Particular, Particularly
Overview
When modern readers encounter the words "particular" and "particularly" in older Bible translations, they naturally assume the familiar meaning of "specific" or "especially." However, in the English of the King James era, these words carried a different primary sense: "individually," "one by one," or "severally." Recognizing this shift in English usage helps unlock the meaning of several important New Testament passages.
The Body of Christ "In Particular"
The most theologically significant use appears in Paul's teaching on the church as the body of Christ. In 1 Corinthians 12:27, the King James Version reads: "Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular." The Greek phrase ek merous means "each in his part" or "individually." Paul is not saying the Corinthians are a special or particular body; he is saying that each individual believer is a distinct member of that one body. Modern translations render this as "individually members of it" (ESV) or "each one of you is a part of it" (NIV), capturing the original meaning more clearly for contemporary readers.
Marriage Duties "In Particular"
A similar usage appears in Ephesians 5:33, where the KJV states: "Nevertheless let every one of you in particular so love his wife even as himself." The Greek phrase hoi kath' hena means "each one" or "severally." Paul is not highlighting marriage as a particular topic; he is commanding each individual husband to love his own wife. The emphasis is on personal, individual application of the marriage principle.
Paul's Detailed Ministry Report
In Acts 21:19, Luke records that Paul "declared particularly what things God had wrought among the Gentiles by his ministry" (KJV). The Greek kath' hen hekaston means "one by one" or "in detail." Paul was not reporting on a particular aspect of his work but giving a thorough, item-by-item account of everything God had accomplished through him. Modern translations render this as "one by one" or "in detail."
The Tabernacle Furnishings
Hebrews 9:5 uses the same concept when the author declines to describe the tabernacle furnishings exhaustively: "Of which we cannot now speak particularly" (KJV). The Greek kata meros means "in detail" or "item by item." The writer is not referring to one particular item but acknowledging that a detailed, piece-by-piece description is beyond the scope of the current argument.
Why This Matters for Bible Readers
Understanding these archaic word meanings is more than an academic exercise. In 1 Corinthians 12:27, the shift from "in particular" to "individually" significantly affects how readers understand Paul's ecclesiology. The emphasis falls on each believer's unique role and responsibility within the body, not on the church being a specific or notable body. Paul's point is profoundly personal: you, individually, are a vital member of Christ's body, with a distinct function that no one else can fulfill.
This pattern of English language change reminds readers that translation is an ongoing task. Words shift meaning over centuries, and what was perfectly clear to a 17th-century English reader may mislead a 21st-century one. Comparing multiple translations helps ensure that the original Greek and Hebrew meaning comes through clearly.
Biblical Context
The terms appear in the KJV rendering of 1 Corinthians 12:27 (individual membership in Christ's body), Ephesians 5:33 (individual marital duty), Acts 21:19 (Paul's detailed ministry report to Jerusalem leaders), and Hebrews 9:5 (detailed description of tabernacle furnishings). Each instance uses 'particular' in the obsolete sense of 'individually' or 'in detail.'
Theological Significance
The most important theological implication involves 1 Corinthians 12:27, where Paul emphasizes that each believer is individually a member of Christ's body. This teaching affirms the unique value and function of every Christian within the church. It guards against both individualism (ignoring the body) and collectivism (ignoring the individual), holding both in creative tension.
Historical Background
The English word 'particular' comes from the Latin particularis, meaning 'relating to a part.' In 16th and 17th century English, its primary meaning was 'individual' or 'pertaining to a single person or thing,' which is how the KJV translators used it. By the 18th and 19th centuries, the dominant meaning shifted to 'specific' or 'noteworthy,' making the KJV usage sound odd to modern ears. This is a well-documented example of semantic drift in English.