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1 Corinthians 12
New American Standard Bible

The Use of Spiritual Gifts

12 Now concerning (A)spiritual gifts, brothers and sisters, (B)I do not want you to be unaware. 2 (C)You know that when you were [a]pagans, you were (D)led [b]astray to the (E)mute idols, however you were led. 3 Therefore I make known to you that no one speaking [c](F)by the Spirit of God says, “Jesus is [d](G)accursed”; and no one can say, “Jesus is (H)Lord,” except [e](I)by the Holy Spirit.

4 Now there are (J)varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit. 5 And there are varieties of ministries, and the same Lord. 6 There are varieties of effects, but the same (K)God who works all things in all persons. 7 But to each one is given the manifestation of the Spirit (L)for the common good. 8 For to one is given the word of (M)wisdom through the Spirit, and to another the word of (N)knowledge according to the same Spirit; 9 to another (O)faith [f]by the same Spirit, and to another (P)gifts of [g]healing [h]by the one Spirit, 10 and to another the [i]effecting of [j](Q)miracles, and to another (R)prophecy, and to another the [k](S)distinguishing of spirits, to another various (T)kinds of tongues, and to another the (U)interpretation of tongues. 11 But one and the same Spirit works all these things, (V)distributing to each one individually just as He [l]wills.

12 For just (W)as the body is one and yet has many parts, and all the parts of the body, though they are many, are one body, (X)so also is Christ. 13 For [m](Y)by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body, whether (Z)Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free, and we were all made to (AA)drink of one Spirit.

14 For (AB)the body is not one part, but many. 15 If the foot says, “Because I am not a hand, I am not a part of the body,” it is not for this reason [n]any less a part of the body. 16 And if the ear says, “Because I am not an eye, I am not a part of the body,” it is not for this reason [o]any less a part of the body. 17 If the whole body were an eye, where would the hearing be? If the whole body were hearing, where would the sense of smell be? 18 But now God has (AC)arranged the parts, each one of them in the body, (AD)just as He desired. 19 If they were all one part, where would the body be? 20 But now (AE)there are many parts, but one body. 21 And the eye cannot say to the hand, “I have no need of you”; or again, the head to the feet, “I have no need of you.” 22 On the contrary, [p]it is much truer that the parts of the body which seem to be weaker are necessary; 23 and those parts of the body which we [q]consider less honorable, [r]on these we bestow greater honor, and our less presentable parts become much more presentable, 24 whereas our more presentable parts have no need of it. But God has so composed the body, giving more abundant honor to that part which lacked, 25 so that there may be no [s]division in the body, but that the parts may have the same care for one another. 26 And if one part of the body suffers, all the parts suffer with it; if a part is [t]honored, all the parts rejoice with it.

27 Now you are (AF)Christ’s body, and (AG)individually parts of it. 28 And God has [u](AH)appointed in (AI)the church, first (AJ)apostles, second (AK)prophets, third (AL)teachers, then [v](AM)miracles, then (AN)gifts of healings, helps, (AO)administrations, and various (AP)kinds of tongues. 29 All are not apostles, are they? All are not prophets, are they? All are not teachers, are they? All are not workers of [w]miracles, are they? 30 All do not have gifts of healings, do they? All do not speak with tongues, do they? All do not (AQ)interpret, do they? 31 But (AR)earnestly desire the greater gifts.

And yet, I am going to show you a far better way.

Footnotes

  1. 1 Corinthians 12:2 Lit Gentiles; i.e., mainly Greeks and Romans, traditionally polytheistic
  2. 1 Corinthians 12:2 Or away
  3. 1 Corinthians 12:3 Or in
  4. 1 Corinthians 12:3 Gr anathema
  5. 1 Corinthians 12:3 Or in
  6. 1 Corinthians 12:9 Or in
  7. 1 Corinthians 12:9 Lit healings
  8. 1 Corinthians 12:9 Or in
  9. 1 Corinthians 12:10 Lit effects
  10. 1 Corinthians 12:10 Or works of power
  11. 1 Corinthians 12:10 Lit distinguishings
  12. 1 Corinthians 12:11 Or intends
  13. 1 Corinthians 12:13 Or in
  14. 1 Corinthians 12:15 Lit not a part
  15. 1 Corinthians 12:16 Lit not a part
  16. 1 Corinthians 12:22 Lit to a much greater degree the parts
  17. 1 Corinthians 12:23 Or think to be
  18. 1 Corinthians 12:23 Or these we clothe with
  19. 1 Corinthians 12:25 Or dissension
  20. 1 Corinthians 12:26 Lit glorified
  21. 1 Corinthians 12:28 Lit set some in
  22. 1 Corinthians 12:28 Or works of power
  23. 1 Corinthians 12:29 Or works of power
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1 Corinthians 12
Disciples’ Literal New Testament

Concerning Spiritual Gifts: God Distributes a Variety of Gifts For Our Mutual Benefit

12 Now concerning the spiritual gifts, brothers, I do not want you to be unaware. 2 You know that when you were Gentiles[a], you were being led-away[b] to the speechless idols, however[c] you were being led. 3 Therefore I make-known to you that no one speaking by the Spirit of God is saying “Jesus is[d] accursed”. And no one is able to say “Jesus is Lord” except by the Holy Spirit. 4 Now there are differences[e] of gifts[f], but the same Spirit. 5 And there are differences of ministries[g], and the same Lord. 6 And there are differences of things-worked[h], but the same God working all things in all persons. 7 And the manifestation[i] of [j] the Spirit is given to each one for our benefit. 8 For to one a word[k] of [l] wisdom is given through the Spirit; and to another, a word of knowledge according-to[m] the same Spirit; 9 to a different one, faith by the same Spirit; and to another, gifts of [n] healings by the one Spirit; 10 and to another, things-worked[o] by miracles; and to another, prophecy[p]; and to another, discernments[q] of spirits; to a different one, kinds of tongues[r]; and to another, interpretation[s] of tongues. 11 But the one and the same Spirit works[t] all these things, distributing to each one individually[u], just as He wills[v].

For The Body of Christ Is Like The Human Body

12 For just as the [human] body is one [body]; and it has many body-parts; and all the body-parts of the [human] body, being many, are one body; so also is Christ.[w]

It Is One Body With One Spirit

13 For indeed with[x] one Spirit, we all were baptized into one body[y]— whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free. And we all were given one Spirit to drink.

It Has Many Body Parts Placed By God

14 For indeed the body is not one body-part, but many. 15 If the foot should say “Because I am not a hand, I am not a part of the body”, it is not for this reason not a part of the body. 16 And if the ear should say “Because I am not an eye, I am not a part of the body”, it is not for this reason not a part of the body. 17 If the whole body were an eye, where would the hearing be? If the whole were an ear, where would the smelling be? 18 But now[z], God placed the body-parts— each one of them— in the body, just as He wanted. 19 And if all were one body-part, where would the body be?

All Body Parts Are Needed For The Healthy Functioning of The One Body

20 But now, there are many body-parts— but one body! 21 And the eye cannot say to the hand, “I do not have need of you”. Or again the head to the feet, “I do not have need of you”. 22 On the contrary, much rather the body-parts of the body seeming to be weaker are necessary. 23 And the things of the body which we are thinking to be more-without-honor, on these we are putting-on[aa] more honor. Indeed our private[ab] parts have more[ac] presentability[ad], 24 but our presentable parts have no need[ae]. But God blended-together the body, having given more honor to the body-part lacking, 25 in order that there should not be division in the body, but that the body-parts should be having the same concern for one another. 26 And if one body-part is suffering, all the body-parts are suffering-with it. If one body-part is being glorified, all the body-parts are rejoicing-with it.

You Are The Parts of Christ’s Body, Placed Where You Are By God

27 And you are the body of Christ, and body-parts in part[af]. 28 And God placed some[ag] in the church as first, apostles[ah]; second, prophets; third, teachers; then miracles; then gifts of healings, helps, administrations, kinds of tongues. 29 All are not apostles, are[ai] they? All are not prophets, are they? All are not teachers, are they? All do not do miracles, do they? 30 All do not have gifts of healings, do they? All do not speak in tongues, do they? All do not interpret, do they? 31 But be zealous-for[aj] the greater gifts.

The Value of Your God-Given Gift Is Measured By Your Love

And[ak] I show you a way still[al] beyond measure[am]:

Footnotes

  1. 1 Corinthians 12:2 That is, non-believers.
  2. 1 Corinthians 12:2 That is, by outside forces beyond your control. This is no longer so. In chapters 12-14 Paul explains how the Spirit of God is working in and through them.
  3. 1 Corinthians 12:2 Or, whenever.
  4. 1 Corinthians 12:3 Or, be.
  5. 1 Corinthians 12:4 Or, divisions, varieties, distributions.
  6. 1 Corinthians 12:4 That is, empowerments proceeding from God’s grace.
  7. 1 Corinthians 12:5 That is, ways and spheres of service.
  8. 1 Corinthians 12:6 Or, effects, products, results, activities. God accomplishes different things in and through us.
  9. 1 Corinthians 12:7 Or, open-disclosure, public revelation.
  10. 1 Corinthians 12:7 That is, given by; or, consisting of.
  11. 1 Corinthians 12:8 Or, speech, saying, message, statement.
  12. 1 Corinthians 12:8 That is, characterized by; or, resulting in.
  13. 1 Corinthians 12:8 Or, based on, by way of.
  14. 1 Corinthians 12:9 That is, resulting in; or, consisting of.
  15. 1 Corinthians 12:10 Or, products of miracles. Or, workings by Him of miracles, workings of His powers. Or, results characterized by miracles, miraculous works. Verse 28 simply says ‘miracles’.
  16. 1 Corinthians 12:10 That is, speaking revelation from God confirmed by supernatural knowledge of past, present or future events; or, speaking revelation from God (but without such confirmation); or, speaking for God, forthtelling, preaching.
  17. 1 Corinthians 12:10 Or, distinguishings.
  18. 1 Corinthians 12:10 Or, languages.
  19. 1 Corinthians 12:10 Or, translation.
  20. 1 Corinthians 12:11 Or, produces, effects.
  21. 1 Corinthians 12:11 Or, his own.
  22. 1 Corinthians 12:11 Or, wants, wishes.
  23. 1 Corinthians 12:12 Paul expands on the four parts of this verse in v 13-31.
  24. 1 Corinthians 12:13 Or, in, by.
  25. 1 Corinthians 12:13 This is what makes the body one body.
  26. 1 Corinthians 12:18 Or, But as-it-is.
  27. 1 Corinthians 12:23 Such as when we put on a ring or robe or fancy shoe.
  28. 1 Corinthians 12:23 Or, shameful, un-honored.
  29. 1 Corinthians 12:23 That is, because we cover them with clothing.
  30. 1 Corinthians 12:23 Or, decorum, decency, propriety.
  31. 1 Corinthians 12:24 That is, of clothing.
  32. 1 Corinthians 12:27 That is, body-parts [of it] in part; the Corinthians are part of Christ’s worldwide body. Or, in [your assigned] part. Or, partially (not the eye, but part of the eye).
  33. 1 Corinthians 12:28 Paul starts to say some... others, but then combines this with first, second, in order to rank the gifts.
  34. 1 Corinthians 12:28 Or, sent ones, official representatives or messengers. That is, the twelve (or so) sent personally by Christ; or more broadly, ones sent out by churches.
  35. 1 Corinthians 12:29 The grammar of all these questions expects a ‘no’ answer.
  36. 1 Corinthians 12:31 The Spirit gives gifts as He wills. But since we do not know the works God has prepared for us (Eph 2:10), we should aim to be of maximum value to the body.
  37. 1 Corinthians 12:31 Having completed his main explanation of gifts, Paul now puts them in a broader context.
  38. 1 Corinthians 12:31 Or, And furthermore, I show you a way beyond measure.
  39. 1 Corinthians 12:31 While some gifts are greater than others in edification value, love is beyond measure. God gives gifts; God is love.
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1 Corinthians 11
1 Corinthians 13
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