1 Corinthians 12

Diversity of Gifts 1 Corinthians 12:4–11

⁴Verse 4. Now there are various kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit. ⁵Verse 5. There are various kinds of service, and the same Lord. ⁶Verse 6. There are various kinds of workings, but the same God, who works all things in all. ⁷Verse 7. But to each one is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the profit of all. ⁸Verse 8. For to one is given through the Spirit the word of wisdom, and to another the word of knowledge, according to the same Spirit; ⁹Verse 9. to another faith, by the same Spirit; and to another gifts of healings, by the same Spirit;

¹⁰Verse 10. and to another workings of miracles; and to another prophecy; and to another discerning of spirits; to another different kinds of languages; and to another the interpretation of languages. ¹¹Verse 11. But the one and the same Spirit produces all of these, distributing to each one separately as he desires.

The Body Analogy 1 Corinthians 12:12–14

¹²Verse 12. For as the body is one, and has many members, and all the members of the body, being many, are one body; so also is Christ. ¹³Verse 13. For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, whether bond or free; and were all given to drink into one Spirit. ¹⁴Verse 14. For the body is not one member, but many.

Individual Roles in the Body 1 Corinthians 12:15–20

¹⁵Verse 15. If the foot would say, “Because I’m not the hand, I’m not part of the body,” it is not therefore not part of the body. ¹⁶Verse 16. If the ear would say, “Because I’m not the eye, I’m not part of the body,” it’s not therefore not part of the body. ¹⁷Verse 17. If the whole body were an eye, where would the hearing be? If the whole were hearing, where would the smelling be? ¹⁸Verse 18. But now God has set the members, each one of them, in the body, just as he desired. ¹⁹Verse 19. If they were all one member, where would the body be?

²⁰Verse 20. But now they are many members, but one body.

Mutual Care Among Members 1 Corinthians 12:21–26

²¹Verse 21. The eye can’t tell the hand, “I have no need for you,” or again the head to the feet, “I have no need for you.” ²²Verse 22. No, much rather, those members of the body which seem to be weaker are necessary. ²³Verse 23. Those parts of the body which we think to be less honorable, on those we bestow more abundant honor; and our unpresentable parts have more abundant propriety; ²⁴Verse 24. whereas our presentable parts have no such need. But God composed the body together, giving more abundant honor to the inferior part, ²⁵Verse 25. that there should be no division in the body, but that the members should have the same care for one another.

²⁶Verse 26. When one member suffers, all the members suffer with it. Or when one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it.

Diversity in Service and Desire for Gifts 1 Corinthians 12:27–31

²⁷Verse 27. Now you are the body of Christ, and members individually. ²⁸Verse 28. God has set some in the assembly: first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracle workers, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, and various kinds of languages. ²⁹Verse 29. Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Are all miracle workers? ³⁰Verse 30. Do all have gifts of healings? Do all speak with various languages? Do all interpret? ³¹Verse 31. But earnestly desire the best gifts. Moreover, I show a most excellent way to you.