The First Epistle of Paul the Apostle to the Corinthians

⭑ King James Version :: World English Bible Catholic ⭑

- Chapter 12 -

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

Ye know that ye were Gentiles, carried away unto these dumb idols, even as ye were led.

Wherefore I give you to understand, that no man speaking by the Spirit of God calleth Jesus accursed: and that no man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost.

Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit.

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

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

But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal.

For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit;

To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit;

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

But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will.

The Body of Christ

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

For by one Spirit 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.

For the body is not one member, but many.

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

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?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The Greater Gifts

Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular.

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

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

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

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

Now concerning spiritual things, brothers, I don’t want you to be ignorant.

You know that when you were heathen,(a) you were led away to those mute idols, however you might be led.

Therefore 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.

Now there are various kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit.

There are various kinds of service, and the same Lord.

There are various kinds of workings, but the same God who works all things in all.

But to each one is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the profit of all.

For to one is given through the Spirit the word of wisdom, and to another the word of knowledge according to the same Spirit,

to another faith by the same Spirit, and to another gifts of healings by the same Spirit,

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.

But the one and the same Spirit produces all of these, distributing to each one separately as he desires.

The Body of Christ

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.

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.

For the body is not one member, but many.

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.

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.

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

But now God has set the members, each one of them, in the body, just as he desired.

If they were all one member, where would the body be?

But now they are many members, but one body.

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.”

No, much rather, those members of the body which seem to be weaker are necessary.

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 modesty,

while our presentable parts have no such need. But God composed the body together, giving more abundant honor to the inferior part,

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

When one member suffers, all the members suffer with it. When one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it.

The Greater Gifts

Now you are the body of Christ, and members individually.

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.

Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Are all miracle workers?

Do all have gifts of healings? Do all speak with various languages? Do all interpret?

But earnestly desire the best gifts. Moreover, I show a most excellent way to you.

Footnotes

(a)12:2 or Gentiles