14 For (A)the body is not one part, but many. 15 If the foot says, “Because I am not a hand, I am not a part of the body,” it is not for this reason [a]any less a part of the body. 16 And if the ear says, “Because I am not an eye, I am not a part of the body,” it is not for this reason [b]any less a part of the body. 17 If the whole body were an eye, where would the hearing be? If the whole body were hearing, where would the sense of smell be? 18 But now God has (B)arranged the parts, each one of them in the body, (C)just as He desired. 19 If they were all one part, where would the body be? 20 But now (D)there are many parts, but one body. 21 And the eye cannot say to the hand, “I have no need of you”; or again, the head to the feet, “I have no need of you.” 22 On the contrary, [c]it is much truer that the parts of the body which seem to be weaker are necessary; 23 and those parts of the body which we [d]consider less honorable, [e]on these we bestow greater honor, and our less presentable parts become much more presentable, 24 whereas our more presentable parts have no need of it. But God has so composed the body, giving more abundant honor to that part which lacked, 25 so that there may be no [f]division in the body, but that the parts may have the same care for one another. 26 And if one part of the body suffers, all the parts suffer with it; if a part is [g]honored, all the parts rejoice with it.

27 Now you are (E)Christ’s body, and (F)individually parts of it.

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. 1 Corinthians 12:15 Lit not a part
  2. 1 Corinthians 12:16 Lit not a part
  3. 1 Corinthians 12:22 Lit to a much greater degree the parts
  4. 1 Corinthians 12:23 Or think to be
  5. 1 Corinthians 12:23 Or these we clothe with
  6. 1 Corinthians 12:25 Or dissension
  7. 1 Corinthians 12:26 Lit glorified

Bible Gateway Recommends