Romans 12:4
New International Version
For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function,

New Living Translation
Just as our bodies have many parts and each part has a special function,

English Standard Version
For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function,

Berean Standard Bible
Just as each of us has one body with many members, and not all members have the same function,

Berean Literal Bible
For just as in one body we have many members, and not all the members have the same function,

King James Bible
For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office:

New King James Version
For as we have many members in one body, but all the members do not have the same function,

New American Standard Bible
For just as we have many parts in one body and all the body’s parts do not have the same function,

NASB 1995
For just as we have many members in one body and all the members do not have the same function,

NASB 1977
For just as we have many members in one body and all the members do not have the same function,

Legacy Standard Bible
For just as we have many members in one body and all the members do not have the same function,

Amplified Bible
For just as in one [physical] body we have many parts, and these parts do not all have the same function or special use,

Christian Standard Bible
Now as we have many parts in one body, and all the parts do not have the same function,

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Now as we have many parts in one body, and all the parts do not have the same function,

American Standard Version
For even as we have many members in one body, and all the members have not the same office:

Contemporary English Version
A body is made up of many parts, and each of them has its own use.

English Revised Version
For even as we have many members in one body, and all the members have not the same office:

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Our bodies have many parts, but these parts don't all do the same thing.

Good News Translation
We have many parts in the one body, and all these parts have different functions.

International Standard Version
For we have many parts in one body, but these parts do not all have the same function.

Majority Standard Bible
Just as each of us has one body with many members, and not all members have the same function,

NET Bible
For just as in one body we have many members, and not all the members serve the same function,

New Heart English Bible
For even as we have many members in one body, and all the members do not have the same function,

Webster's Bible Translation
For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office:

Weymouth New Testament
For just as there are in the one human body many parts, and these parts have not all the same function;

World English Bible
For even as we have many members in one body, and all the members don’t have the same function,
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
for as in one body we have many members, and all the members do not have the same office,

Berean Literal Bible
For just as in one body we have many members, and not all the members have the same function,

Young's Literal Translation
for as in one body we have many members, and all the members have not the same office,

Smith's Literal Translation
For as in one body we have many members, and all members have not the same action:
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
For as in one body we have many members, but all the members have not the same office:

Catholic Public Domain Version
For just as, within one body, we have many parts, though all the parts do not have the same role,

New American Bible
For as in one body we have many parts, and all the parts do not have the same function,

New Revised Standard Version
For as in one body we have many members, and not all the members have the same function,
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same function,

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
For just as we have many members in one body, and all those members do not have one function,
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
For as we have many members in one body, and all the members have not the same office,

Godbey New Testament
For we indeed have many members in one body, but all the members have not the same office:

Haweis New Testament
For as we have in one body many members, but the members, though many, have not the same function,

Mace New Testament
for as there are many members in one and the same body, but all the members have not the same office:

Weymouth New Testament
For just as there are in the one human body many parts, and these parts have not all the same function;

Worrell New Testament
For even as we have many members in one body, and all the members have not the same office;

Worsley New Testament
For as in one body we have many members, and all the members have not the same office:

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Living Sacrifices
3For 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. 4 Just as each of us has one body with many members, and not all members have the same function, 5so in Christ we who are many are one body, and each member belongs to one another.…

Cross References
1 Corinthians 12:12-27
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. / For the body does not consist of one part, but of many. ...

Ephesians 4:4-16
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. ...

1 Corinthians 10:17
Because there is one loaf, we who are many are one body; for we all partake of the one loaf.

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.

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.

1 Corinthians 12:4-6
There are different gifts, but the same Spirit. / There are different ministries, but the same Lord. / There are different ways of working, but the same God works all things in all people.

1 Corinthians 12:11
All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, who apportions them to each one as He determines.

Ephesians 2:16
and reconciling both of them to God in one body through the cross, by which He put to death their hostility.

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.

1 Corinthians 12:20
As it is, there are many parts, but one body.

1 Corinthians 12:14
For the body does not consist of one part, but of many.

1 Corinthians 12:18
But in fact, God has arranged the members of the body, every one of them, according to His design.

1 Corinthians 12:25
so that there should be no division in the body, but that its members should have mutual concern for one another.

1 Corinthians 12:27
Now you are the body of Christ, and each of you is a member of it.


Treasury of Scripture

For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office:

1 Corinthians 12:4,12,27
Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit…

Ephesians 4:15,16
But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ: …

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Body Function Human Members Office Parts Use
Romans 12
1. God's mercies must move us to offer ourselves.
3. No man must think too well of himself;
6. but everyone attend to the calling wherein he is placed.
9. Love, and many other duties are required of us.
19. Revenge is especially forbidden.














Just as each of us
This phrase emphasizes the universality and inclusivity of Paul's message. The Greek word for "each" (ἕκαστος, hekastos) underscores the individuality within the collective body of believers. Paul is addressing every believer, affirming that each person is a vital part of the Christian community. Historically, this reflects the early church's struggle to unify diverse groups, including Jews and Gentiles, into one body of Christ.

has one body
The concept of "one body" (σῶμα, sōma) is central to Paul's theology. It signifies unity and interconnectedness among believers. Archaeological findings from early Christian communities show that this metaphor was crucial in fostering a sense of belonging and purpose. The "one body" imagery is a call to unity, reflecting the singularity of purpose and mission in Christ.

with many members
The phrase "many members" (μέλη, melē) highlights diversity within unity. Each "member" or part has a unique role, much like the various parts of a physical body. This diversity is not a source of division but a strength, as it allows the body to function effectively. Historically, this was a radical idea in a society often divided by class, ethnicity, and status.

and not all members
This part of the verse acknowledges the differences among believers. The Greek word for "not all" (οὐ πάντες, ou pantes) indicates that while all are part of the body, they do not share the same role or function. This distinction is crucial for understanding the complementary nature of spiritual gifts and roles within the church.

have the same function
The word "function" (πρᾶξις, praxis) refers to the specific roles or activities each member performs. In the early church, as now, recognizing and valuing different functions was essential for harmony and effectiveness. This phrase encourages believers to appreciate their unique contributions and to work together for the common good, reflecting the diverse yet unified nature of the body of Christ.

(4, 5) In the church there must be a graduation, a hierarchy, a division of labour, every one doing that for which he is best fitted, just as in the body one member has one office assigned to it, and another another. All Christians, viewed collectively, make up one body, the unity of which is supplied by their relation to Christ. Viewed individually, they stand to each other in the same sort of relation as the different limbs and organs of the natural body, as foot and hand, or hand and eye.

(4) Members in one body.--This figure of the body and the members is worked out more fully in 1Corinthians 12:12-27.

Verses 4, 5. - For as in one body we have many members, but all the members have not the same office; so we, the many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another. The illustration of the body with its members to set forth the mutual dependence on each other of the several members of the Church with their several gifts and functions, and the importance of all for the well-being of the whole, is further carried out in 1 Corinthians 12:12, seq. In Ephesians 1:22 and Ephesians 4:15, 16, Christ is regarded, somewhat differently, as the exalted Head over the Church which is his body. Here and in 1 Corinthians 12, the head is not thus distinguished from the rest of the body (see 1 Corinthians 12:21); the whole is "one body in Christ," who is the living Person who unites and animates it.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
Just as
καθάπερ (kathaper)
Adverb
Strong's 2509: Even as, just as. From katha and per; exactly as.

each of us has
ἔχομεν (echomen)
Verb - Present Indicative Active - 1st Person Plural
Strong's 2192: To have, hold, possess. Including an alternate form scheo skheh'-o; a primary verb; to hold.

one
ἑνὶ (heni)
Adjective - Dative Neuter Singular
Strong's 1520: One. (including the neuter Hen); a primary numeral; one.

body
σώματι (sōmati)
Noun - Dative 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.

with
ἐν (en)
Preposition
Strong's 1722: In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; 'in, ' at, on, by, etc.

many
πολλὰ (polla)
Adjective - Accusative Neuter Plural
Strong's 4183: Much, many; often.

members,
μέλη (melē)
Noun - Accusative Neuter Plural
Strong's 3196: A bodily organ, limb, member. Of uncertain affinity; a limb or part of the body.

and
δὲ (de)
Conjunction
Strong's 1161: A primary particle; but, and, etc.

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

all
πάντα (panta)
Adjective - Nominative Neuter Plural
Strong's 3956: All, the whole, every kind of. Including all the forms of declension; apparently a primary word; all, any, every, the whole.

members
μέλη (melē)
Noun - Nominative Neuter Plural
Strong's 3196: A bodily organ, limb, member. Of uncertain affinity; a limb or part of the body.

have
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.

the
τὴν (tēn)
Article - Accusative 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.

same
αὐτὴν (autēn)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Accusative Feminine 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 846: He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.

function,
πρᾶξιν (praxin)
Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 4234: From prasso; practice, i.e. an act; by extension, a function.


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NT Letters: Romans 12:4 For even as we have many members (Rom. Ro)
Romans 12:3
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