1 Corinthians 10:17 (KJV)

Passage

For we being many are one bread, and one body: for we are all partakers of that one bread.

Nearby Context

1 Corinthians 10:15 I speak as to wise men; judge ye what I say.

1 Corinthians 10:16 The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ?

1 Corinthians 10:17 For we being many are one bread, and one body: for we are all partakers of that one bread.

1 Corinthians 10:18 Behold Israel after the flesh: are not they which eat of the sacrifices partakers of the altar?

1 Corinthians 10:19 What say I then? that the idol is any thing, or that which is offered in sacrifice to idols is any thing?

Study Lenses

The verse centers on "bread", "body", and "partakers". It is saying that the verse draws attention to "bread" and "body", so its meaning should be read from those terms before moving to application.

The nearby context moves from verse 16's "The cup of blessing which we bless..." into verse 18's "Behold Israel after the flesh are not...", so "bread" and "body" belong inside that flow. In 1 Corinthians context, the local focus is Christ, faith, and discipleship.

A plain takeaway is to answer the verse's own emphasis on "bread" and "body" with trust shaped by these words, not by a vague optimism outside the passage.