uW Translation Notes:

Note 1 topic: figures-of-speech / genericnoun

τὸ σῶμα

the body

Connecting Statement:

Here Paul is speaking of “bodies” in general, not of one particular body. If it would be helpful in your language, you could express this form with a form that refers to “bodies” in general. Alternate translation: “a human body, for example,”

Note 2 topic: figures-of-speech / idiom

ἕν ἐστιν

one is

Connecting Statement:

Here, one refers to how the body is a single entity. In other words, we can count one body as one thing, even though it is made up of many parts. If it would be helpful in your language, you could express one with a word or phrase that emphasizes the unity of the body. Alternate translation: “is united” or “is a unity”

Note 3 topic: grammar-connect-logic-contrast

πολλὰ ὄντα

many many being

Connecting Statement:

Here, being many contrasts with the words that follow: are one body. If it would be helpful in your language, you could introduce being many with a word or phrase that explicitly indicates a contrast. Alternate translation: “although they are many” or “despite being many”

Note 4 topic: figures-of-speech / extrainfo

καθάπερ & οὕτως καὶ ὁ Χριστός

just_as & thus also_‹is› the Messiah

Connecting Statement:

Here Paul does not explain how Christ is like the body he describes in this verse. Instead, he slowly explains how Christ is like the body throughout the following verses. In 12:27, he fully explains what he means: “you are the body of Christ and individually members of it.” Because Paul goes on to explain what so also is Christ means in the next verses, you should express this phrase by emphasizing the comparison between the body and Christ but without giving any more detail. Alternate translation: “just as … Christ too is like this”