1 Corinthians 12:20
But now are they many members, yet but one body.
Original Language Analysis
νῦν
now
G3568
νῦν
now
Strong's:
G3568
Word #:
1 of 8
"now" (as adverb of date, a transition or emphasis); also as noun or adjective present or immediate
πολλὰ
are they many
G4183
πολλὰ
are they many
Strong's:
G4183
Word #:
3 of 8
(singular) much (in any respect) or (plural) many; neuter (singular) as adverbial, largely; neuter (plural) as adverb or noun often, mostly, largely
Historical Context
Greek philosophy struggled with the one-and-many problem: how can ultimate reality be both one and multiple? Paul's gospel provides the answer: unity comes not from uniformity but from shared participation in Christ through the Spirit, creating organic unity amid personal diversity.
Questions for Reflection
- How does the paradox 'many members, one body' reflect Trinitarian theology (three persons, one God)?
- What practices help your church maintain unity amid diversity of gifts, backgrounds, and preferences?
- Where do you see contemporary Christianity wrongly choosing uniformity over genuine unity?
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Analysis & Commentary
But now are they many members, yet but one body—Nyn de polla men melē, hen de sōma (νῦν δὲ πολλὰ μὲν μέλη, ἓν δὲ σῶμα)—the balanced Greek construction emphasizes the paradox: many members (πολλά, polla), one body (ἕν, hen). The men...de construction creates antithesis: plurality and unity coexist without contradiction. This is mystery—mathematically absurd (many = one?) yet spiritually true.
But now (nyn de) signals transition from hypothetical ("if they were all one member") to reality. God's actual design features multiplicity-in-unity. This reflects Trinitarian theology: three persons, one God. Diversity within unity, unity expressed through diversity. The body-metaphor isn't Paul's invention but revelation of spiritual reality: believers are actually, ontologically, organically united to Christ and each other through Spirit-baptism (v.13). We are not merely like a body; we are Christ's body.