God's New Bible

The First Epistle of Paul the Apostle to the Corinthians

Catholic Public Domain :: World English Bible Catholic

- Chapter 12 -

1
Now concerning spiritual things, I do not want you to be ignorant, brothers.
2
You know that when you were Gentiles, you approached mute idols, doing what you were led to do.
3
Because of this, I would have you know that no one speaking in the Spirit of God utters a curse against Jesus. And no one is able to say that Jesus is Lord, except in the Holy Spirit.
4
Truly, there are diverse graces, but the same Spirit.
5
And there are diverse ministries, but the same Lord.
6
And there are diverse works, but the same God, who works everything in everyone.
7
However, the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one toward what is beneficial.
8
Certainly, to one, through the Spirit, is given words of wisdom; but to another, according to the same Spirit, words of knowledge;
9
to another, in the same Spirit, faith; to another, in the one Spirit, the gift of healing;
10
to another, miraculous works; to another, prophecy; to another, the discernment of spirits; to another, different kinds of languages; to another, the interpretation of words.
11
But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one according to his will.

The Body of Christ

12
For just as the body is one, and yet has many parts, so all the parts of the body, though they are many, are only one body. So also is Christ.
13
And indeed, in one Spirit, we were all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Gentiles, whether servant or free. And we all drank in the one Spirit.
14
For the body, too, is not one part, but many.
15
If the foot were to say, “Because I am not the hand, I am not of the body,” would it then not be of the body?
16
And if the ear were to say, “Because I am not the eye, I am not of the body,” would it then not be of the body?
17
If the whole body were the eye, how would it hear? If the whole were hearing, how would it smell?
18
But instead, God has placed the parts, each one of them, in the body, just as it has pleased him.
19
So if they were all one part, how would it be a body?
20
But instead, there are many parts, indeed, yet one body.
21
And the eye cannot say to the hand, “I have no need for your works.” And again, the head cannot say to the feet, “You are of no use to me.”
22
In fact, so much more necessary are those parts of the body which seem to be weaker.
23
And though we consider certain parts of the body to be less noble, we surround these with more abundant dignity, and so, those parts which are less presentable end up with more abundant respect.
24
However, our presentable parts have no such need, since God has tempered the body together, distributing the more abundant honor to that which has the need,
25
so that there might be no schism in the body, but instead the parts themselves might take care of one another.
26
And so, if one part suffers anything, all the parts suffer with it. Or, if one part finds glory, all the parts rejoice with it.

The Greater Gifts

27
Now you are the body of Christ, and parts like any part.
28
And indeed, God has established a certain order in the Church: first Apostles, second Prophets, third Teachers, next miracle-workers, and then the grace of healing, of helping others, of governing, of different kinds of languages, and of the interpretation of words.
29
Are all Apostles? Are all Prophets? Are all Teachers?
30
Are all workers of miracles? Do all have the grace of healing? Do all speak in tongues? Do all interpret?
31
But be zealous for the better charisms. And I reveal to you a yet more excellent way.
1
Now concerning spiritual things, brothers, I don’t want you to be ignorant.
2
You know that when you were heathen,(a) you were led away to those mute idols, however you might be led.
3
Therefore I make known to you that no man speaking by Gods Spirit says, “Jesus is accursed.” No one can say, “Jesus is Lord,” but by the Holy Spirit.
4
Now there are various kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit.
5
There are various kinds of service, and the same Lord.
6
There are various kinds of workings, but the same God who works all things in all.
7
But to each one is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the profit of all.
8
For to one is given through the Spirit the word of wisdom, and to another the word of knowledge according to the same Spirit,
9
to another faith by the same Spirit, and to another gifts of healings by the same Spirit,
10
and to another workings of miracles, and to another prophecy, and to another discerning of spirits, to another different kinds of languages, and to another the interpretation of languages.
11
But the one and the same Spirit produces all of these, distributing to each one separately as he desires.

The Body of Christ

12
For 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.
13
For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, whether bond or free; and were all given to drink into one Spirit.
14
For the body is not one member, but many.
15
If the foot would say, “Because I’m not the hand, I’m not part of the body,” it is not therefore not part of the body.
16
If the ear would say, “Because I’m not the eye, I’m not part of the body,” it’s not therefore not part of the body.
17
If the whole body were an eye, where would the hearing be? If the whole were hearing, where would the smelling be?
18
But now God has set the members, each one of them, in the body, just as he desired.
19
If they were all one member, where would the body be?
20
But now they are many members, but one body.
21
The eye cant tell the hand, “I have no need for you,” or again the head to the feet, “I have no need for you.”
22
No, much rather, those members of the body which seem to be weaker are necessary.
23
Those parts of the body which we think to be less honorable, on those we bestow more abundant honor; and our unpresentable parts have more abundant modesty,
24
while our presentable parts have no such need. But God composed the body together, giving more abundant honor to the inferior part,
25
that there should be no division in the body, but that the members should have the same care for one another.
26
When one member suffers, all the members suffer with it. When one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it.

The Greater Gifts

27
Now you are the body of Christ, and members individually.
28
God has set some in the assembly: first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracle workers, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, and various kinds of languages.
29
Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Are all miracle workers?
30
Do all have gifts of healings? Do all speak with various languages? Do all interpret?
31
But earnestly desire the best gifts. Moreover, I show a most excellent way to you.

Footnotes

(a)12:2 or Gentiles