1 Corinthians 12:30

KJV

Have all the gifts of healing? do all speak with tongues? do all interpret?

KJV (with Strong's)

Have {G3361}{G2192} all {G3956} the gifts {G5486} of healing {G2386}? do all {G3956} speak {G3361}{G2980} with tongues {G1100}? do {G3361} all {G3956} interpret {G1329}?

Complete Jewish Bible

Not all have gifts of healing, not all speak in tongues, not all interpret, do they?

Berean Standard Bible

Do all have gifts of healing? Do all speak in tongues? Do all interpret?

American Standard Version

have all gifts of healings? do all speak with tongues? do all interpret?

Commentary

### SUMMARY
This verse concludes a series of rhetorical questions posed by the Apostle Paul, emphatically asserting that not every believer possesses every spiritual gift. This verse, situated within Paul's comprehensive discourse on the diversity and unity of spiritual gifts in the church, serves to correct the Corinthian congregation's misconceptions regarding the universal possession or superior value of certain charismatic endowments, particularly gifts of healing, speaking in tongues, and interpreting tongues, thereby promoting a humble appreciation for the Spirit's sovereign distribution of abilities for the common good of the body of Christ.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is the culmination of a sequence of rhetorical questions that began in [1 Corinthians 12:29](/1-corinthians/12-29 "1 Corinthians 12:29 - Diversity of Roles in the Body"). Paul's immediate aim is to reinforce the truth, established earlier in the chapter, that just as a physical body comprises many different, indispensable parts, so too the body of Christ is made up of believers with diverse functions and gifts. The questions "Are all apostles? are all prophets? are all teachers?" ([1 Corinthians 12:29](/1-corinthians/12-29 "1 Corinthians 12:29 - Diversity of Roles")) are designed to elicit an obvious "No," leading directly into the questions in verse 30 concerning gifts of healing, tongues, and interpretation. This structure underscores the non-universal nature of these gifts, directly challenging any Corinthian belief that certain gifts were mandatory for all or indicative of a higher spiritual status. The entire passage, from [1 Corinthians 12:1](/1-corinthians/12 "1 Corinthians 12 - Spiritual Gifts") to [1 Corinthians 12:31](/1-corinthians/12-31 "1 Corinthians 12:31 - Desire the Greater Gifts"), emphasizes unity in diversity, culminating in the "more excellent way" of love in [1 Corinthians 13](/1-corinthians/13 "1 Corinthians 13 - The Way of Love").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The city of Corinth was a bustling, cosmopolitan port city, known for its wealth, diverse population, and a vibrant, often licentious, pagan culture. The Corinthian church, though gifted, was plagued by internal divisions, pride, and a misunderstanding of Christian liberty and spiritual gifts. There was a tendency to value showy, ecstatic gifts, particularly speaking in tongues (glossolalia), over less outwardly impressive but equally vital gifts. This led to disorder in worship, a sense of spiritual elitism among those who spoke in tongues, and a devaluation of others. Paul's letter directly addresses these issues, providing theological correction and practical guidance for orderly worship and mutual edification. The emphasis on "all" in these rhetorical questions directly confronts the cultural pressure within the Corinthian church to conform to a perceived norm of possessing certain gifts.
* **Key Themes:** [1 Corinthians 12:30](/1-corinthians/12-30 "1 Corinthians 12:30 - Diversity of Spiritual Gifts") contributes significantly to several key themes within [1 Corinthians 12](/1-corinthians/12 "1 Corinthians 12 - Spiritual Gifts") and the broader letter. The most prominent is the **Diversity of Spiritual Gifts**, highlighting that God sovereignly distributes a variety of endowments, not a uniform set, among believers. This diversity is essential for the **Unity of the Body of Christ**, as each gift, like each body part, plays a unique and necessary role for the health and functioning of the whole ([1 Corinthians 12:12-27](/1-corinthians/12-12-27 "1 Corinthians 12:12-27 - The Body of Christ Metaphor")). The verse also underscores the **Sovereignty of the Holy Spirit** in gift distribution, as the Spirit "distributes to each one individually as He wills" ([1 Corinthians 12:11](/1-corinthians/12-11 "1 Corinthians 12:11 - Spirit's Sovereign Distribution")). Finally, it serves as a **Correction of Misconceptions** regarding spiritual elitism and the universal necessity of certain gifts, particularly tongues, which was a significant point of contention and disorder in Corinthian worship ([1 Corinthians 14](/1-corinthians/14 "1 Corinthians 14 - Orderly Worship")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **healing (Greek, _íama'_):** From *iaomai*, meaning "to cure" or "to heal," this term refers to the *effect* or *result* of a cure. In this context, "gifts of healing" (plural) suggests that there might be various types or manifestations of healing, or that the gift is applied to various diseases, rather than a single, all-encompassing ability to heal every ailment. It denotes a miraculous faculty given by God to bring about physical restoration.
* **tongues (Greek, _glōssa'_):** Literally "the tongue," but by implication, a language, especially one supernaturally acquired. In the New Testament, *glōssa* can refer to known human languages (e.g., [Acts 2:4-11](/acts/2-4-11 "Acts 2:4-11 - Tongues at Pentecost")) or to a divinely inspired, unintelligible utterance that requires interpretation (e.g., [1 Corinthians 14:2](/1-corinthians/14-2 "1 Corinthians 14:2 - Speaking in Tongues without Interpretation")). Here, it refers to the spiritual gift of speaking in such a language.
* **interpret (Greek, _diermēneúō'_):** From *dia* (through) and *hermēneuō* (to interpret), meaning "to explain thoroughly" or "to translate." This gift is the supernatural ability to understand and render into a known language what has been spoken in tongues, making it intelligible and edifying to the congregation. It is presented as a necessary counterpart to the gift of tongues for the sake of corporate understanding and edification ([1 Corinthians 14:5](/1-corinthians/14-5 "1 Corinthians 14:5 - Interpretation for Edification")).

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Have all the gifts of healing?"**: This is the first of three rhetorical questions, each beginning with the Greek particle *mē* (G3361), which anticipates a negative answer. Paul is not asking for information but making a strong assertion: "Surely not all possess the gifts of healing!" This gift, involving miraculous restoration of health, is not universally distributed among believers.
* **"do all speak with tongues?"**: Following the same rhetorical pattern, Paul challenges the notion that speaking in tongues is a universal experience or a prerequisite for spiritual maturity. The implied answer is a resounding "No." This directly addresses the Corinthian church's overemphasis on this particular gift.
* **"do all interpret?"**: The final question in the series reinforces the principle of diverse gifting. Just as not all speak in tongues, even fewer possess the distinct gift of interpreting those tongues. This highlights the specialized nature of these gifts and the Spirit's intentional distribution, ensuring interdependence within the body.

#### Literary Devices
The primary literary device employed in [1 Corinthians 12:30](/1-corinthians/12-30 "1 Corinthians 12:30 - Diversity of Spiritual Gifts") is **Rhetorical Question**. Paul uses a series of questions that are not meant to be answered aloud but are designed to make an obvious point. The Greek particle *mē* (μὴ) at the beginning of each question signals that a negative answer is expected, powerfully underscoring Paul's argument that spiritual gifts are not universally distributed. This technique serves to challenge the Corinthians' erroneous assumptions and to guide them toward the correct understanding of the Spirit's sovereign work. Furthermore, the verse implicitly draws upon the broader **Metaphor** of the church as a physical body, which Paul develops extensively in [1 Corinthians 12:12-27](/1-corinthians/12-12-27 "1 Corinthians 12:12-27 - The Body of Christ Metaphor"). By asking if "all" possess specific "parts" (gifts), he reinforces the idea that just as not all body parts are eyes or hands, not all believers will have the same spiritual functions or abilities.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
[1 Corinthians 12:30](/1-corinthians/12-30 "1 Corinthians 12:30 - Diversity of Spiritual Gifts") is a crucial verse for understanding the nature and distribution of spiritual gifts within the church. It firmly establishes the principle that God, through the Holy Spirit, sovereignly bestows diverse gifts upon believers, rather than granting every gift to every individual. This diversity is not a flaw but a divine design, fostering interdependence and preventing spiritual pride or inferiority complexes. The purpose of this distribution is the edification and healthy functioning of the entire body of Christ, ensuring that every member is valued and every gift contributes to the common good. It corrects the dangerous misconception that certain gifts are universally available or are marks of superior spirituality, thereby promoting humility, unity, and a focus on love as the "more excellent way" ([1 Corinthians 12:31](/1-corinthians/12-31 "1 Corinthians 12:31 - Desire the Greater Gifts")).

* [Romans 12:4-6](/romans/12-4-6 "Romans 12:4-6 - Diverse Gifts in One Body")
* [Ephesians 4:11-12](/ephesians/4-11-12 "Ephesians 4:11-12 - Gifts for Equipping the Saints")
* [1 Peter 4:10-11](/1-peter/4-10-11 "1 Peter 4:10-11 - Stewarding God's Grace")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
[1 Corinthians 12:30](/1-corinthians/12-30 "1 Corinthians 12:30 - Diversity of Spiritual Gifts") offers profound insights for contemporary believers and churches. It liberates us from the pressure to conform to a specific mold of giftedness, reminding us that God delights in diversity. Instead of striving for gifts we do not possess or comparing ourselves to others, we are called to humbly recognize and faithfully steward the unique endowments God has given us. This verse encourages a healthy appreciation for every member of the body of Christ, understanding that each gift, no matter how seemingly small or prominent, is vital for the church's holistic health and mission. It fosters unity by dismantling spiritual elitism and envy, redirecting our focus from individual performance to corporate edification, all empowered by the same Spirit and directed toward the glory of God. Our spiritual growth is not measured by the gifts we have, but by how faithfully we use them in love for the building up of others.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What specific spiritual gifts do you believe God has given you, and how are you currently using them to serve the body of Christ?**
* **In what ways might you be tempted to compare your gifts with others, and how can the truth of [1 Corinthians 12:30](/1-corinthians/12-30 "1 Corinthians 12:30 - Diversity of Spiritual Gifts") counteract that temptation?**
* **How can your local church better celebrate and utilize the diverse gifts present within its congregation, ensuring that no gift is undervalued or overemphasized?**

### FAQ
**Are spiritual gifts like healing and speaking in tongues still active in the church today?**

Answer: While [1 Corinthians 12:30](/1-corinthians/12-30 "1 Corinthians 12:30 - Diversity of Spiritual Gifts") primarily addresses the *distribution* of gifts, the question of their ongoing activity is a matter of ongoing theological debate. Cessationists believe that miraculous sign gifts, such as tongues and healing, ceased with the apostolic age or the completion of the New Testament canon. Continuationists believe that all spiritual gifts mentioned in the New Testament are available and active in the church today, distributed by the Holy Spirit as He wills ([1 Corinthians 12:11](/1-corinthians/12-11 "1 Corinthians 12:11 - Spirit's Sovereign Distribution")). Both perspectives agree that the purpose of gifts is to build up the church and glorify God, and that love is the "more excellent way" ([1 Corinthians 13:1-13](/1-corinthians/13 "1 Corinthians 13 - The Way of Love")), which remains paramount regardless of one's view on the duration of specific gifts.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
[1 Corinthians 12:30](/1-corinthians/12-30 "1 Corinthians 12:30 - Diversity of Spiritual Gifts"), while focusing on the Spirit's distribution of gifts, ultimately points to Christ as the Head of the Church, the source and purpose of all spiritual endowments. It is through Christ that the Holy Spirit is given ([John 14:26](/john/14-26 "John 14:26 - The Holy Spirit, the Helper")) to empower believers for ministry. Just as Christ Himself ministered with diverse signs, wonders, and teachings, so too His body, the church, is equipped by His Spirit to continue His work in the world. The diversity of gifts ensures that the multifaceted ministry of Christ—healing, teaching, evangelizing, serving—can be carried out collectively by His followers. Every gift, whether healing, tongues, or interpretation, serves to build up the body of Christ ([Ephesians 4:12](/ephesians/4-12 "Ephesians 4:12 - Equipping the Saints for Ministry")) and bring glory to the One who is the "all in all" ([Colossians 3:11](/colossians/3-11 "Colossians 3:11 - Christ is All")). The ultimate fulfillment of these gifts is seen in their contribution to the church's maturity "to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ" ([Ephesians 4:13](/ephesians/4-13 "Ephesians 4:13 - Growing into Christ's Fullness")), demonstrating His power and love to a watching world.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

1 Corinthians 12:10

To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another [divers] kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues: