Thanksgiving

⁴ I always thank^(A) my God for you because of the grace of God given to you in Christ Jesus, ⁵ that you were enriched in him^(B) in every way, in all speech and all knowledge.^{(C) 6} In this way, the testimony about Christ was confirmed among you,^{(D) 7} so that you do not lack any spiritual gift as you eagerly wait^(E) for the revelation^(F) of our Lord Jesus Christ.

⁴ Now there are different gifts,^(A) 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^(B) for the common good: ⁸ to one^(C) is given a message of wisdom^(D) 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^(E) by the one Spirit, ¹⁰ to another, the performing of miracles,^(F) to another, prophecy,^(G) to another, distinguishing between spirits,^(H) to another, different kinds of tongues,^[a] 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^(I) and has many parts, and all the parts of that body, though many, are one body—so also is Christ.^{(J) 13} For we were all baptized by^[b] one Spirit into one body—whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free—and we were all given one Spirit to drink.^{(K) 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.^{(L) 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,^(M) 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^(N) in the body, but that the members would have the same concern for each other.

Love: The Superior Way

13 If I speak human or angelic tongues^[a] but do not have love,^(A) I am a noisy gong^(B) or a clanging cymbal. ² If I have the gift of prophecy^(C) and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith so that I can move mountains^(D) but do not have love, I am nothing. ³ And if I give away all my possessions, and if I give over my body in order to boast^[b] but do not have love, I gain nothing.

Prophecy: A Superior Gift

14 Pursue love and desire spiritual gifts, and especially that you may prophesy. ² For the person who speaks in a tongue^[a](A) is not speaking to people but to God, since no one understands him; he speaks mysteries in the Spirit.^{[b] 3} On the other hand, the person who prophesies speaks to people for their strengthening,^[c] encouragement, and consolation. ⁴ The person who speaks in a tongue builds himself up, but the one who prophesies builds up the church.

¹² So also you—since you are zealous^(A) for spiritual gifts,^[a](B) seek to excel in building up the church.

¹³ Therefore the person who speaks in a tongue should pray that he can interpret. ¹⁴ For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit^(C) prays, but my understanding is unfruitful.^{(D) 15} What then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will also pray with my understanding. I will sing praise with the spirit, and I will also sing praise with my understanding. ¹⁶ Otherwise, if you praise with the spirit,^[b] how will the outsider^[c] say “Amen”^(E) at your giving of thanks, since he does not know what you are saying? ¹⁷ For you may very well be giving thanks, but the other person is not being built up.

Order in Church Meetings

²⁶ What then, brothers and sisters? Whenever you come together, each one^[a] has a hymn, a teaching, a revelation, a tongue, or an interpretation.^(A) Everything is to be done for building up.

³⁹ So then, my brothers and sisters, be eager^(A) to prophesy, and do not forbid speaking in tongues. ⁴⁰ But everything is to be done decently^(B) and in order.