1 Corinthians 12:25
in 1 Corinthians 12so that there should be no division in the body, but that its members should have mutual concern for one another.
BSB
The same verse in ASV and KJV ▾
ASV
that there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another.
KJV
That there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another.
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This verse in 1 Corinthians 12
Commentary
13 notes on this verseWith those among whom harmony is not secured, however, the bond of peace is not preserved, mildness of spirit is not maintained, but there is dissension, strife and rivalry. It would be a great piece of audacity to call such persons "members of Christ" or to say that they are ruled by him. It would be the expression of an honest mind to say openly that the wisdom of the flesh is master there and wields a royal sovereignty. .
This site's exposition
there should be no division
on 1 Corinthians 12:25-26
The purpose clause names the goal the figure has served since verse 12, that there should be no division in the body, schisma, the word the letter used for Corinth's own factions in 1:10. Verse 26 tests that mutual concern for one another in both directions: every part suffers with it when one part suffers, and if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it. A party spirit glad at a rival's neglect stands far from this.
The record, by era
The Church Fathers2 voices
Paul is saying that the human body is so organized that all its members are necessary, and because of this, all are concerned for one another. One cannot exist without the other, and parts which are thought to be inferior are usually more necessary. No …
"That there should be no schism in the body." Next he also adds the reason, showing that with a view to their profit he both caused it to lack and more abundantly honored it. And what is the reason? "That there should be no schism," saith he, "in the body." (And he said not, "in the members," but, "in the body.") For there would indeed be a great and unfair advantage, if some members were cared for both by nature and by our forethought, others not even by either one of these. Then would they be cut off from one another, from inability to endure the connection. And when these were cut off, there would be harm done also to the rest. Seest thou how he points out, that of necessity "greater honor" is given to "that which lacketh?" "For had not this been so, the injury would have become common to all," saith he. And the reason is, that unless these received great consideration on our part, they would have been rudely treated, as not having the help of nature: and this rude treatment would have been their ruin: their ruin would have divided the body; and the body having been divided, the other members also would have perished, which are far greater than these. Seest thou that the care of these latter is connected with making provision for those? For they have not their being so much in their own nature, as in their being one, by virtue of the body. Wherefore if the body perish, they profit nothing by such health as they have severally. […]
The Medieval Church3 voices
It is not enough, he says, that the members not be divided, but there must be great love and harmony among them; and each one must care for and look after the least member, and care not simply, but "equally," that is, so that the …
He did not say "uncomely" or "dishonored," but "less perfect." For by nature no member is uncomely or dishonored. To the less perfect, he says, He gave greater honor. Therefore do not grieve, for you have been honored more than the others. Here is the …
Secondly, he proposes the final cause, saying: That there be no discord in the body. Which, of course, would follow, if no help were given to the body, is openly avoided, as long as the peace of the Church is maintained by giving to each …
6 more voices on this verse
The Puritans and the Awakening3 voices
The relation wherein Christians stand to Christ and one another. The church, or whole collective body of Christians, in all ages, is his body. Every Christian is a member of his body, and every other Christian stands related to him as a fellow-member (
quarantine:debris (2026-07-29) — unbalanced-parens
That there should be no schism in the body..... No complaint of one member against another, as useless and unnecessary; no murmuring on that account; no tumults and rioting; no rebellion and insurrection of one against another; no dissension, no division.
He tells us that the church is the body of Christ, and the members are variously gifted for the benefit of the whole body, and each particular member,
The Nineteenth Century3 voices
A commentator
Jamieson, Fausset & Brown1802–1910
Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible (1871)
proposed
no schism--(compare 1Co 12:21) --no disunion; referring to the "divisions" noticed (1Co 11:18). care one for another--that is, in behalf of one another.
quarantine:debris (2026-07-29) — starts-lowercase
That there should be no schism in the body - That there should be no unnecessary and independent part in the whole human machine, and that every part should contribute something to the general proportion, symmetry, and beauty of the body. So completely has God tempered the whole together, that not the smallest visible part can be removed from the body without not only injuring its proportions, but producing deformity. Hence the members have the same care one for another. The eyes and ears watch for the general safety of the whole; and they are placed in the head, like sentinels in a tower, that they may perceive the first approach of a foe, and give warning. The hands immediately on an attack exert themselves to defend the head and the body; and the limbs are swift to carry off the body from dangers against which resistance would be vain. Even the heart takes alarm from both the eyes and the ears; and when an attack is made on the body, every external muscle becomes inflated and contracts itself, that, by thus collecting and concentrating its force, it may the more effectually resist the assailants, and contribute to the defense of the system.
A commentator
Albert Barnes1798–1870
Notes, Explanatory and Practical, on the Old and New Testaments (1832-1869)
proposed
That there should be no schism - Margin, “Division;” see note on 1Co 11:18. The sense here is, that the body might be united, and be one harmonious whole; that there should be no separate interests; and that all the parts should be equally necessary, and truly dependent on each other; and that no member should be regarded as separated from the others, or as needless to the welfare of all.
The words behind it
15 Greek wordsEvery Greek word of this verse in the order it stands, with what it means and the door to its own study. The last column counts the times a word stands in the whole Bible: the rarer the word, the more the places it appears belong together.
| Greek | Sound | Meaning | Word study | In the Bible |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ἵνα | ina | so that | G2443 → | 668 times |
| μὴ | me | not | G3361 → | 1066 times |
| ᾖ | e | there may be | G1510 → | 2333 times |
| σχίσμα | schisma | division | G4978 → | 8 times |
| ἐν | en | in | G1722 → | 2738 times |
| τῷ | to | the | G3588 → | 19766 times |
| σώματι, | somati | body, | G4983 → | 142 times |
| ἀλλὰ | alla | but | G235 → | 635 times |
| τὸ | to | the | G3588 → | 19766 times |
| αὐτὸ | auto | same | G846 → | 5565 times |
| ὑπὲρ | huper | for | G5228 → | 155 times |
| ἀλλήλων | allelon | one another | G240 → | 100 times |
| μεριμνῶσιν | merimnosin | may have concern | G3309 → | 19 times |
| τὰ | ta | the | G3588 → | 19766 times |
| μέλη· | mele | members; | G3196 → | 34 times |
ἵναso that
inaG2443 →668 times
μὴnot
meG3361 →1066 times
ᾖthere may be
eG1510 →2333 times
σχίσμαdivision
schismaG4978 →8 times
ἐνin
enG1722 →2738 times
τῷthe
toG3588 →19766 times
σώματι,body,
somatiG4983 →142 times
ἀλλὰbut
allaG235 →635 times
τὸthe
toG3588 →19766 times
αὐτὸsame
autoG846 →5565 times
ὑπὲρfor
huperG5228 →155 times
ἀλλήλωνone another
allelonG240 →100 times
μεριμνῶσινmay have concern
merimnosinG3309 →19 times
τὰthe
taG3588 →19766 times
μέλη·members;
meleG3196 →34 times
A shaded row is a word that stands 400 times or fewer in the Bible.
The walk
8 stopsEach card is a verse this one points to, and under it the verses that one points to in turn. Where several paths arrive at the same place, that place is listed first: the text keeps returning to it.
Through
2 Corinthians 13:11Finally, brothers, rejoice! Aim for perfect harmony, encourage one another, be of one mind, live in peace. And the God of love and peace will be with you.
it leads to
- Hebrews 12:14
Pursue peace with everyone, as well as holiness, without which no one will see the Lord.
- Romans 12:16
Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but enjoy the company of the lowly. Do not be conceited.
- 1 Corinthians 1:10
I appeal to you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree together, so that there may be no divisions among you and that you may be united…
- Romans 15:33
The God of peace be with all of you. Amen.
- Mark 9:50
Salt is good, but if the salt loses its saltiness, with what will you season it? Have salt among yourselves, and be at peace with one another.”
- Hebrews 12:14
Through
2 Corinthians 7:12So even though I wrote to you, it was not on account of the one who did wrong or the one who was harmed, but rather that your earnestness on our behalf would be…
it leads to
- 2 Corinthians 2:9
My purpose in writing you was to see if you would stand the test and be obedient in everything.
- 1 Timothy 3:5
For if someone does not know how to manage his own household, how can he care for the church of God?
- 2 Corinthians 2:9
Through
2 Corinthians 8:16But thanks be to God, who put into the heart of Titus the same devotion I have for you.
it leads to
- Revelation 17:17
For God has put it into their hearts to carry out His purpose by uniting to give their kingdom to the beast, until the words of God are fulfilled.
- Revelation 17:17
Where this verse is studied
On this page
About 1 Corinthians
This page draws on 11 works. Open the list of works
This page draws on Adam Clarke, Commentary on the Bible; Albert Barnes, Notes, Explanatory and Practical, on the First Epistle to the Corinthians; Albert Barnes, Notes, Explanatory and Practical, on the Old and New Testaments (1832-1869); Ambrosiaster, COMMENTARY ON PAUL'S EPISTLES; Basil of Caesarea, Commentary (church-history corpus); Jamieson, Fausset & Brown, Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible; John Chrysostom, Homily on 1 Corinthians 31; John Gill, Exposition of the New Testament (1746-1748); Matthew Henry, Commentary on the Whole Bible; Theophylact of Ohrid, Commentary on 1 Corinthians and Thomas Aquinas, Commentary on 1 Corinthians.