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1 Corinthians 12

World English Bible

WEB

1Now concerning spiritual things, brothers, I don’t want you to be ignorant. 2You know that when you were heathen, you were led away to those mute idols, however you might be led. 3Therefore I make known to you that no man speaking by God’s Spirit says, “Jesus is accursed.” No one can say, “Jesus is Lord,” but by the Holy Spirit. 4Now there are various kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit. 5There are various kinds of service, and the same Lord. 6There are various kinds of workings, but the same God who works all things in all. 7But to each one is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the profit of all. 8For to one is given through the Spirit the word of wisdom, and to another the word of knowledge according to the same Spirit, 9to another faith by the same Spirit, and to another gifts of healings by the same Spirit, 10and 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. 11But the one and the same Spirit produces all of these, distributing to each one separately as he desires. 12For 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. 13For 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. 14For the body is not one member, but many. 15If 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. 16If 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. 17If the whole body were an eye, where would the hearing be? If the whole were hearing, where would the smelling be? 18But now God has set the members, each one of them, in the body, just as he desired. 19If they were all one member, where would the body be? 20But now they are many members, but one body. 21The 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.” 22No, much rather, those members of the body which seem to be weaker are necessary. 23Those 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 modesty, 24while our presentable parts have no such need. But God composed the body together, giving more abundant honor to the inferior part, 25that there should be no division in the body, but that the members should have the same care for one another. 26When one member suffers, all the members suffer with it. When one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it. 27Now you are the body of Christ, and members individually. 28God 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. 29Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Are all miracle workers? 30Do all have gifts of healings? Do all speak with various languages? Do all interpret? 31But earnestly desire the best gifts. Moreover, I show a most excellent way to you.

World English Bible, 2020 stable text edition. Public domain; “World English Bible” is a trademark of eBible.org. eBible.org

Overview

1 Corinthians Chapter 12 addresses the topic of spiritual gifts within the body of Christ, emphasizing the diversity and unity of these gifts among believers. The Apostle Paul begins by reminding the Corinthian church that they were once led astray by idols, but now they are empowered by the Holy Spirit. He highlights that there are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them, illustrating the importance of recognizing that all gifts come from God. This chapter introduces the concept of the body of Christ, where each member has a unique role and function, yet all are essential for the health and growth of the church (#spiritualgifts, #HolySpirit, #bodyofChrist).

Paul elaborates on various spiritual gifts, including wisdom, knowledge, faith, healing, miracles, prophecy, discernment, tongues, and interpretation of tongues. He emphasizes that these gifts are given for the common good, serving to build up the church and glorify God. The chapter culminates in the powerful metaphor of the body, where just as a human body has many parts that work together, so does the church. Each believer, regardless of their gift, is vital to the overall function and mission of the church. Paul encourages the Corinthians to appreciate their differences and to work together in love, as all gifts are meant to reflect the unity and diversity of the body of Christ (#unity, #diversity, #church).

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Referenced by

  1. Exodus 28:3v4Exodus 28:3 speaks of the spirit of wisdom given to craftsmen for making priestly garments, paralleling 1 Corinthians 12:4-11, which discusses the distribution of spiritual gifts by the Holy Spirit for various purposes within the body of Christ.
  2. Exodus 35:30-31v4Exodus 35:30-31 highlights Bezalel, filled with the Spirit of God for craftsmanship, paralleling the spiritual gifts given by the Holy Spirit in 1 Corinthians 12:4-11 for the edification of the church.
  3. Nehemiah 3:8v12Nehemiah 3:8 describes various craftsmen working together on the wall, reflecting the New Testament teaching in 1 Corinthians 12:12-27 about the body of Christ, where different members have different roles but work together for a common purpose.
  4. Acts 19:6v10Acts 19:6 describes how the Holy Spirit came upon the believers, and they spoke in tongues and prophesied, which aligns with 1 Corinthians 12:10 where Paul lists speaking in tongues and prophecy as spiritual gifts given by the Holy Spirit.
  5. Romans 12:4-5v12Romans 12:4-5 discusses the body of Christ and its many members, which is further elaborated in 1 Corinthians 12:12-27 where Paul explains the unity and diversity of the body of Christ.
  6. 1 Corinthians 14:1v311 Corinthians 14:1 encourages believers to pursue love and desire spiritual gifts, especially prophecy. This follows the exhortation in 1 Corinthians 12:31 to earnestly desire the greater gifts, setting the stage for the discussion on love in chapter 13.
  7. Ephesians 4:7v7Ephesians 4:7 speaks of grace given to each believer according to Christ's gift, paralleling 1 Corinthians 12:7, which discusses the manifestation of the Spirit given for the common good.
  8. Ephesians 4:11v28Ephesians 4:11 lists various roles within the church, such as apostles and prophets, similar to 1 Corinthians 12:28, which also enumerates different roles and gifts in the church.

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