1 Corinthians 12:27-31
Disciples’ Literal New Testament
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[a]. 28 And God placed some[b] in the church as first, apostles[c]; second, prophets; third, teachers; then miracles; then gifts of healings, helps, administrations, kinds of tongues. 29 All are not apostles, are[d] 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[e] the greater gifts.
The Value of Your God-Given Gift Is Measured By Your Love
And[f] I show you a way still[g] beyond measure[h]:
Read full chapterFootnotes
- 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).
- 1 Corinthians 12:28 Paul starts to say some... others, but then combines this with first, second, in order to rank the gifts.
- 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.
- 1 Corinthians 12:29 The grammar of all these questions expects a ‘no’ answer.
- 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.
- 1 Corinthians 12:31 Having completed his main explanation of gifts, Paul now puts them in a broader context.
- 1 Corinthians 12:31 Or, And furthermore, I show you a way beyond measure.
- 1 Corinthians 12:31 While some gifts are greater than others in edification value, love is beyond measure. God gives gifts; God is love.
1 Corinthians 12:27-31
New International Version
27 Now you are the body of Christ,(A) and each one of you is a part of it.(B) 28 And God has placed in the church(C) first of all apostles,(D) second prophets,(E) third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healing,(F) of helping, of guidance,(G) and of different kinds of tongues.(H) 29 Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles? 30 Do all have gifts of healing? Do all speak in tongues[a]?(I) Do all interpret? 31 Now eagerly desire(J) the greater gifts.
Love Is Indispensable
And yet I will show you the most excellent way.
Footnotes
- 1 Corinthians 12:30 Or other languages
Disciples' Literal New Testament: Serving Modern Disciples by More Fully Reflecting the Writing Style of the Ancient Disciples, Copyright © 2011 Michael J. Magill. All Rights Reserved. Published by Reyma Publishing
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