1 Corinthians 12:24
New International Version
while our presentable parts need no special treatment. But God has put the body together, giving greater honor to the parts that lacked it,

New Living Translation
while the more honorable parts do not require this special care. So God has put the body together such that extra honor and care are given to those parts that have less dignity.

English Standard Version
which our more presentable parts do not require. But God has so composed the body, giving greater honor to the part that lacked it,

Berean Standard Bible
whereas our presentable parts have no such need. But God has composed the body and has given greater honor to the parts that lacked it,

Berean Literal Bible
but our presentable parts have no need. But God has composed the body, having given more abundant honor to the parts being deficient,

King James Bible
For our comely parts have no need: but God hath tempered the body together, having given more abundant honour to that part which lacked:

New King James Version
but our presentable parts have no need. But God composed the body, having given greater honor to that part which lacks it,

New American Standard Bible
whereas our more presentable parts have no need of it. But God has so composed the body, giving more abundant honor to that part which lacked,

NASB 1995
whereas our more presentable members have no need of it. But God has so composed the body, giving more abundant honor to that member which lacked,

NASB 1977
whereas our seemly members have no need of it. But God has so composed the body, giving more abundant honor to that member which lacked,

Legacy Standard Bible
whereas our more presentable members have no such need. But God has so composed the body, giving more abundant honor to that member which lacked,

Amplified Bible
while our more presentable parts do not require it. But God has combined the [whole] body, giving greater honor to that part which lacks it,

Christian Standard Bible
which our respectable parts do not need. Instead, God has put the body together, giving greater honor to the less honorable,

Holman Christian Standard Bible
But our presentable parts have no need of clothing. Instead, God has put the body together, giving greater honor to the less honorable,

American Standard Version
whereas our comely parts have no need: but God tempered the body together, giving more abundant honor to that part which lacked;

Contemporary English Version
but we don't have to be modest about other parts. God put our bodies together in such a way that even the parts that seem the least important are valuable.

English Revised Version
whereas our comely parts have no need: but God tempered the body together, giving more abundant honour to that part which lacked;

GOD'S WORD® Translation
However, our presentable parts don't need this kind of treatment. God has put the body together and given special honor to the part that doesn't have it.

Good News Translation
which the more beautiful parts do not need. God himself has put the body together in such a way as to give greater honor to those parts that need it.

International Standard Version
However, our attractive parts don't need this. But God has put the body together and has given special honor to the parts that lack it,

Majority Standard Bible
whereas our presentable parts have no such need. But God has composed the body and has given greater honor to the parts that lacked it,

NET Bible
but our presentable members do not need this. Instead, God has blended together the body, giving greater honor to the lesser member,

New Heart English Bible
whereas our presentable parts have no such need. But God has put the body together, giving greater honor to the lesser member,

Webster's Bible Translation
For our comely parts have no need: but God hath tempered the body together, having given more abundant honor to that part which lacked:

Weymouth New Testament
But it was God who built up the body, and bestowed more abundant honor on the part that felt the need,

World English Bible
while our presentable parts have no such need. But God composed the body together, giving more abundant honor to the inferior part,
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
and our seemly things have no need; but God tempered the body together, having given more abundant honor to the lacking part,

Berean Literal Bible
but our presentable parts have no need. But God has composed the body, having given more abundant honor to the parts being deficient,

Young's Literal Translation
and our seemly things have no need; but God did temper the body together, to the lacking part having given more abundant honour,

Smith's Literal Translation
And our becoming parts have no need: but God blended the body together, to the wanting having given more abundant honour:
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
But our comely parts have no need: but God hath tempered the body together, giving to that which wanted the more abundant honour,

Catholic Public Domain Version
However, our presentable parts have no such need, since God has tempered the body together, distributing the more abundant honor to that which has the need,

New American Bible
whereas our more presentable parts do not need this. But God has so constructed the body as to give greater honor to a part that is without it,

New Revised Standard Version
whereas our more respectable members do not need this. But God has so arranged the body, giving the greater honor to the inferior member,
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
For our comely parts have no need for attention: But God has so tempered the body together, and has given greater honor to the member which is inferior:

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
But those members which we honor do not need honor, for God unites the body and he has given greater honor to the small members,
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
for our comely members have no need. But God has so arranged the body, giving more abundant honor to that part which is deficient,

Godbey New Testament
but our comely members have no need. But God has adjusted the body, having given the more abundant honor to that part which lacked;

Haweis New Testament
For our comely parts have no need: but God hath tempered together the body, giving more abundant honour to that part which lacked:

Mace New Testament
of which the graceful have no need: but God has contrived the symmetry of the body, by bestowing an additional advantage where it seem'd to want it.

Weymouth New Testament
But it was God who built up the body, and bestowed more abundant honor on the part that felt the need,

Worrell New Testament
but our comely parts have no need. But God attempered the body, giving the more abundant honor to that which lacked;

Worsley New Testament
But God hath so blended the several parts of the body, giving greater honor to that which was deficient,

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Body of Christ
23and the parts we consider less honorable, we treat with greater honor. And our unpresentable parts are treated with special modesty, 24whereas our presentable parts have no such need. But God has composed the body and has given greater honor to the parts that lacked it, 25so that there should be no division in the body, but that its members should have mutual concern for one another.…

Cross References
Romans 12:4-5
Just as each of us has one body with many members, and not all members have the same function, / so in Christ we who are many are one body, and each member belongs to one another.

Ephesians 4:16
From Him the whole body, fitted and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love through the work of each individual part.

Colossians 2:19
He has lost connection to the head, from whom the whole body, supported and knit together by its joints and ligaments, grows as God causes it to grow.

Ephesians 2:21-22
In Him the whole building is fitted together and grows into a holy temple in the Lord. / And in Him you too are being built together into a dwelling place for God in His Spirit.

Ephesians 4:12
to equip the saints for works of ministry and to build up the body of Christ,

1 Corinthians 3:9
For we are God’s fellow workers; you are God’s field, God’s building.

Ephesians 5:30
For we are members of His body.

Colossians 3:15
Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, for to this you were called as members of one body. And be thankful.

1 Peter 2:5
you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.

Romans 12:10
Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Outdo yourselves in honoring one another.

Ephesians 4:25
Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to his neighbor, for we are all members of one another.

1 Corinthians 6:15
Do you not know that your bodies are members of Christ? Shall I then take the members of Christ and unite them with a prostitute? Never!

1 Corinthians 10:17
Because there is one loaf, we who are many are one body; for we all partake of the one loaf.

1 Corinthians 14:12
It is the same with you. Since you are eager to have spiritual gifts, strive to excel in gifts that build up the church.

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 in mind and conviction.


Treasury of Scripture

For our comely parts have no need: but God has tempered the body together, having given more abundant honor to that part which lacked.

Genesis 2:25
And they were both naked, the man and his wife, and were not ashamed.

Genesis 3:11
And he said, Who told thee that thou wast naked? Hast thou eaten of the tree, whereof I commanded thee that thou shouldest not eat?

Jump to Previous
Abundant Beautiful Bestowed Body Built Care Combined Composed Felt Greater Honor Honour Inferior Joined Lacked Member Members Need Part Parts Presentable Require Seemly Special Temper Tempered Together Treatment Way Whereas
Jump to Next
Abundant Beautiful Bestowed Body Built Care Combined Composed Felt Greater Honor Honour Inferior Joined Lacked Member Members Need Part Parts Presentable Require Seemly Special Temper Tempered Together Treatment Way Whereas
1 Corinthians 12
1. Spiritual gifts,
4. are diverse,
7. yet to profit all.
8. And to that end are diversely bestowed;
12. as the members of a natural body tend all to the mutual decency,
22. service,
26. and helpfulness of the same body;
27. so we should do for one another, to make up the body of Christ.














whereas our presentable parts have no such need.
In the context of 1 Corinthians 12, Paul is discussing the unity and diversity of the body of Christ, the Church. The "presentable parts" refer to those aspects of the body that are naturally visible and do not require additional attention or covering. In the cultural context of Corinth, a city known for its diversity and complexity, the metaphor of the body would resonate with the audience, emphasizing that some members of the church are more visible or prominent, yet they do not require additional honor or attention. This reflects the biblical principle found in Romans 12:3-8, where Paul speaks about different gifts and roles within the church, encouraging humility and mutual respect among believers.

But God has composed the body
This phrase highlights the divine orchestration and intentionality behind the formation of the Church. The Greek word for "composed" suggests a careful and deliberate arrangement, akin to a master craftsman assembling a work of art. This reflects the creation narrative in Genesis, where God meticulously forms humanity. It also connects to Ephesians 4:16, where Paul describes the body as being "joined and held together by every supporting ligament," emphasizing God's sovereign design in the unity and function of the Church. Theologically, this underscores the belief that God is actively involved in the life of the Church, ensuring that each member has a specific role and purpose.

and has given greater honor to the parts that lacked it,
In the cultural context of the first-century Greco-Roman world, honor and shame were significant social values. Paul subverts these values by stating that God bestows greater honor on the less visible or seemingly less important parts of the body. This is a reflection of Jesus' teachings in the Gospels, such as in Matthew 20:16, where "the last will be first, and the first will be last." It also echoes the Old Testament principle found in 1 Samuel 16:7, where God looks at the heart rather than outward appearances. This phrase challenges the Corinthian church, and by extension all believers, to value and honor every member of the community, recognizing that God's perspective often differs from human social hierarchies.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Paul the Apostle
The author of 1 Corinthians, addressing the church in Corinth, providing guidance on spiritual gifts and unity within the body of Christ.

2. The Church in Corinth
A diverse and often divided early Christian community, struggling with issues of unity and the proper use of spiritual gifts.

3. The Body of Christ
A metaphor used by Paul to describe the church, emphasizing the interdependence and value of each member.
Teaching Points
Unity in Diversity
The church is a diverse body with many parts, each with a unique role. Every member is essential, and God has intentionally composed the body to function in harmony.

God's Sovereignty in Design
God has given greater honor to the parts that lacked it, demonstrating His sovereignty and wisdom in the design of the church. This challenges us to value and honor every member, regardless of their perceived status or role.

Overcoming Division
By recognizing the honor God bestows on all parts of the body, we can overcome divisions and foster a spirit of unity and mutual respect within the church.

Valuing the Unseen
Often, the most critical roles in the church are not the most visible. We are called to appreciate and support those who serve in less visible capacities, understanding their vital contribution to the health of the body.(24) For our comely parts have no need.--These words (better, and our comely parts have no need) conclude the former verse. The words, "But God hath tempered," commence a new sentence, in which the natural practice of covering parts of the body is stated to be in harmony with God's evident intention.



Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
whereas
δὲ (de)
Conjunction
Strong's 1161: A primary particle; but, and, etc.

our
ἡμῶν (hēmōn)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive 1st Person Plural
Strong's 1473: I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I.

presentable [parts]
εὐσχήμονα (euschēmona)
Adjective - Nominative Neuter Plural
Strong's 2158: From eu and schema; well-formed, i.e. decorous, noble.

have
ἔχει (echei)
Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 2192: To have, hold, possess. Including an alternate form scheo skheh'-o; a primary verb; to hold.

no [such]
οὐ (ou)
Adverb
Strong's 3756: No, not. Also ouk, and ouch a primary word; the absolute negative adverb; no or not.

need.
χρείαν (chreian)
Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 5532: From the base of chraomai or chre; employment, i.e. An affair; also occasion, demand, requirement or destitution.

But
Ἀλλὰ (Alla)
Conjunction
Strong's 235: But, except, however. Neuter plural of allos; properly, other things, i.e. contrariwise.

God
θεὸς (theos)
Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 2316: A deity, especially the supreme Divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very.

has composed
συνεκέρασεν (synekerasen)
Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 4786: To mix with, unite. From sun and kerannumi; to commingle, i.e. to combine or assimilate.

the
τὸ (to)
Article - Accusative Neuter Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

body
σῶμα (sōma)
Noun - Accusative Neuter Singular
Strong's 4983: Body, flesh; the body of the Church. From sozo; the body, used in a very wide application, literally or figuratively.

[and] has given
δοὺς (dous)
Verb - Aorist Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 1325: To offer, give; I put, place. A prolonged form of a primary verb; to give.

greater
περισσοτέραν (perissoteran)
Adjective - Accusative Feminine Singular - Comparative
Strong's 4053: From peri; superabundant or superior; by implication, excessive; adverbially violently; neuter preeminence.

honor
τιμήν (timēn)
Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 5092: A price, honor. From tino; a value, i.e. Money paid, or valuables; by analogy, esteem, or the dignity itself.

to the [parts]
τῷ (tō)
Article - Dative Neuter Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

that lacked it,
ὑστερουμένῳ (hysteroumenō)
Verb - Present Participle Middle or Passive - Dative Neuter Singular
Strong's 5302: From husteros; to be later, i.e. to be inferior; generally, to fall short.


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NT Letters: 1 Corinthians 12:24 Whereas our presentable parts have no such (1 Cor. 1C iC 1Cor i cor icor)
1 Corinthians 12:23
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