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,^{(A) 13} until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of God’s Son,^(B) growing into maturity with a stature^(C) measured by Christ’s fullness.

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,^(A) 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^(B) 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,^(C) and individual members of it. ²⁸ And God has appointed these in the church:^(D) first apostles, second prophets, third teachers,^(E) next miracles,^(F) then gifts of healing,^(G) helping, leading, various kinds of tongues.^{[a] 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?^{(H) 31} But desire^(I) the greater gifts. And I will show you an even better way.