KJV: Nay, much more those members of the body, which seem to be more feeble, are necessary:
YLT: But much more the members of the body which seem to be more infirm are necessary,
Darby: But much rather, the members of the body which seem to be weaker are necessary;
ASV: Nay, much rather, those members of the body which seem to be more feeble are necessary:
πολλῷ | much |
Parse: Adjective, Dative Neuter Singular Root: πολύς Sense: many, much, large. |
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μᾶλλον | rather |
Parse: Adverb Root: μᾶλλον Sense: more, to a greater degree, rather. |
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τὰ | those |
Parse: Article, Nominative Neuter Plural Root: ὁ Sense: this, that, these, etc. |
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δοκοῦντα | seeming |
Parse: Verb, Present Participle Active, Nominative Neuter Plural Root: δοκέω Sense: to be of opinion, think, suppose. |
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μέλη | members |
Parse: Noun, Nominative Neuter Plural Root: μέλος Sense: a member, limb: a member of the human body. |
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τοῦ | of the |
Parse: Article, Genitive Neuter Singular Root: ὁ Sense: this, that, these, etc. |
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σώματος | body |
Parse: Noun, Genitive Neuter Singular Root: σῶμα Sense: the body both of men or animals. |
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ἀσθενέστερα | weaker |
Parse: Adjective, Nominative Neuter Plural, Comparative Root: ἀσθενής Sense: weak, infirm, feeble. |
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ὑπάρχειν | to be |
Parse: Verb, Present Infinitive Active Root: ὑπάρχω Sense: to begin below, to make a beginning. |
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ἀναγκαῖά | indispensable |
Parse: Adjective, Nominative Neuter Plural Root: ἀναγκαῖος Sense: necessary. |
Greek Commentary for 1 Corinthians 12:22
Adversative sense of αλλα alla on the contrary. So far from the more dignified members like the eye and the head being independent of the subordinate ones like the hands and feet, they are “much more” (argumentum a fortiori, “by much more” πολλωι μαλλον pollōi mallon instrumental case) in need of therm. [source]
Things are not always what they seem. The vital organs (heart, lungs, liver, kidneys) are not visible, but life cannot exist without them. [source]
The allusion is probably to those which seem to be weaker in their original structure, naturally. This may be indicated by the use of ὑπάρχειν tobe (see on James 2:15); compare εἶναι tobe, in 1 Corinthians 12:23. Others explain of those which on occasion seem to be weaker, as when a member is diseased. [source]
Reverse Greek Commentary Search for 1 Corinthians 12:22
Only instance in the N.T. of this sense of anagkaios from anagkē necessity, what one cannot do without, necessary (1 Corinthians 12:22), duty (Acts 13:46), or blood relations as here. The ancient Greek writers combined these two words (suggeneis kinsmen, anagkaious necessary friends) as here. It was a homogeneous group of Gentiles close to Cornelius and predisposed to hear Peter favourably. [source]
Sometimes rendered seems, 1 Corinthians 12:22; 2 Corinthians 10:9; Galatians 2:9; but think is Paul's usual meaning. Comp. Matthew 3:9; 1 Corinthians 11:16; Philemon 3:4. [source]