The course of Paul’s argument in verses 21-24 is less clear than it has been so far in this section. He weaves together two main ideas: (1) the different parts of the body are interdependent and should therefore not despise one another; (2) those parts of the body that might be considered inferior receive special treatment. Idea (1) is mainly expressed in verse 21.

Idea (2) occupies verses 22, 23, and most of verse 24, excluding God has so composed the body, which prepares for the conclusion in verse 25a. This idea is both a development of idea (1) and also a preparation for the theme of mutual caring that is expressed in verse 25b and more fully in chapter 13.

In verse 21 the head is mentioned as one part of the body among others. A literal term for this body part, therefore, should be chosen here rather than some figurative expression meaning “chief” or “ruler.”

It is not certain which are the parts of the body which seem to be weaker. In any case the translator needs to use a general term for weaker that will be the opposite of physically “stronger.”

Seem may be translated “are thought of,” similarly to verse 23 where the same Greek word is rendered we think.

In verse 23 less honorable implies “worth less than other parts.” The Greek term means both “value” or “worth,” and also “honor.” It is perhaps “honor” that is in focus here. One can translate this phrase, then, as “those parts of the body that we consider to have little honor.” However, in many languages a rendering similar to that of Good News Bible will be adequate. In verse 23b the reference to unpresentable parts appears to be to the covering of sexual organs (see Gen 3.7, 10, 21). Good News Bible‘s rendering, “don’t look very nice,” does not reproduce the meaning of the Greek, which is concerned, not with beauty, but with decency. One could render this as “unpresentable” (New International Version), “less presentable” (New Jerusalem Bible), “should not be shown in public,” or even “less respectable” (Revised English Bible). Die Bibel im heutigen Deutsch translates “the parts which are considered unpresentable we clothe with particular care, and we do the same with those parts that cause offense.” Parola Del Signore: La Bibbia in Lingua Corrente combines both halves of the verse: “and the parts that we consider less noble and decent, we surround with greater care.”

Verse 24b marks the beginning of a greater transition, back from the theme of diversity (verses 12-21) to that of unity (verses 4-11), and indeed further back to the theme of divisions within the church at Corinth, mentioned in similar language in 1.10 and 11.18. The successive waves of Paul’s argument may be summed up as follows: (1) not disunity, but (2) unity; yet unity (3) not of uniformity, but (4) of mutual concern and love.

Inferior part (Good News Bible‘s “parts that need it”) may be expanded to “the parts that are lacking in honor” or “the parts that we feel do not have much value.”

Quoted with permission from Ellingworth, Paul and Hatton, Howard A. A Handbook on Paul’s First Letter to the Corinthians, 2nd edition. (UBS Handbook Series). New York: UBS, 1985/1994. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .