1 Corinthians 12


1NOW ABOUT the spiritual gifts (the special endowments of supernatural energy), brethren,

I do not want you to be misinformed.

2You know that when you were heathen, you were led off after idols that could

not speak [habitually] as impulse directed and whenever the occasion might arise.

3Therefore I want you to understand that no one speaking under the power and

influence of the [Holy] Spirit of God can [ever] say, Jesus be cursed! And no one can

[really] say, Jesus is [my] Lord, except by and under the power and influence of the Holy Spirit.

4Now there are distinctive varieties and distributions of endowments (gifts, [a]extraordinary

powers distinguishing certain Christians, due to the power of divine grace operating in their

souls by the Holy Spirit) and they vary, but the [Holy] Spirit remains the same.

5And there are distinctive varieties of service and ministration, but it is the

same Lord [Who is served].

6And there are distinctive varieties of operation [of working to accomplish things],

but it is the same God Who inspires and energizes them all in all.

7But to each one is given the manifestation of the [Holy] Spirit [the evidence,

the spiritual illumination of the Spirit] for good and profit.

8To one is given in and through the [Holy] Spirit [the power to speak] a message of wisdom,

and to another [the power to express] a word of knowledge and understanding according to the same [Holy] Spirit;

9To another [[b]wonder-working] faith by the same [Holy] Spirit, to another the extraordinary

powers of healing by the one Spirit;

10To another the working of miracles, to another prophetic insight ([c]the gift

of interpreting the divine will and purpose); to another the ability to discern and distinguish

between [the utterances of true] spirits [and false ones], to another various kinds of

[unknown] tongues, to another the ability to interpret [such] tongues.

11All these [gifts, achievements, abilities] are inspired and brought to pass by

one and the same [Holy] Spirit, Who apportions to each person individually

[exactly] as He chooses.

12For just as the body is a unity and yet has many parts, and all the parts, though many,

form [only] one body, so it is with Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed One).

13For by [[d]means of the personal agency of] one [Holy] Spirit we were all, whether

Jews or Greeks, slaves or free, baptized [and [e]by baptism united together] into one body,

and all made to drink of one [Holy] Spirit.

14For the body does not consist of one limb or organ but of many.

15If the foot should say, Because I am not the hand, I do not belong to the body, would

it be therefore not [a part] of the body?

16If the ear should say, Because I am not the eye, I do not belong to the body, would it

be therefore not [a part] of the body?

17If the whole body were an eye, where [would be the sense of] hearing? If the whole body

were an ear, where [would be the sense of] smell?

18But as it is, God has placed and arranged the limbs and organs in the body, each [particular one]

of them, just as He wished and saw fit and with the best adaptation.

19But if [the whole] were all a single organ, where would the body be?

20And now there are [certainly] many limbs and organs, but a single body.

21And the eye is not able to say to the hand, I have no need of you, nor again the

head to the feet, I have no need of you.

22But instead, there is [absolute] necessity for the parts of the body that are

considered the more weak.

23And those [parts] of the body which we consider rather ignoble are [the very parts] which

we invest with additional honor, and our unseemly parts and those unsuitable for exposure are

treated with seemliness (modesty and decorum),

24Which our more presentable parts do not require. But God has so adjusted (mingled, harmonized,

and subtly proportioned the parts of) the whole body, giving the greater honor and richer endowment

to the inferior parts which lack [apparent importance],

25So that there should be no division or discord or lack of adaptation [of the parts of the body to

each other], but the members all alike should have a mutual interest in and care for one another.

26And if one member suffers, all the parts [share] the suffering; if one member is honored, all

the members [share in] the enjoyment of it.

27Now you [collectively] are Christ's body and [individually] you are members of it, each part

severally and distinct [each with his own place and function].

28So God has appointed some in the church [[f]for His own use]: first apostles

(special messengers); second prophets (inspired preachers and expounders); third teachers;

then wonder-workers; then those with ability to heal the sick; helpers; administrators;

[speakers in] different (unknown) tongues.

29Are all apostles (special messengers)? Are all prophets (inspired interpreters of

the will and purposes of God)? Are all teachers? Do all have the power of performing miracles?

30Do all possess extraordinary powers of healing? Do all speak with tongues? Do all interpret?

31But earnestly desire and zealously cultivate the greatest and best gifts and graces (the higher

gifts and the choicest graces). And yet I will show you a still more excellent way [one that is better

by far and the highest of them all--love].