Chapter
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Verse

1 Corinthians 12:27

ESV Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it.
NIV Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it.
NASB Now you are Christ’s body, and individually parts of it.
CSB Now you are the body of Christ, and individual members of it.
NLT All of you together are Christ’s body, and each of you is a part of it.
KJV Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular.
NKJV Now you are the body of Christ, and members individually.

What does 1 Corinthians 12:27 mean?

Now Paul makes his illustration—human body as the body of Christ—very personal for the church in Corinth. He speaks to them directly and with purpose. They are both the body of Christ together as a group, and they are individual members of the body of Christ.

In prior verses, Paul has noted that the diverse members of the body must work together, according to their designed roles, in order for the body to function. This is not only good for the body, it's good for each individual member.

Everything Paul has written in the chapter applies to the Corinthian believers and their experience of spiritual gifts. This means if they are willing to set aside their discontent about the role God has given to them in the church, and their arrogance about not needing other members of the body of Christ, they have the opportunity to thrive together to become what God intends for the church to be.

The same application is meant to be taken on by all believers, in all churches, even today.
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