Romans 12:4

4 For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function,

Romans 12:4 in Other Translations

KJV
4 For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office:
ESV
4 For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function,
NLT
4 Just as our bodies have many parts and each part has a special function,
MSG
4 In this way we are like the various parts of a human body. Each part gets its meaning from the body as a whole, not the other way around.
CSB
4 Now as we have many parts in one body, and all the parts do not have the same function,

Romans 12:4 Meaning and Commentary

Romans 12:4

For as we have many members in one body
The apostle illustrates what he said last concerning God's dealing to every man the measure of faith, by comparing the church of Christ to an human body, which is but one, and has many members in union with it, and one another; and which are placed in an exact symmetry and proportion, and in proper subserviency to each other, and for the good of the whole:

and all members have not the same office,
or "action"; they do not exercise the same function, and perform the same operation, but each that which is peculiar to itself: the eye only sees, but does not hear, nor taste, nor smell; the ear only hears, but neither sees, or does any of the aforesaid things; the palate tastes, the nose smells, the hand handles, the foot walks, and the same may be observed of the other members of the body, which have not the same, but their particular offices, and all and each of them their usefulness.

Romans 12:4 In-Context

2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.
3 For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you.
4 For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function,
5 so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others.
6 We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith;

Cross References 1

  • 1. 1 Corinthians 12:12-14; Ephesians 4:16
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