Romans 12:4

4 for as in one body we have many members, and all the members have not the same office,

Romans 12:4 Meaning and Commentary

Romans 12:4

For as we have many members in one body
The apostle illustrates what he said last concerning God's dealing to every man the measure of faith, by comparing the church of Christ to an human body, which is but one, and has many members in union with it, and one another; and which are placed in an exact symmetry and proportion, and in proper subserviency to each other, and for the good of the whole:

and all members have not the same office,
or "action"; they do not exercise the same function, and perform the same operation, but each that which is peculiar to itself: the eye only sees, but does not hear, nor taste, nor smell; the ear only hears, but neither sees, or does any of the aforesaid things; the palate tastes, the nose smells, the hand handles, the foot walks, and the same may be observed of the other members of the body, which have not the same, but their particular offices, and all and each of them their usefulness.

Romans 12:4 In-Context

2 and be not conformed to this age, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, for your proving what [is] the will of God -- the good, and acceptable, and perfect.

3 For I say, through the grace that was given to me, to every one who is among you, not to think above what it behoveth to think; but to think so as to think wisely, as to each God did deal a measure of faith,

4 for as in one body we have many members, and all the members have not the same office,

5 so we, the many, one body are in Christ, and members each one of one another.

6 And having gifts, different according to the grace that was given to us; whether prophecy -- `According to the proportion of faith!'