The First Seven Deacons Appointed

6 Now in these days, as^[a] the disciples were increasing in number,^[b] a complaint arose by the Greek-speaking Jews^[c] against the Hebraic Jews^[d] because^[e] their widows were being overlooked in the daily distribution of food.^{[f] 2} So the twelve summoned the community of disciples and^[g] said, “It is not desirable that we neglect the word of God to serve tables. ³ So, brothers, select from among you seven men of good reputation,^[h] full of the Spirit and wisdom, whom we will put in charge of this need. ⁴ But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.” ⁵ And the statement pleased the whole group, and they chose Stephen (a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit), and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolaus (a convert from Antioch), ⁶ whom they stood before the apostles. And they prayed and^[i] placed their^[j] hands on them.

¹¹ For I desire to see you, in order that I may impart some spiritual gift to you, in order to strengthen you, ¹² that is, to be encouraged together with you through our mutual faith^[a], both yours and mine.

⁴ For just as in one body we have many members, but all the members do not have the same function, ⁵ in the same way we who are many are one body in Christ, and individually^[a] members of one another, ⁶ but having different gifts according to the grace given to us: if it is prophecy, according to the proportion of his faith; ⁷ if it is service, by service; if it is one who teaches, by teaching; ⁸ if it is one who exhorts, by exhortation; one who gives, with sincerity; one who leads, with diligence; one who shows mercy, with cheerfulness.

Thanksgiving for the Corinthian Believers

⁴ I give thanks to my God always concerning you, because of the grace of God which was given to you in Christ Jesus, ⁵ that^[a] in everything you were made rich in him, in all speech and all knowledge, ⁶ just as the testimony about Christ has been confirmed in you, ⁷ so that you do not lack in any spiritual gift as you^[b] eagerly await the revelation of our Lord Jesus Christ, ⁸ who will also confirm you until the end, blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. ⁹ God is faithful, by whom you were called to fellowship with his Son Jesus Christ our Lord.

⁷ I wish all people could be like myself, but each one has his own gift from God, one in this way and another in that way.

⁸ Now I say to the unmarried and to the widows: It is good for them if they remain as I am. ⁹ But if they cannot control themselves, they should marry, for it is better to marry than to burn with sexual desire.

¹⁰ To the married I command—not I, but the Lord—a wife must not separate from her husband. ¹¹ But if indeed she does separate, she must remain unmarried or be reconciled to her husband. And a husband must not divorce his wife.

⁷ I wish all people could be like myself, but each one has his own gift from God, one in this way and another in that way.

⁸ Now I say to the unmarried and to the widows: It is good for them if they remain as I am. ⁹ But if they cannot control themselves, they should marry, for it is better to marry than to burn with sexual desire.

¹⁰ To the married I command—not I, but the Lord—a wife must not separate from her husband. ¹¹ But if indeed she does separate, she must remain unmarried or be reconciled to her husband. And a husband must not divorce his wife.

²⁷ Now you are the body of Christ, and members of it individually^[a], ²⁸ and whom God has appointed in the church: first, apostles, second, prophets, third, teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healing, helps, administrations, kinds of tongues. ²⁹ Not all are apostles, are they?^[b] Not all are prophets, are they?^[c] Not all are teachers, are they?^[d] Not all are workers of miracles, are they?^{[e] 30} Not all have gifts of healing, do they?^[f] Not all speak with tongues, do they?^[g] Not all interpret, do they?^[h]

²⁷ Now you are the body of Christ, and members of it individually^[a], ²⁸ and whom God has appointed in the church: first, apostles, second, prophets, third, teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healing, helps, administrations, kinds of tongues. ²⁹ Not all are apostles, are they?^[b] Not all are prophets, are they?^[c] Not all are teachers, are they?^[d] Not all are workers of miracles, are they?^{[e] 30} Not all have gifts of healing, do they?^[f] Not all speak with tongues, do they?^[g] Not all interpret, do they?^[h]

²⁷ Now you are the body of Christ, and members of it individually^[a], ²⁸ and whom God has appointed in the church: first, apostles, second, prophets, third, teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healing, helps, administrations, kinds of tongues. ²⁹ Not all are apostles, are they?^[b] Not all are prophets, are they?^[c] Not all are teachers, are they?^[d] Not all are workers of miracles, are they?^{[e] 30} Not all have gifts of healing, do they?^[f] Not all speak with tongues, do they?^[g] Not all interpret, do they?^[h]