1 Corinthians 12

1 Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I would not have you ignorant.

In the next place, friends, I do not want you to be ignorant about spiritual gifts.

2 All of you know that all of you were Gentiles, carried away unto these dumb idols, even as all of you were led.

You know that there was a time when you were Gentiles, going astray after idols that could not speak, just as you happened to be led.

3 Wherefore I give you to understand, that no man speaking by the Spirit (pneuma) of God calls Jesus accursed: and that no man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Spirit. (pneuma)

Therefore I tell you plainly that no one who speaks under the influence of the Spirit of God says ‘JESUS IS ACCURSED,’ and that no one can say ‘JESUS IS LORD,’ except under the influence of the Holy Spirit.

4 Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. (pneuma)

Gifts differ, but the Spirit is the same;

5 And there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord.

ways of serving differ, yet the Master is the same;

6 And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which works all in all.

results differ, yet the God who brings about every result is in every case the same.

7 But the manifestation of the Spirit (pneuma) is given to every man to profit likewise.

To each of us there is given spiritual illumination for the general good.

8 In order to one is given by the Spirit (pneuma) the word (logos) of wisdom; to another the word (logos) of knowledge by the same Spirit; (pneuma)

To one is given the power to speak with wisdom through the Spirit; to another the power to speak with knowledge, due to the same Spirit;

9 To another faith by the same Spirit; (pneuma) to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit; (pneuma)

to another faith by the same Spirit; to another power to cure diseases by the one Spirit; to another supernatural powers;

10 To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; (pneuma) to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues:

to another the gift of preaching; to another the gift of distinguishing between true and false inspiration; to another varieties of the gift of ‘tongues’; to another the power to interpret ‘tongues.’

11 But all these works that one and the very same Spirit, (pneuma) dividing to every man severally as he will.

All these result from one and the same Spirit, who distributes his gifts to each individually as he wills.

12 For as the body is one, and has many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ.

For just as the human body is one whole, and yet has many parts, and all its parts, many though they are, form but one body, so it is with the Christ;

13 For by one Spirit (pneuma) are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit. (pneuma)

for it was by one Spirit that we were all baptized to form one body, whether Jews or Greeks, slaves or free, and were all imbued with one Spirit.

14 For the body is not one member, but many.

The human body, I repeat, consists not of one part, but of many.

15 If the foot shall say, Because I am not the hand, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body?

If the foot says ‘Since I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body,’ it does not because of that cease to belong to the body.

16 And if the ear shall say, Because I am not the eye, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body?

Or if the ear says ‘Since I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body,’ it does not because of that cease to belong to the body.

17 If the whole body were an eye, where were the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where were the smelling?

If all the body were an eye, where would the hearing be? If it were all hearing, where would the sense of smell be?

18 But now has God set the members every one of them in the body, as it has pleased him.

But in fact God has placed each individual part just where he thought fit in the body.

19 And if they were all one member, where were the body?

If, however, they all made up only one part, where would the body be?

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

But in fact, although it has many parts, there is only one body.

21 And the eye cannot say unto the hand, I have no need of you: nor again the head to the feet, I have no need of you.

The eye cannot say to the hand ‘I do not need you,’ nor, again, the head to the feet ‘I do not need you.’

22 Nay, much more those members of the body, which seem to be more feeble, are necessary:

No! Those parts of the body that seem naturally the weaker are indispensable;

23 And those members of the body, which we think to be less honourable, upon these we bestow more abundant honour; and our indecent parts have more abundant loveliness.

and those parts which we deem less honorable we surround with special honor; and our ungraceful parts receive a special grace which our graceful parts do not require.

24 For our comely parts have no need: but God has tempered the body together, having given more abundant honour to that part which lacked.

Yes, God has so constructed the body – by giving a special honor to the part that lacks it –

25 That there should be no division in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another.

As to secure that there should be no disunion in the body, but that the parts should show the same care for one another.

26 And whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it; or one member be honoured, all the members rejoice with it.

If one part suffers, all the others suffer with it, and if one part has honor done to it, all the others share its joy.

27 Now all of you are the body of Christ, and members in particular.

Together you are the body of Christ, and individually its parts.

28 And God has set some in the church, first apostles, secondly prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues.

In the church God has appointed, first, apostles, secondly preachers, thirdly teachers; then he has given supernatural powers, then power to cure diseases, aptness for helping others, capacity to govern, varieties of the gift of ‘tongues.’

29 Are all apostles? are all prophets? are all teachers? are all workers of miracles?

Can everyone be an apostle? Can everyone be a preacher? Can everyone be a teacher? Can everyone have supernatural powers?

30 Have all the gifts of healing? do all speak with tongues? do all interpret?

Can everyone have power to cure diseases? Can everyone speak in ‘tongues’? Can everyone interpret them?

31 But covet earnestly the best gifts: and yet show I unto you a more excellent way.

Strive for the greater gifts. Yet I can still show you a way beyond all comparison the best.