Spiritual Gifts

1Now concerning spiritual gifts, brothers, I do not want you to be ignorant. 2You know that when you were pagans, to mute idols you were led, as being carried away. 3Therefore I make known to you that no one speaking in the Spirit of God says, “Jesus is accursed,” and no one is able to say, “Jesus is Lord,” if not in the Holy Spirit.

4Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; 5and there are varieties of services, but the same Lord; 6and there are varieties of workings, but the same God is working all things in everyone.

7Now to each is given the manifestation of the Spirit, for the common profiting. 8For truly, to one is given a word of wisdom by the Spirit, and to another a word of knowledge according to the same Spirit, 9and to a different one faith by the same Spirit, and to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit, 10and to another working of miracles, and to another prophecy, and to another distinguishing of spirits, and to a different one various kinds of tongues, and to another interpretation of tongues. 11Now one and the same the Spirit works all these things, apportioning individually to each as He wills.

The Body of Christ

12For just as the body is one, and has many members, and all the members of the body being many are one body, so also is Christ. 13For also in one Spirit we all were baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free, and we were all made to drink one Spirit.

14For also the body is not one member, but many. 15If the foot should say, “Because I am not a hand, I am not of the body,” not on account of this is it not of the body. 16And if the ear should say, “Because I am not an eye, I am not of the body,” not on account of this is it not of the body. 17If all the body were an eye, where would be the hearing? If all were hearing, where would be the sense of smell?

18But now God has arranged the members, each one of them in the body, as He desired. 19And if all were one member, where would be the body? 20But now indeed, there are many members, but one body.

21Now the eye is not able to say to the hand, “I have no need of you.” Or again the head to the feet, “I have no need of you.” 22But much rather, those members of the body seeming to be weaker are necessary, 23and those of the body we think to be less honorable, these we bestow more abundant honor. And our unpresentable parts have more abundant decorum, 24but our presentable parts have no need.

But God has composed the body, having given more abundant honor to the parts being deficient, 25that there should be no division in the body, but the members should have the same concern for one another. 26And if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; if one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it.

The Greater Gifts

27Now you are the body of Christ, and members in particular. 28And some indeed God has appointed in the church, first apostles, secondly prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healing, helping, administrating, various kinds of tongues. 29Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles? 30Do all have gifts of healings? Do all speak in tongues? Do all interpret? 31But earnestly desire the greater gifts.

And I show to you now a more surpassing way.