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Romans 12:4

in Romans 12

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

BSB

The same verse in ASV and KJV ▾

ASV

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

KJV

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

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This verse in Romans 12

Commentary

11 notes on this verse
But that the Apostle might designate these matters still more evidently, he introduces an example and says: For as in one body we have many members, but all the members have not the same function: so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and severally members one of another: composing through these words the whole body of the Church in the most orderly fashion; so that just as the several members of the body have their own proper functions, and each one serves its own offices, and yet it is not possible that they should not yield to one another by mutual consent: so, he says, also in the Church, which is the body of Christ, we severally have diverse functions.

This site's exposition

one body with many members

on Romans 12:4-5

One body has many members, and the members differ in function. Paul uses the same figure at 1 Corinthians 12. In Christ the many are one body, and each belongs to the others, which is the frame the gift list needs.

The record, by era

The Church Fathers2 voices

A commentator

Ambrosiaster

COMMENTARY ON PAUL'S EPISTLES · Written before 384.

proposed

By using the example of the body, Paul teaches that it is impossible for any one of us to do everything on our own, for we are members of each other and need one another. For this reason we ought to behave toward one another …

A commentator

John Chrysostom

Homily on Romans 21 · Written in the 5th century.

proposed

"For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office; so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another." Again he uses the same ensample as he does to the Corinthians, and that to allay the same passion. For great is the power of the medicine, and the force of this illustration for the correcting of this disease of haughtiness. Why (he means) dost thou think highly of thyself? Or why again does another utterly despise himself? Are we not all one body, both great and small? When then we are in the total number but one, and members one of another, why dost thou by thy haughtiness separate thyself? Why dost thou put thy brother to shame? For as he is a member of thee, so art thou also of him. And it is on this score that your claims to honor are so equal. For he has stated two things that might take down their haughty spirit: one that we are members one of another, not the small of the great only, but also the great of the small; and another, that we are all one body. Or rather there are three points, since he shows that the gift was one of grace. "Therefore be not high-minded." For it was given thee of God; thou didst not take it, nor find it even. Hence too, when he touches upon the gifts, he does not say that one received more, and another less, but what? different. For his words are, "having then gifts," not less and greater, but, "differing." And what if thou art not appointed to the same office, still the body is the same. And beginning with gifts, he ends with a good deed; and so after mentioning prophecy, and ministry, and the like, he concludes with mercy, diligence, and succor. […]

The Medieval Church2 voices

A commentator

Thomas Aquinas

Commentary on Romans · Written before 1274.

proposed

After this admonition the Apostle assigns a reason based on the mystical body's likeness to a natural body. First, he touches on three things in a natural body; first, its unity when he says: for as in one body; second, the multiplicity of members when …

A commentator

Theophylact of Ohrid

Commentary on Romans · Written before 1107.

proposed

By the example of the body and its members, he overthrows the great exaltation of pride. The body is one, but it has various members performing various functions. In exactly the same way, we who believe comprise one body in Christ as the head, while …

The Puritans and the Awakening1 voice

A commentator

Matthew Henry

1662–1714

Commentary on the Whole Bible (1710)

Magistrates, ministers, people, in a Christian commonwealth, have their several offices, and must not intrude one upon another, nor clash in the discharge of their several offices. [4.] Each member hath its place and office, for the good and benefit of the whole, and of every other member. We are not only members of Christ, but we are members one of another,
4 more voices on this verse

The Puritans and the Awakening2 voices

A commentator

Matthew Henry

1662–1714

Commentary on the Whole Bible (1710)

Believers lie not in the world as a confused disorderly heap, but are organized and knit together, as they are united to one common head, and actuated and animated by one common Spirit. [2.] Particular believers are members of this body, constituent parts, which speak them less than the whole, and in relation to the whole, deriving life and spirits from the head.
For as we have many members in one body,....

The Nineteenth Century2 voices

A commentator

Adam Clarke

1762–1832

Commentary on the Bible · Written before 1832.

For as we have many members - As the human body consists of many parts, each having its respective office, and all contributing to the perfection and support of the whole; each being indispensably necessary in the place which it occupies, and each equally useful though performing a different function;
For - This word here denotes a further illustration or proof of what he had just before said. The duty to which he was exhorting the Romans was, not to be unduly exalted or elevated in their own estimation. In order to produce proper humility, he shows them that God has appointed certain orders or grades in the church; that all are useful in their proper place; that we should seek to discharge our duty in our appropriate sphere; and thus that due subordination and order would be observed. To show this, he introduces a beautiful comparison drawn from the human body. There are various members in the human frame; all useful and honorable in their proper place; and all designed to promote the order, and beauty, and harmony of the whole. So the church is one body, consisting of many members, and each is suited to be useful and comely in its proper place. The same comparison he uses with great beauty and force in 1Co. 12:4-31; also Eph 4:25; Eph 5:30. In that chapter the comparison is carried out to much greater length, and its influence shown with great force. Many members - Limbs, or parts; feet, hands, eyes, ears, etc.; 1Co 12:14-15. In one body - Constituting one body; or united in one, and making one person. Essential to the existence, beauty, and happiness of the one body or person. The same office - The same use or design; not all appointed for the same thing; one is to see, another to hear, a third to walk with, etc.; 1Co 12:14-23.

The words behind it

17 Greek words

Every 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.

A shaded row is a word that stands 400 times or fewer in the Bible.

Related verses

6 in all, six open

The walk

8 stops

Each 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

    Ephesians 4:4

    There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called;

    it leads to

  • Through

    1 Corinthians 12:4

    There are different gifts, but the same Spirit.

    it leads to

    • 1 Peter 4:10

      As good stewards of the manifold grace of God, each of you should use whatever gift he has received to serve one another.

    • 1 Corinthians 12:28

      And in the church God has appointed first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then workers of miracles, and those with gifts of healing, helping, administration, and various tongues.

  • Through

    1 Corinthians 12:27

    Now you are the body of Christ, and each of you is a member of it.

    it leads to

    • Ephesians 4:12

      to equip the saints for works of ministry and to build up the body of Christ,

    • Ephesians 5:30

      For we are members of His body.

    • Colossians 1:24

      Now I rejoice in my sufferings for you, and I fill up in my flesh what is lacking in regard to Christ’s afflictions for the sake of His body, which is the church.

Where this verse is studied

About Romans

Saint Paul Writing His Epistles, Valentin de Boulogne, about 1618 to 1620, Museum of Fine Arts, Houston. Public domain.
Saint Paul Writing His Epistles, Valentin de Boulogne, about 1618 to 1620, Museum of Fine Arts, Houston. Public domain.
Romans: the study guide →Read Romans 12 →
This page draws on 10 works. Open the list of works

This page draws on Adam Clarke, Commentary on the Bible; Albert Barnes, Notes, Explanatory and Practical, on the Old and New Testaments (1832-1869); Ambrosiaster, COMMENTARY ON PAUL'S EPISTLES; Frederic Godet, Commentary on St. Paul's Epistle to the Romans; John Chrysostom, Homily on Romans 21; John Gill, Exposition of the New Testament (1746-1748); Matthew Henry, Commentary on the Whole Bible; Origen of Alexandria, COMMENTARY ON THE EPISTLE TO THE ROMANS; Theophylact of Ohrid, Commentary on Romans and Thomas Aquinas, Commentary on Romans.

Read on in Romans 12 →