1 Corinthians 12:26
And whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it; or one member be honoured, all the members rejoice with it.
Original Language Analysis
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
1 of 17
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
πάσχει
suffer
G3958
πάσχει
suffer
Strong's:
G3958
Word #:
3 of 17
to experience a sensation or impression (usually painful)
συμπάσχει
suffer with it
G4841
συμπάσχει
suffer with it
Strong's:
G4841
Word #:
6 of 17
to experience pain jointly or of the same kind (specially, persecution; to "sympathize")
τὰ
G3588
τὰ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
8 of 17
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
δοξάζεται
be honoured
G1392
δοξάζεται
be honoured
Strong's:
G1392
Word #:
11 of 17
to render (or esteem) glorious (in a wide application)
Cross References
Romans 12:15Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep.Hebrews 13:3Remember them that are in bonds, as bound with them; and them which suffer adversity, as being yourselves also in the body.Galatians 6:2Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.1 Peter 3:8Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous:
Historical Context
Corinthian competition led believers to rejoice in others' failures and envy others' successes. Paul insists body-unity means mutual sympathy in suffering and shared celebration in honor, reversing their adversarial culture.
Questions for Reflection
- When have you genuinely 'suffered with' or 'rejoiced with' another believer, feeling their experience as your own?
- How can churches cultivate this organic sympathy rather than competitive comparison?
- What practices help believers move from individual spirituality to shared body-life?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
And whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it—Paschei hen melos, sympaschei panta ta melē (πάσχει ἓν μέλος, συμπάσχει πάντα τὰ μέλη)—the prefix sym ("with, together") creates sympaschō, "suffer together, co-suffer." When the toe is stubbed, the entire body feels pain; when the stomach aches, the whole person is miserable. This is not mere sympathy but shared experience—organically unified members genuinely participate in each other's pain.
Or one member be honoured, all the members rejoice with it—doxazetai hen melos, synchairei panta ta melē ("one member is honored, all the members rejoice together"). The prefix syn creates synchairō, "rejoice together, co-rejoice." When the eye sees beauty or the hand accomplishes a task, the whole body shares satisfaction. Application: Christians cannot say "your suffering doesn't affect me" or "your honor makes me jealous." Authentic body-life means shared suffering and shared joy—weeping with those who weep, rejoicing with those who rejoice (Romans 12:15). This eliminates competition and cultivates compassion.