1 Corinthians12

First Corinthians chapter twelve addresses the nature and distribution of spiritual gifts within the church. It emphasizes that while there are diverse gifts, administrations, and operations, they all originate from the same Spirit, Lord, and God. The chapter uses the metaphor of the human body to illustrate that many different members, each with unique functions, are necessary to form one unified body, which is Christ.

Introduction to Spiritual Gifts

1
Now concerning spirituall giftes, brethren, I would not haue you ignorant.
2
Ye know that ye were Gentiles, and were caried away vnto the dumme Idoles, as ye were led.
3
Wherefore, I declare vnto you, that no man speaking by the Spirit of God calleth Iesus execrable: also no man can say that Iesus is the Lord, but by the holy Ghost.

Unity in Diversity: The Source of Gifts

4
Now there are diuersities of gifts, but the same Spirit.
5
And there are diuersities of administrations, but the same Lord,
6
And there are diuersities of operations, but God is the same which worketh all in all.
7
But the manifestation of the Spirit is giuen to euery man, to profite withall.
8
For to one is giuen by the Spirit the word of wisdome: and to an other the word of knowledge, by the same Spirit:
9
And to another is giuen faith by the same Spirit: and to another the giftes of healing, by the same Spirit:
10
And to another the operations of great workes: and to another, prophecie: and to another, the discerning of spirits: and to another, diuersities of tongues: and to another, the interpretation of tongues.
11
And all these thinges worketh one and the selfe same Spirit, distributing to euery man seuerally as he will.

The Church as the Body of Christ

12
For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of the body, which is one, though they be many, yet are but one body: euen so is Christ.
13
For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we bee Iewes, or Grecians, whether we be bonde, or free, and haue bene all made to drinke into one Spirit.
14
For the body also is not one member, but many.
15
If the foote would say, Because I am not the hand, I am not of the body, is it therefore not of the body?
16
And if the eare would say, Because I am not the eye, I am not of the body, is it therefore not of the body?
17
If the whole body were an eye, where were the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where were the smellling?
18
But nowe hath God disposed the members euery one of them in the bodie at his owne pleasure.
19
For if they were all one member, where were the body?
20
But now are there many members, yet but one body.
21
And the eye cannot say vnto the hand, I haue no neede of thee: nor the head againe to the feete, I haue no neede of you.
22
Yea, much rather those members of the body, which seeme to be more feeble, are necessarie.
23
And vpon those members of the body, which wee thinke most vnhonest, put wee more honestie on: and our vncomely parts haue more comelinesse on.
24
For our comely partes neede it not: but God hath tempered the body together, and hath giuen the more honour to that part which lacked,
25
Lest there should be any diuision in the body: but that the members shoulde haue the same care one for another.
26
Therefore if one member suffer, all suffer with it: if one member be had in honour, all the members reioyce with it.

Structure and Ordering of Gifts in the Church

27
Now ye are the body of Christ, and members for your part.
28
And God hath ordained some in the Church: as first Apostles, secondly Prophetes, thirdly teachers, then them that doe miracles: after that, the giftes of healing, helpers, gouernours, diuersitie of tongues.
29
Are all Apostles? are all Prophetes? are all teachers?
30
Are all doers of miracles? haue all the gifts of healing? doe all speake with tongues? doe all interprete?

A Call to Seek the Best Gifts

31
But desire you the best giftes, and I will yet shewe you a more excellent way.
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