Spiritual Gifts: Unity in Diversity

12 Now ^(A)concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I do not want you to be ignorant: ² You know ^(B)that^[a] you were Gentiles, carried away to these ^(C)dumb^[b] idols, however you were led. ³ Therefore I make known to you that no one speaking by the Spirit of God calls Jesus ^[c]accursed, and ^(D)no one can say that Jesus is Lord except by the Holy Spirit.

^4 (E)There are ^[d]diversities of gifts, but ^(F)the same Spirit. ^5 (G)There are differences of ministries, but the same Lord. ⁶ And there are diversities of activities, but it is the same God ^(H)who works ^[e]all in all. ⁷ But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all: ⁸ for to one is given ^(I)the word of wisdom through the Spirit, to another ^(J)the word of knowledge through the same Spirit, ^9 (K)to another faith by the same Spirit, to another ^(L)gifts of healings by ^[f]the same Spirit, ^10 (M)to another the working of miracles, to another ^(N)prophecy, to another ^(O)discerning of spirits, to another ^(P)different kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. ¹¹ But one and the same Spirit works all these things, ^(Q)distributing to each one individually ^(R)as He wills.

Unity and Diversity in One Body^(S)

¹² For ^(T)as the body is one and has many members, but all the members of that one body, being many, are one body, ^(U)so also is Christ. ¹³ For ^(V)by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—^(W)whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free—and ^(X)have all been made to drink ^[g]into one Spirit. ¹⁴ For in fact the body is not one member but many.

¹⁵ If the foot should say, “Because I am not a hand, I am not of the body,” is it therefore not of the body? ¹⁶ And if the ear should say, “Because I am not an eye, I am not of the body,” is it therefore not of the body? ¹⁷ If the whole body were an eye, where would be the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where would be the smelling? ¹⁸ But now ^(Y)God has set the members, each one of them, in the body ^(Z)just as He pleased. ¹⁹ And if they were all one member, where would the body be?

²⁰ But now indeed there are many members, yet one body. ²¹ And the eye cannot say to the hand, “I have no need of you”; nor again the head to the feet, “I have no need of you.” ²² No, much rather, those members of the body which seem to be weaker are necessary. ²³ And those members of the body which we think to be less honorable, on these we bestow greater honor; and our unpresentable parts have greater modesty, ²⁴ but our presentable parts have no need. But God composed the body, having given greater honor to that part which lacks it, ²⁵ that there should be no ^[h]schism in the body, but that the members should have the same care for one another. ²⁶ And if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; or if one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it.

²⁷ Now ^(AA)you are the body of Christ, and ^(AB)members individually. ²⁸ And ^(AC)God has appointed these in the church: first ^(AD)apostles, second ^(AE)prophets, third teachers, after that ^(AF)miracles, then ^(AG)gifts of healings, ^(AH)helps, ^(AI)administrations, varieties of tongues. ²⁹ Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Are all workers of miracles? ³⁰ Do all have gifts of healings? Do all speak with tongues? Do all interpret? ³¹ But ^(AJ)earnestly desire the ^[i]best gifts. And yet I show you a more excellent way.

The Greatest Gift

13 Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal. ² And though I have the gift of ^(AK)prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, ^(AL)so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. ³ And ^(AM)though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body ^[j]to be burned, but have not love, it profits me nothing.

^4 (AN)Love suffers long and is ^(AO)kind; love ^(AP)does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not ^[k]puffed up; ⁵ does not behave rudely, ^(AQ)does not seek its own, is not provoked, ^[l]thinks no evil; ^6 (AR)does not rejoice in iniquity, but ^(AS)rejoices in the truth; ^7 (AT)bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.

⁸ Love never fails. But whether there are prophecies, they will fail; whether there are tongues, they will cease; whether there is knowledge, it will vanish away. ^9 (AU)For we know in part and we prophesy in part. ¹⁰ But when that which is ^[m]perfect has come, then that which is in part will be done away.

¹¹ When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child; but when I became a man, I put away childish things. ¹² For ^(AV)now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then ^(AW)face to face. Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I also am known.

¹³ And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love.

Prophecy and Tongues

14 Pursue love, and ^(AX)desire spiritual gifts, ^(AY)but especially that you may prophesy. ² For he who ^(AZ)speaks in a tongue does not speak to men but to God, for no one understands him; however, in the spirit he speaks mysteries. ³ But he who prophesies speaks ^(BA)edification and ^(BB)exhortation and comfort to men. ⁴ He who speaks in a tongue edifies himself, but he who prophesies edifies the church. ⁵ I wish you all spoke with tongues, but even more that you prophesied; ^[n]for he who prophesies is greater than he who speaks with tongues, unless indeed he interprets, that the church may receive edification.

Tongues Must Be Interpreted

⁶ But now, brethren, if I come to you speaking with tongues, what shall I profit you unless I speak to you either by ^(BC)revelation, by knowledge, by prophesying, or by teaching? ⁷ Even things without life, whether flute or harp, when they make a sound, unless they make a distinction in the sounds, how will it be known what is piped or played? ⁸ For if the trumpet makes an uncertain sound, who will prepare for battle? ⁹ So likewise you, unless you utter by the tongue words easy to understand, how will it be known what is spoken? For you will be speaking into the air. ¹⁰ There are, it may be, so many kinds of languages in the world, and none of them is without ^[o]significance. ¹¹ Therefore, if I do not know the meaning of the language, I shall be a ^[p]foreigner to him who speaks, and he who speaks will be a foreigner to me. ¹² Even so you, since you are ^[q]zealous for spiritual gifts, let it be for the ^[r]edification of the church that you seek to excel.

¹³ Therefore let him who speaks in a tongue pray that he may ^(BD)interpret. ¹⁴ For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my understanding is unfruitful. ¹⁵ What is the conclusion then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will also pray with the understanding. ^(BE)I will sing with the spirit, and I will also sing ^(BF)with the understanding. ¹⁶ Otherwise, if you bless with the spirit, how will he who occupies the place of the uninformed say “Amen” ^(BG)at your giving of thanks, since he does not understand what you say? ¹⁷ For you indeed give thanks well, but the other is not edified.

¹⁸ I thank my God I speak with tongues more than you all; ¹⁹ yet in the church I would rather speak five words with my understanding, that I may teach others also, than ten thousand words in a tongue.

Tongues a Sign to Unbelievers

²⁰ Brethren, ^(BH)do not be children in understanding; however, in malice ^(BI)be babes, but in understanding be mature.

^21 (BJ)In the law it is written:

says the Lord.

²² Therefore tongues are for a ^(BL)sign, not to those who believe but to unbelievers; but prophesying is not for unbelievers but for those who believe. ²³ Therefore if the whole church comes together in one place, and all speak with tongues, and there come in those who are uninformed or unbelievers, ^(BM)will they not say that you are ^[s]out of your mind? ²⁴ But if all prophesy, and an unbeliever or an uninformed person comes in, he is convinced by all, he is convicted by all. ^25 [t]And thus the secrets of his heart are revealed; and so, falling down on his face, he will worship God and report ^(BN)that God is truly among you.

Order in Church Meetings

²⁶ How is it then, brethren? Whenever you come together, each of you has a psalm, ^(BO)has a teaching, has a tongue, has a revelation, has an interpretation. ^(BP)Let all things be done for ^[u]edification. ²⁷ If anyone speaks in a tongue, let there be two or at the most three, each in turn, and let one interpret. ²⁸ But if there is no interpreter, let him keep silent in church, and let him speak to himself and to God. ²⁹ Let two or three prophets speak, and ^(BQ)let the others judge. ³⁰ But if anything is revealed to another who sits by, ^(BR)let the first keep silent. ³¹ For you can all prophesy one by one, that all may learn and all may be encouraged. ³² And ^(BS)the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets. ³³ For God is not the author of ^[v]confusion but of peace, ^(BT)as in all the churches of the saints.

^34 (BU)Let ^[w]your women keep silent in the churches, for they are not permitted to speak; but they are to be submissive, as the ^(BV)law also says. ³⁵ And if they want to learn something, let them ask their own husbands at home; for it is shameful for women to speak in church.

³⁶ Or did the word of God come originally from you? Or was it you only that it reached? ^37 (BW)If anyone thinks himself to be a prophet or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things which I write to you are the commandments of the Lord. ³⁸ But ^[x]if anyone is ignorant, let him be ignorant.

³⁹ Therefore, brethren, ^(BX)desire earnestly to prophesy, and do not forbid to speak with tongues. ^40 (BY)Let all things be done decently and in order.

Living Sacrifices to God

12 I ^(A)beseech^[a] you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies ^(B)a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your ^[b]reasonable service. ² And ^(C)do not be conformed to this world, but ^(D)be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may ^(E)prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.

Serve God with Spiritual Gifts

³ For I say, ^(F)through the grace given to me, to everyone who is among you, ^(G)not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly, as God has dealt ^(H)to each one a measure of faith. ⁴ For ^(I)as we have many members in one body, but all the members do not have the same function, ⁵ so ^(J)we, being many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another. ⁶ Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is ^(K)given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, let us ^(L)prophesy in proportion to our faith; ⁷ or ministry, let us use it in our ministering; ^(M)he who teaches, in teaching; ^8 (N)he who exhorts, in exhortation; ^(O)he who gives, with liberality; ^(P)he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, ^(Q)with cheerfulness.

Behave Like a Christian

^9 (R)Let love be without hypocrisy. ^(S)Abhor what is evil. Cling to what is good. ^10 (T)Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, ^(U)in honor giving preference to one another; ¹¹ not lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord; ^12 (V)rejoicing in hope, ^(W)patient^[c] in tribulation, ^(X)continuing steadfastly in prayer; ^13 (Y)distributing to the needs of the saints, ^(Z)given^[d] to hospitality.

^14 (AA)Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. ^15 (AB)Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep. ^16 (AC)Be of the same mind toward one another. ^(AD)Do not set your mind on high things, but associate with the humble. Do not be wise in your own opinion.

^17 (AE)Repay no one evil for evil. ^(AF)Have^[e] regard for good things in the sight of all men. ¹⁸ If it is possible, as much as depends on you, ^(AG)live peaceably with all men. ¹⁹ Beloved, ^(AH)do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, ^(AI)“Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord. ²⁰ Therefore

²¹ Do not be overcome by evil, but ^(AK)overcome evil with good.

Walk in Unity

4 I, therefore, the prisoner ^[a]of the Lord, ^[b]beseech you to ^(A)walk worthy of the calling with which you were called, ² with all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love, ³ endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit ^(B)in the bond of peace. ^4 (C)There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called in one hope of your calling; ^5 (D)one Lord, ^(E)one faith, ^(F)one baptism; ^6 (G)one God and Father of all, who is above all, and ^(H)through all, and in ^[c]you all.

Spiritual Gifts

⁷ But ^(I)to each one of us grace was given according to the measure of Christ’s gift. ⁸ Therefore He says:

^9 (K)(Now this, “He ascended”—what does it mean but that He also ^[d]first descended into the lower parts of the earth? ¹⁰ He who descended is also the One ^(L)who ascended far above all the heavens, ^(M)that He might fill all things.)

¹¹ And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, ¹² for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, ^(N)for the ^[e]edifying of ^(O)the body of Christ, ¹³ till we all come to the unity of the faith ^(P)and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to ^(Q)a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ; ¹⁴ that we should no longer be ^(R)children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of ^(S)deceitful plotting, ¹⁵ but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the ^(T)head—Christ— ^16 (U)from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love.

The New Man

¹⁷ This I say, therefore, and testify in the Lord, that you should ^(V)no longer walk as ^[f]the rest of the Gentiles walk, in the futility of their mind, ¹⁸ having their understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God, because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the ^(W)blindness of their heart; ^19 (X)who, being past feeling, ^(Y)have given themselves over to lewdness, to work all uncleanness with greediness.

²⁰ But you have not so learned Christ, ²¹ if indeed you have heard Him and have been taught by Him, as the truth is in Jesus: ²² that you ^(Z)put off, concerning your former conduct, the old man which grows corrupt according to the deceitful lusts, ²³ and ^(AA)be renewed in the spirit of your mind, ²⁴ and that you ^(AB)put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness.

Do Not Grieve the Spirit

²⁵ Therefore, putting away lying, ^(AC)“Let each one of you speak truth with his neighbor,” for ^(AD)we are members of one another. ^26 (AE)“Be angry, and do not sin”: do not let the sun go down on your wrath, ^27 (AF)nor give ^[g]place to the devil. ²⁸ Let him who stole steal no longer, but rather ^(AG)let him labor, working with his hands what is good, that he may have something ^(AH)to give him who has need. ^29 (AI)Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but ^(AJ)what is good for necessary ^[h]edification, ^(AK)that it may impart grace to the hearers. ³⁰ And ^(AL)do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. ^31 (AM)Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, ^[i]clamor, and ^(AN)evil speaking be put away from you, ^(AO)with all malice. ³² And ^(AP)be kind to one another, tenderhearted, ^(AQ)forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you.

Christ’s Example to Be Followed

4 Therefore, since Christ suffered ^[a]for us in the flesh, arm yourselves also with the same mind, for he who has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin, ² that he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh for the lusts of men, ^(A)but for the will of God. ³ For we have spent enough of our past ^[b]lifetime in doing the will of the Gentiles—when we walked in lewdness, lusts, drunkenness, revelries, drinking parties, and abominable idolatries. ⁴ In regard to these, they think it strange that you do not run with them in the same flood of dissipation, speaking evil of you. ⁵ They will give an account to Him who is ready ^(B)to judge the living and the dead. ⁶ For this reason ^(C)the gospel was preached also to those who are dead, that they might be judged according to men in the flesh, but ^(D)live according to God in the spirit.

Serving for God’s Glory

⁷ But ^(E)the end of all things is at hand; therefore be serious and watchful in your prayers. ⁸ And above all things have fervent love for one another, for ^(F)“love will cover a multitude of sins.” ^9 (G)Be hospitable to one another ^(H)without grumbling. ^10 (I)As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, ^(J)as good stewards of ^(K)the manifold grace of God. ^11 (L)If anyone speaks, let him speak as the ^[c]oracles of God. If anyone ministers, let him do it as with the ability which God supplies, that ^(M)in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belong the glory and the ^[d]dominion forever and ever. Amen.

Suffering for God’s Glory

¹² Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you; ¹³ but rejoice ^(N)to the extent that you partake of Christ’s sufferings, that ^(O)when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy. ¹⁴ If you are ^[e]reproached for the name of Christ, ^(P)blessed are you, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. ^[f]On their part He is blasphemed, ^(Q)but on your part He is glorified. ¹⁵ But let none of you suffer as a murderer, a thief, an evildoer, or as a ^[g]busybody in other people’s matters. ¹⁶ Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in this ^[h]matter.

¹⁷ For the time has come ^(R)for judgment to begin at the house of God; and if it begins with us first, ^(S)what will be the end of those who do not obey the gospel of God? ¹⁸ Now

¹⁹ Therefore let those who suffer according to the will of God ^(U)commit their souls to Him in doing good, as to a faithful Creator.