Humble Service in the Body of Christ

³ For by the grace given me^(A) I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you. ⁴ For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function,^{(B) 5} so in Christ we, though many, form one body,^(C) and each member belongs to all the others. ⁶ We have different gifts,^(D) according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying,^(E) then prophesy in accordance with your^[a] faith;^{(F) 7} if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach;^{(G) 8} if it is to encourage, then give encouragement;^(H) if it is giving, then give generously;^(I) if it is to lead,^[b] do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.

⁷ Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good.^{(A) 8} To one there is given through the Spirit a message of wisdom,^(B) to another a message of knowledge^(C) by means of the same Spirit, ⁹ to another faith^(D) by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing^(E) by that one Spirit, ¹⁰ to another miraculous powers,^(F) to another prophecy,^(G) to another distinguishing between spirits,^(H) to another speaking in different kinds of tongues,^[a](I) and to still another the interpretation of tongues.^{[b] 11} All these are the work of one and the same Spirit,^(J) and he distributes them to each one, just as he determines.

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.

⁷ But to each one of us^(A) grace^(B) has been given^(C) as Christ apportioned it. ⁸ This is why it^[a] says:

⁹ (What does “he ascended” mean except that he also descended to the lower, earthly regions^[c]? ¹⁰ He who descended is the very one who ascended^(F) higher than all the heavens, in order to fill the whole universe.)^{(G) 11} So Christ himself gave^(H) the apostles,^(I) the prophets,^(J) the evangelists,^(K) the pastors and teachers,^{(L) 12} to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ^(M) may be built up^{(N) 13} until we all reach unity^(O) in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God^(P) and become mature,^(Q) attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.^(R)