1 Corinthians 12:15

Verse

If the foot should say, “Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body,” that would not make it any less a part of the body.

American Standard Version (1901)

If the foot shall say, Because I am not the hand, I am not of the body; it is not therefore not of the body.

Bible in Basic English

If the foot says, Because I am not the hand, I am not a part of the body; it is no less a part of the body.

Douay-Rheims 1899

If the foot should say, because I am not the hand, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body?

Free Bible Version

If the foot were to say, “Because I'm not a hand, I'm not part of the body,” would that make it not part of the body?

Geneva Bible 1599

If the foote would say, Because I am not the hand, I am not of the body, is it therefore not of the body?

King James (Authorized) Version

If the foot shall say, Because I am not the hand, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body?

Plain English Version

Suppose a foot thinks to itself, “I’m not a hand, so I don’t belong to this body.” That doesn’t change anything, it is still a part of the body.

Translation for Translators

If our foot could talk and say to us, “Because I am not your hand, I am not a part of your body,” it would still be a part of our body.

Unlocked Literal Bible

If the foot says, “Since I am not the hand, I am not part of the body,” it is not any less a part of the body.

Noah Webster Bible

If the foot shall say, Because I am not the hand, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body?

World English Bible

If the foot would say, “Because I’m not the hand, I’m not part of the body,” it is not therefore not part of the body.

Young's Literal Translation

if the foot may say, 'Because I am not a hand, I am not of the body;' it is not, because of this, not of the body;

Context

The Body of Christ

¹⁴For the body does not consist of one part, but of many.¹⁵If the foot should say, “Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body,” that would not make it any less a part of the body.¹⁶And if the ear should say, “Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body,” that would not make it any less a part of the body.

Sermons

(One Body in Christ) 3. Equal Members

Zac Poonen

Summary

In this verse, Paul uses the analogy of the human body to illustrate the importance of unity and diversity within the body of Christ. Just as a body is made up of different parts, each with its unique function, so too are believers in the church. No one part is insignificant, and all are essential for the body to function properly. This emphasizes the value of every individual member in contributing to the overall health and effectiveness of the church, promoting harmony and cooperation among believers.

Commentary

Adam Clarke
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
John Gill

Adam Clarke Bible Commentary

If the foot shall say, etc. - As all the members of the body are necessarily dependent on each other, and minister to the general support of the system, so is it in the Church. All the private members are intimately connected among themselves, and also with their pastors; without which union no Church can subsist.

John Gill Bible Commentary

If the foot shall say,.... The lowest member of the body, which is nearest the earth, treads upon it, sustains the whole weight of the body, and performs the more drudging and fatiguing exercises of standing and walking; and may represent one that is in the lowest station in the church, a doorkeeper in the house of God; one that is really the least of saints, as well as thinks himself so; and has the smallest degree of heavenly affection, and knowledge of spiritual light and understanding; because I am not the hand; the instrument of communication and of action; and may signify such an one, that liberally imparts to the necessities of others, who has it both in his hand and heart, and is ready to communicate; one that is full of good works, of charity towards men, and piety towards God; who does all things, Christ strengthening him, natural, civil, moral, and evangelical; yea, even miracles and mighty deeds are done by his hand: I am not of the body; have no part in it, am no member of it, do not belong to it: is it therefore not of the body? or "it is not therefore not of the body", as the Syriac version renders it; that is, it is not "for this word", as the Arabic, or so saying, as the Ethiopic, not of the body; it nevertheless belongs to it, and is a member of it, nor can it be otherwise: thus the meanest person in the mystical body, the church, though he should say, that because he is not so handy and useful as another, cannot give so largely, nor do so much as another, therefore he is no proper member of the church; it does not follow that so it is, for Christ, the head of the church, regards such as members; he admires the "beauty" of his church's "feet", and has provided for the covering, ornament, and security of them, being himself clothed with "a garment down to the feet", which equally covers and adorns that part of the body as the rest; he does not break the bruised reed, nor quench the smoking flax, or despise the day of small things; he regards their prayers, and takes notice and accepts of their meanest services; and they are, and should be considered as members of the body, by the rest and by themselves, the mystical body, the church, though he should say, that because he is not so handy and useful as another, cannot give so largely, nor do so much as another, therefore he is no proper member of the church; it does not follow that so it is, for Christ, the head of the church, regards such as members; he admires the "beauty" of his church's "feet", and has provided for the covering, ornament, and security of them, being himself clothed with "a garment down to the feet", which equally covers and adorns that part of the body as the rest; he does not break the bruised reed, nor quench the smoking flax, or despise the day of small things; he regards their prayers, and takes notice and accepts of their meanest services; and they are, and should be considered as members of the body, by the rest and by themselves.

1 Corinthians 12:15

The Body of Christ

Scripture
Sermons
Commentary

Berean Standard Bible

If the foot should say, “Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body,” that would not make it any less a part of the body.

American Standard Version (1901)

If the foot shall say, Because I am not the hand, I am not of the body; it is not therefore not of the body.

Bible in Basic English

If the foot says, Because I am not the hand, I am not a part of the body; it is no less a part of the body.

Douay-Rheims 1899

If the foot should say, because I am not the hand, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body?

Free Bible Version

If the foot were to say, “Because I'm not a hand, I'm not part of the body,” would that make it not part of the body?

Geneva Bible 1599

If the foote would say, Because I am not the hand, I am not of the body, is it therefore not of the body?

King James (Authorized) Version

If the foot shall say, Because I am not the hand, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body?

Plain English Version

Suppose a foot thinks to itself, “I’m not a hand, so I don’t belong to this body.” That doesn’t change anything, it is still a part of the body.

Translation for Translators

If our foot could talk and say to us, “Because I am not your hand, I am not a part of your body,” it would still be a part of our body.

Unlocked Literal Bible

If the foot says, “Since I am not the hand, I am not part of the body,” it is not any less a part of the body.

Noah Webster Bible

If the foot shall say, Because I am not the hand, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body?

World English Bible

If the foot would say, “Because I’m not the hand, I’m not part of the body,” it is not therefore not part of the body.

Young's Literal Translation

if the foot may say, 'Because I am not a hand, I am not of the body;' it is not, because of this, not of the body;

Adam Clarke
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
John Gill

Adam Clarke Bible Commentary

John Gill Bible Commentary

1 Corinthians 12:15

Verse

Context

The Body of Christ

Sermons

Summary

Commentary

Adam Clarke Bible Commentary

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

John Gill Bible Commentary

1 Corinthians 12:15

The Body of Christ

(One Body in Christ) 3. Equal Members

Adam Clarke Bible Commentary

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

John Gill Bible Commentary