Diversity of Spiritual Gifts

12 Now concerning spiritual gifts:^[a] brothers and sisters, I do not want you to be unaware. ² You know that when you were pagans, you used to be enticed and led astray by mute^(A) idols.^{(B) 3} Therefore I want you to know that no one speaking by the Spirit of God says, “Jesus is cursed,” and no one can say, “Jesus is Lord,” except by the Holy Spirit.

⁴ Now there are different gifts,^(C) but the same Spirit. ⁵ There are different ministries, but the same Lord. ⁶ And there are different activities, but the same God works all of them in each person. ⁷ A manifestation of the Spirit is given to each person^(D) for the common good: ⁸ to one^(E) is given a message of wisdom^(F) through the Spirit, to another, a message of knowledge by the same Spirit, ⁹ to another, faith by the same Spirit, to another, gifts of healing^(G) by the one Spirit, ¹⁰ to another, the performing of miracles,^(H) to another, prophecy,^(I) to another, distinguishing between spirits,^(J) to another, different kinds of tongues,^[b] to another, interpretation of tongues. ¹¹ One and the same Spirit is active in all these, distributing to each person as he wills.

Unity Yet Diversity in the Body

¹² For just as the body is one^(K) and has many parts, and all the parts of that body, though many, are one body—so also is Christ.^{(L) 13} For we were all baptized by^[c] one Spirit into one body—whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free—and we were all given one Spirit to drink.^{(M) 14} Indeed, the body is not one part but many. ¹⁵ If the foot should say, “Because I’m not a hand, I don’t belong to the body,” it is not for that reason any less a part of the body. ¹⁶ And if the ear should say, “Because I’m not an eye, I don’t belong to the body,” it is not for that reason 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 an ear, where would the sense of smell be? ¹⁸ But as it is, God has arranged each one of the parts in the body just as he wanted.^{(N) 19} And if they were all the same part, where would the body be? ²⁰ As it is, there are many parts, but one body. ²¹ The eye cannot say to the hand, “I don’t need you!” Or again, the head can’t say to the feet, “I don’t need you!” ²² On the contrary, those parts of the body that are weaker are indispensable. ²³ And those parts of the body that we consider less honorable,^(O) we clothe these with greater honor, and our unrespectable parts are treated with greater respect, ²⁴ which our respectable parts do not need.

Instead, God has put the body together, giving greater honor to the less honorable, ²⁵ so that there would be no division^(P) in the body, but that the members would have the same concern for each other. ²⁶ So if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; if one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it.

²⁷ Now you are the body of Christ,^(Q) and individual members of it. ²⁸ And God has appointed these in the church:^(R) first apostles, second prophets, third teachers,^(S) next miracles,^(T) then gifts of healing,^(U) helping, leading, various kinds of tongues.^{[d] 29} Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all do miracles? ³⁰ Do all have gifts of healing? Do all speak in tongues? Do all interpret?^{(V) 31} But desire^(W) the greater gifts. And I will show you an even better way.

A Living Sacrifice

12 Therefore, brothers and sisters, in view of the mercies of God, I urge you^(A) to present your bodies as a living sacrifice,^(B) holy and pleasing to God; this is your true worship.^{[a] 2} Do not be conformed^(C) to this age,^(D) but be transformed by the renewing of your mind,^(E) so that you may discern what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will^(F) of God.

Many Gifts but One Body

³ For by the grace^(G) given to me, I tell everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he should think.^(H) Instead, think sensibly, as God has distributed a measure of faith^(I) to each one. ⁴ Now as we have many parts in one body,^(J) and all the parts do not have the same function, ⁵ in the same way we who are many^(K) are one body in Christ^(L) and individually members of one another. ⁶ According to the grace given to us, we have different gifts:^(M) If prophecy,^(N) use it according to the proportion of one’s^[b] faith; ⁷ if service,^(O) use it in service; if teaching,^(P) in teaching; ⁸ if exhorting,^(Q) in exhortation; giving, with generosity;^(R) leading,^(S) with diligence; showing mercy, with cheerfulness.^(T)

Christian Ethics

⁹ Let love be without hypocrisy.^(U) Detest evil;^(V) cling to what is good. ¹⁰ Love one another deeply as brothers and sisters.^(W) Take the lead in honoring one another.^{(X) 11} Do not lack diligence in zeal; be fervent in the Spirit;^[c](Y) serve the Lord.^{(Z) 12} Rejoice in hope;^(AA) be patient in affliction;^(AB) be persistent in prayer.^{(AC) 13} Share with the saints in their needs;^(AD) pursue hospitality.^{(AE) 14} Bless those who persecute you;^(AF) bless and do not curse. ¹⁵ Rejoice with those who rejoice;^(AG) weep with those who weep. ¹⁶ Live in harmony with one another.^(AH) Do not be proud;^(AI) instead, associate with the humble. Do not be wise in your own estimation.^{(AJ) 17} Do not repay anyone evil for evil.^(AK) Give careful thought to do what is honorable^(AL) in everyone’s eyes. ¹⁸ If possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.^{(AM) 19} Friends, do not avenge yourselves; instead, leave room for God’s wrath, because it is written, Vengeance belongs to me; I will repay,^[d](AN) says the Lord. ²⁰ But

²¹ Do not be conquered by evil, but conquer evil with good.

Unity and Diversity in the Body of Christ

4 Therefore I, the prisoner in the Lord,^(A) urge you to walk worthy of the calling you have received, ² with all humility^(B) and gentleness, with patience,^(C) bearing^(D) with one another in love,^{(E) 3} making every effort to keep the unity^(F) of the Spirit^(G) through the bond of peace. ⁴ There is one body and one Spirit^(H)—just as you were called to one hope^[a](I) at your calling— ⁵ one Lord,^(J) one faith,^(K) one baptism, ⁶ one God^(L) and Father^(M) of all, who is above all and through all and in all.^(N)

⁷ Now grace was given to each one of us^(O) according to the measure of Christ’s gift. ⁸ For it says:

⁹ But what does “he ascended” mean except that he^[c] also descended to the lower parts of the earth?^{[d](R) 10} The one who descended is also the one who ascended far above all the heavens,^(S) to fill all things.^{(T) 11} And he himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, some pastors and teachers, ¹² to equip the saints for the work of ministry, to build up the body of Christ,^{(U) 13} until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of God’s Son,^(V) growing into maturity with a stature^(W) measured by Christ’s fullness. ¹⁴ Then we will no longer be little children, tossed by the waves and blown around by every wind of teaching,^(X) by human cunning with cleverness in the techniques of deceit. ¹⁵ But speaking the truth in love, let us grow in every way into him who is the head^(Y)—Christ. ¹⁶ From him the whole body, fitted and knit together^(Z) by every supporting ligament, promotes the growth^(AA) of the body for building itself up in love by the proper working of each individual part.

Living the New Life

¹⁷ Therefore, I say this and testify in the Lord: You should no longer walk as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their thoughts. ¹⁸ They are darkened in their understanding, excluded from the life of God, because of the ignorance that is in them and because^[e] of the hardness of their hearts. ¹⁹ They became callous and gave themselves over to promiscuity for the practice of every kind of impurity^(AB) with a desire for more and more.^[f]

²⁰ But that is not how you came to know Christ, ²¹ assuming you heard about him and were taught by him, as the truth^(AC) is in Jesus, ²² to take off^[g](AD) your former way of life,^(AE) the old self^(AF) that is corrupted by deceitful desires, ²³ to be renewed^[h] in the spirit^(AG) of your minds, ²⁴ and to put on^[i](AH) the new self, the one created^(AI) according to God’s likeness^(AJ) in righteousness and purity of the truth.

²⁵ Therefore, putting away^(AK) lying, speak the truth, each one to his neighbor,^[j](AL) because we are members of one another. ²⁶ Be angry and do not sin.^[k](AM) Don’t let the sun go down on your anger, ²⁷ and don’t give the devil an opportunity. ²⁸ Let the thief no longer steal. Instead, he is to do honest work with his own hands, so that he has something to share^(AN) with anyone in need. ²⁹ No foul language should come from your mouth, but only what is good for building up someone in need,^[l] so that it gives grace to those who hear. ³⁰ And don’t grieve God’s Holy Spirit.^(AO) You were sealed by him^[m] for the day of redemption.^{(AP) 31} Let all bitterness, anger and wrath, shouting and slander be removed from you, along with all malice. ³² And be kind^(AQ) and compassionate^(AR) to one another, forgiving^(AS) one another, just as God also forgave you^[n] in Christ.

Greeting

1 Paul,^(A) an apostle of Christ Jesus by God’s will,^(B) for the sake of the promise of life^(C) in Christ Jesus:

² To Timothy, my dearly loved son.

Grace, mercy, and peace^(D) from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.

Thanksgiving

³ I thank God, whom I serve with a clear conscience^(E) as my ancestors did, when I constantly remember you in my prayers night and day.^{(F) 4} Remembering your tears, I long to see you so that I may be filled with joy. ⁵ I recall your sincere faith^(G) that first lived in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice^(H) and now, I am convinced, is in you also.

⁶ Therefore, I remind you to rekindle the gift of God that is in you through the laying on of my hands.^{(I) 7} For God has not given us a spirit of fear,^(J) but one of power,^[a](K) love,^(L) and sound judgment.

Not Ashamed of the Gospel

⁸ So don’t be ashamed^(M) of the testimony about our Lord,^(N) or of me his prisoner.^(O) Instead, share in suffering for the gospel, relying on the power^(P) of God. ⁹ He has saved us and called us with a holy calling,^(Q) not according to our works,^(R) but according to his own purpose^(S) and grace, which was given to us in Christ Jesus before time began. ¹⁰ This has now been made evident through the appearing^(T) of our Savior Christ Jesus, who has abolished death^(U) and has brought life^(V) and immortality to light through the gospel. ¹¹ For this gospel I was appointed^(W) a herald, apostle, and teacher,^{[b] 12} and that is why I suffer^(X) these things. But I am not ashamed, because I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that he is able to guard what has been entrusted to me^[c](Y) until that day.^(Z)

Be Loyal to the Faith

¹³ Hold on to the pattern of sound teaching^(AA) that you have heard from me,^(AB) in the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. ¹⁴ Guard the good deposit through the Holy Spirit who lives in us. ¹⁵ You know that all those in the province of Asia^(AC) have deserted me,^(AD) including Phygelus and Hermogenes. ¹⁶ May the Lord grant mercy^(AE) to the household of Onesiphorus,^(AF) because he often refreshed me^(AG) and was not ashamed of my chains.^{(AH) 17} On the contrary, when he was in Rome,^(AI) he diligently searched for me and found me. ¹⁸ May the Lord grant that he obtain mercy^(AJ) from him on that day. You know very well how much he ministered at Ephesus.^(AK)