Romans 12:5

Amplified Bible

so we, who are many, are [nevertheless just] one body in Christ, and individually [we are] parts one of another [mutually dependent on each other].

Parallel Translations

Easy-to-Read Version
In the same way, we are many people, but in Christ we are all one body. We are the parts of that body, and each part belongs to all the others.

Revised Standard Version
so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another.

Tyndale New Testament (1525)
so we beynge many are one body in Christ and every man (amoge oure selves) one anothers mebers Seynge

Hebrew Names Version
so we, who are many, are one body in Messiah, and individually members one of another.

International Standard Version
In the same way, even though we are many people, we are one body in Christ and individual parts connected to each other.1 Corinthians 10:17; Ephesians 1:23; 4:25;">[xr]

New American Standard Bible
so we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually parts of one another.

New Century Version
In the same way, we are many, but in Christ we are all one body. Each one is a part of that body, and each part belongs to all the other parts.

Update Bible Version
so we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and severally members one of another.

Webster's Bible Translation
So we, [being] many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another.

English Standard Version
so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another.

World English Bible
so we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another.

Wesley's New Testament (1755)
So we being many are one body in Christ, and every one members of each other.

Weymouth's New Testament
so collectively we form one body in Christ, while individually we are linked to one another as its members.

Wycliffe Bible (1395)
so we many ben o bodi in Crist, and eche ben membris oon of anothir.

English Revised Version
so we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and severally members one of another.

Berean Standard Bible
so in Christ we who are many are one body, and each member belongs to one another.

Contemporary English Version
That's how it is with us. There are many of us, but we each are part of the body of Christ, as well as part of one another.

American Standard Version
so we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and severally members one of another.

Bible in Basic English
So we, though we are a number of persons, are one body in Christ, and are dependent on one another;

Complete Jewish Bible
so there are many of us, and in union with the Messiah we comprise one body, with each of us belonging to the others.

Darby Translation
thus we, [being] many, are one body in Christ, and each one members one of the other.

Etheridge Translation
so also we who are many are one body in the Meshiha; but we are each of us members one of another.

Murdock Translation
so also we, who are [fn] many persons, are one body in Messiah, and are naturally members of each other.

King James Version (1611)
So we being many are one bodie in Christ, and euery one members one of another.

New Living Translation
so it is with Christ's body. We are many parts of one body, and we all belong to each other.

New Life Bible
There are many people who belong to Christ. And yet, we are one body which is Christ's. We are all different but we depend on each other.

New Revised Standard
so we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually we are members one of another.

Geneva Bible (1587)
So we being many are one body in Christ, and euery one, one anothers members.

George Lamsa Translation
So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another.

J.B. Rotherham Emphasized Bible
So, we, the many, are one body in Christ, yet, severally, members one of another.

Douay-Rheims Bible
So we, being many, are one body in Christ; and every one members one of another:

Bishop's Bible (1568)
So, we beyng many, are one body in Christe, and euery one members one of another.

Good News Translation
In the same way, though we are many, we are one body in union with Christ, and we are all joined to each other as different parts of one body.

Christian Standard Bible®
in the same way we who are many are one body in Christ and individually members of one another.

King James Version
So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another.

Lexham English Bible
in the same way we who are many are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another,

Literal Translation
so we the many are one body in Christ, and each one members of one another,

Young's Literal Translation
so we, the many, one body are in Christ, and members each one of one another.

Miles Coverdale Bible (1535)
Euen so we beynge many are one body in Christ. But amonge oure selues euery one is the membre of another,

Mace New Testament (1729)
so we who are many, make all but one body in Christ, and every member subservient to one another.

New English Translation
so we who are many are one body in Christ, and individually we are members who belong to one another.

New King James Version
so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another.

Simplified Cowboy Version
It's the same way with the body of Christ. We are many parts with many functions, but we all belong together and for each other.

New American Standard Bible (1995)
so we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another.

Legacy Standard Bible
so we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another,

Contextual Overview

¹Therefore I urge you, brothers and sisters, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies [dedicating all of yourselves, set apart] as a living sacrifice, holy and well-pleasing to God, which is your rational (logical, intelligent) act of worship. ²And do not be conformed to this world [any longer with its superficial values and customs], but be transformed and progressively changed [as you mature spiritually] by the renewing of your mind [focusing on godly values and ethical attitudes], so that you may prove [for yourselves] what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect [in His plan and purpose for you]. ³For by the grace [of God] given to me I say to everyone of you not to think more highly of himself [and of his importance and ability] than he ought to think; but to think so as to have sound judgment, as God has apportioned to each a degree of faith [and a purpose designed for service]. ⁴For just as in one [physical] body we have many parts, and these parts do not all have the same function or special use, ⁵so we, who are many, are [nevertheless just] one body in Christ, and individually [we are] parts one of another [mutually dependent on each other].⁶Since we have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, each of us is to use them accordingly: if [someone has the gift of] prophecy, [let him speak a new message from God to His people] in proportion to the faith possessed; ⁷if service, in the act of serving; or he who teaches, in the act of teaching; ⁸or he who encourages, in the act of encouragement; he who gives, with generosity; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy [in caring for others], with cheerfulness. ⁹Love is to be sincere and active [the real thing—without guile and hypocrisy]. Hate what is evil [detest all ungodliness, do not tolerate wickedness]; hold on tightly to what is good. ¹⁰Be devoted to one another with [authentic] brotherly affection [as members of one family], give preference to one another in honor;

Bible Verse Review
  from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge

Romans 12:4, 1 Corinthians 10:17, 1 Corinthians 12:12-14, 1 Corinthians 12:20, 1 Corinthians 12:27, 1 Corinthians 12:28, Ephesians 1:23, Ephesians 4:25, Ephesians 5:23, Ephesians 5:30, Colossians 1:24, Colossians 2:19

Reciprocal: John 15:5 - vine John 17:21 - they all Acts 4:32 - the multitude 1 Corinthians 1:30 - in 1 Corinthians 6:15 - your Galatians 2:9 - the grace Galatians 3:16 - which Ephesians 1:3 - in Christ Ephesians 3:6 - the same Ephesians 4:4 - one body Philippians 1:27 - in one

Cross-References

Genesis 10:19
The territory of the Canaanite extended from Sidon as one goes to Gerar, as far as Gaza; and as one goes to Sodom and Gomorrah and Admah and Zeboiim, as far as Lasha.

Genesis 11:31
Terah took Abram his son, and Lot the son of Haran, his grandson, and Sarai his daughter-in-law, his son Abram's wife; and they went out together to go from Ur of the Chaldeans into the land of Canaan; but when they came to Haran [about five hundred and fifty miles northwest of Ur], they settled there.

Genesis 12:5
Abram took Sarai his wife and Lot his nephew, and all their possessions which they had acquired, and the people (servants) which they had acquired in Haran, and they set out to go to the land of Canaan. When they came to the land of Canaan,

Genesis 12:8
Then he moved on from there to the mountain on the east of Bethel, and pitched his tent, with Bethel on the west and Ai on the east; and there he built an altar to the LORD and called on the name of the LORD [in worship through prayer, praise, and thanksgiving].

Genesis 12:9
Then Abram journeyed on, continuing toward the Negev (the South country of Judah).

Genesis 14:14
When Abram heard that his nephew [Lot] had been captured, he armed and led out his trained men, born in his own house, [numbering] three hundred and eighteen, and went in pursuit as far [north] as Dan.

Genesis 14:21
The king of Sodom said to Abram, "Give me the people and keep the goods (spoils of battle) for yourself."

Acts 7:4
"Then he left the land of the Chaldeans and settled in Haran. And from there, after his father died, God sent him to this country in which you now live.

Gill's Notes on the Bible

So we being many are one body in Christ,.... This is the application of the above simile. The chosen of God, the redeemed of Christ, and those that are justified by his righteousness, and sanctified by his Spirit; though they are but few in comparison of the men of the world, but considered in themselves are many, and yet make up but one body, the church, of which Christ is the head: and though this general assembly; or church universal, may be distinguished into several congregational churches, and distinct communities, yet each community, consisting of divers persons, is but one body "in Christ", united and knit together by joints and bands, under him their head, Lord, and King; in him, and not in Caesar, or any earthly monarch, to distinguish this body from bodies politic, or any civil community among men:

and everyone members one of another; as in union with Christ their head, so to one another in love, walking in holy fellowship together, sympathizing with, and serving each other.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

So we, being many - We who are Christians, and who are numerous as individuals.

Are one body - Are united together, constituting one society, or one people, mutually dependent, and having the same great interests at heart, though to be promoted by us according to our special talents and opportunities. As the welfare of the same body is to be promoted in one manner by the feet, in another by the eye, etc.; so the welfare of the body of Christ is to be promoted by discharging our duties in our appropriate sphere, as God has appointed us.

In Christ - One body, joined to Christ, or connected with him as the head; Ephesians 1:22-23, “And gave him to be head over all things to the church, which is his body;” compare John 15:1-7. This does not mean that there is any physical or literal union, or any destruction of personal identity, or any thing particularly mysterious or unintelligible. Christians acknowledge him as their head. that is, their Lawgiver; their Counsellor, Guide, and Redeemer. They are bound to him by especially tender ties of affection, gratitude, and friendship; they are united in him, that is, in acknowledging him as their common Lord and Saviour. Any other unions than this is impossible; and the sacred writers never intended that expressions like these should be explained literally. The union of Christians to Christ is the most tender and interesting of any in this world, but no more mysterious than what binds friend to friend, children to parents, or husbands to their wives; compare Ephesians 5:23-33. (See the supplementary note at Romans 8:17.)

And every one members one of another - Compare 1 Corinthians 12:25-26. That is, we are so united as to be mutually dependent; each one is of service to the other; and the existence and function of the one is necessary to the usefulness of the other. Thus, the members of the body may be said to be members one of another; as the feet could not, for example, perform their functions or be of use if it were not for the eye; the ear, the hand, the teeth, etc., would be useless if it were not for the other members, which go to make up the entire person. Thus, in the church, every individual is not only necessary in his place as an individual, but is needful to the proper symmetry and action of the whole. And we may learn here:

(1) That no member of the church of Christ should esteem himself to be of no importance. In his own place he may be of as much consequence as the man of learning, wealth, and talent may be in his.

(2) God designed that there should be differences of endowments of nature and of grace in the church; just as it was needful that there should be differences in the members of the human body.

(3) No one should despise or lightly esteem another. All are necessary. We can no more spare the foot or the hand than we can the eye; though the latter may be much more curious and striking as a proof of divine skill. We do not despise the hand or the foot any more than we do the eye; and in all we should acknowledge the goodness and wisdom of God. See these thoughts carried out in 1 Corinthians 12:21-25.

Clarke's Notes on the Bible

Verse Romans 12:5. So we, being many — We who are members of the Church of Christ, which is considered the body of which he is the head, have various offices assigned to us, according to the measure of grace, faith and religious knowledge which we possess; and although each has a different office, and qualifications suitable to that office, yet all belong to the same body; and each has as much need of the help of another as that other has of his; therefore, let there be neither pride on the one hand, nor envy on the other. The same metaphor, in nearly the same words, is used in Synopsis Sohar, page 13. "As man is divided into various members and joints, united among themselves, and raised by gradations above each other, and collectively compose one body; so all created things are members orderly disposed, and altogether constitute one body. In like manner the law, distributed into various articulations, constitutes but one body." See Schoettgen.