12:5a–b

so: Here this word introduces the comparison. See also the note on “Just as” in 12:4a.

in Christ we who are many are one body, and each member belongs to one another: Here the words body and member are metaphors. All believers are one group, the church of Christ. We have a united purpose and goal. We belong to the group and we also belong to each other in the group.

In some languages to say we…are one body will have the wrong meaning. If that is true in your language, you may want to:

• Add the word “like.” For example:

we, though many, are ⌊like⌋ one body in Christ, and individually ⌊like⌋ members one of another

• Explain the metaphor in your translation. For example:

we, though many, are one ⌊group⌋ in Christ, and individually ⌊belong to⌋ one another ⌊like⌋ a body and its members/parts

• Translate literally and explain the metaphor in a footnote. Here is an example footnote:

This talk of a body and its members/parts indicates that believers all belong to one group and individually belong to one another.

12:5b

each member belongs to one another: The Greek is more literally “each one members of one another.” It indicates that each believer belongs to the body and to each other.

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