things we must have regard for our brothers.














Because there is one loaf
This phrase emphasizes the unity of believers in Christ. The Greek word for "loaf" is "artos," which can refer to bread in general but here symbolizes the body of Christ. In the context of the early church, bread was a staple of life and a central element in the Lord's Supper, representing the body of Christ broken for believers. The "one loaf" signifies the singular, undivided body of Christ, which all believers partake in, highlighting the unity and oneness of the church. Historically, the communal meal was a significant aspect of early Christian worship, reflecting the shared life and fellowship among believers.

we who are many
This phrase acknowledges the diversity within the body of Christ. The Greek word "polloi" means "many" and indicates the multitude of believers from various backgrounds, cultures, and ethnicities. Despite this diversity, there is a profound unity in Christ. The early church was composed of Jews and Gentiles, rich and poor, male and female, all brought together by their faith in Jesus. This diversity within unity is a testament to the transformative power of the Gospel, breaking down barriers and creating a new community in Christ.

are one body
The concept of "one body" is central to Paul's theology and is a recurring theme in his letters. The Greek word "soma" means "body" and is used metaphorically to describe the church as the body of Christ. This imagery conveys the idea that just as a physical body is made up of many parts working together, so too is the church composed of many members, each with unique gifts and roles, yet all functioning together as one. This unity is not merely organizational but spiritual, rooted in the believers' shared identity in Christ.

for we all partake of the one loaf
The act of partaking in the "one loaf" is a powerful symbol of unity and fellowship among believers. The Greek word "metechomen" means "to partake" or "to share," indicating a communal participation in the body of Christ. This participation is not just a ritual act but a profound expression of the believers' union with Christ and with one another. The early church's practice of the Lord's Supper was a tangible expression of this unity, as believers gathered to remember Christ's sacrifice and to affirm their commitment to one another as members of His body. This shared participation underscores the spiritual reality that, despite individual differences, all believers are united in Christ through His sacrifice.

(17) For we being many are one bread.--Better, For it is one bread, and we, the many, are one body, for we all take a portion of that one bread. This verse explains how "the breaking" of the bread was the significant act which expressed sacramentally the communion of the body of Christ. There is one bread, it is broken into many pieces, and as we all (though each receives only a fragment) partake of the one bread which unbroken consisted of these pieces, we though many individuals are one body, even the Body of Christ with whom, as well as with each other, we have communion in that act.

Verse 17. - We being many are one bread, and one body. It is easy to see how we are "one body," of which Christ is the Head, and we are the members. This is the metaphor used in 1 Corinthians 12:12, 13 and Romans 12:5. The more difficult expression, "we are one bread," is explained in the next clause. The meaning seems to be - We all partake of the loaf, and thereby become qualitatively, as it were, a part of it, as it of us, even as we all become members of Christ's one body, which that loaf sacramentally represents Some commentators, disliking the harshness of the expression, render it, "Because there is one bread, we being many are one body;" or, "For there is one bread. We being many are one body." But the language and context support the rendering of our version; and the supposed "physiology" is not so modern as to be at all surprising.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
Because [there is]
ὅτι (hoti)
Conjunction
Strong's 3754: Neuter of hostis as conjunction; demonstrative, that; causative, because.

one
εἷς (heis)
Adjective - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 1520: One. (including the neuter Hen); a primary numeral; one.

loaf,
ἄρτος (artos)
Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 740: Bread, a loaf, food. From airo; bread or a loaf.

[we who are]
οἱ (hoi)
Article - Nominative 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.

many
πολλοί (polloi)
Adjective - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 4183: Much, many; often.

are
ἐσμεν (esmen)
Verb - Present Indicative Active - 1st Person Plural
Strong's 1510: I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist.

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.

for
γὰρ (gar)
Conjunction
Strong's 1063: For. A primary particle; properly, assigning a reason.

we all partake
μετέχομεν (metechomen)
Verb - Present Indicative Active - 1st Person Plural
Strong's 3348: From meta and echo; to share or participate; by implication, belong to, eat.

of
ἐκ (ek)
Preposition
Strong's 1537: From out, out from among, from, suggesting from the interior outwards. A primary preposition denoting origin, from, out.

the
τοῦ (tou)
Article - Genitive 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.

one
ἑνὸς (henos)
Adjective - Genitive Masculine Singular
Strong's 1520: One. (including the neuter Hen); a primary numeral; one.

loaf.
ἄρτου (artou)
Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular
Strong's 740: Bread, a loaf, food. From airo; bread or a loaf.


Links
1 Corinthians 10:17 NIV
1 Corinthians 10:17 NLT
1 Corinthians 10:17 ESV
1 Corinthians 10:17 NASB
1 Corinthians 10:17 KJV

1 Corinthians 10:17 BibleApps.com
1 Corinthians 10:17 Biblia Paralela
1 Corinthians 10:17 Chinese Bible
1 Corinthians 10:17 French Bible
1 Corinthians 10:17 Catholic Bible

NT Letters: 1 Corinthians 10:17 Because there is one loaf of bread (1 Cor. 1C iC 1Cor i cor icor)
1 Corinthians 10:16
Top of Page
Top of Page