The First Epistle of Paul the Apostle to the Corinthians

⭑ Geneva Bible :: World English Bible Catholic ⭑

- Chapter 12 -

Now concerning spirituall giftes, brethren, I would not haue you ignorant.

Ye know that ye were Gentiles, and were caried away vnto the dumme Idoles, as ye were led.

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.

Now there are diuersities of gifts, but the same Spirit.

And there are diuersities of administrations, but the same Lord,

And there are diuersities of operations, but God is the same which worketh all in all.

But the manifestation of the Spirit is giuen to euery man, to profite withall.

For to one is giuen by the Spirit the word of wisdome: and to an other the word of knowledge, by the same Spirit:

And to another is giuen faith by the same Spirit: and to another the giftes of healing, by the same Spirit:

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.

And all these thinges worketh one and the selfe same Spirit, distributing to euery man seuerally as he will.

The Body of Christ

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.

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.

For the body also is not one member, but many.

If the foote would say, Because I am not the hand, I am not of the body, is it therefore not of the body?

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?

If the whole body were an eye, where were the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where were the smellling?

But nowe hath God disposed the members euery one of them in the bodie at his owne pleasure.

For if they were all one member, where were the body?

But now are there many members, yet but one body.

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.

Yea, much rather those members of the body, which seeme to be more feeble, are necessarie.

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.

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,

Lest there should be any diuision in the body: but that the members shoulde haue the same care one for another.

Therefore if one member suffer, all suffer with it: if one member be had in honour, all the members reioyce with it.

The Greater Gifts

Now ye are the body of Christ, and members for your part.

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.

Are all Apostles? are all Prophetes? are all teachers?

Are all doers of miracles? haue all the gifts of healing? doe all speake with tongues? doe all interprete?

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

Now concerning spiritual things, brothers, I don’t want you to be ignorant.

You know that when you were heathen,(a) you were led away to those mute idols, however you might be led.

Therefore I make known to you that no man speaking by God’s Spirit says, “Jesus is accursed.” No one can say, “Jesus is Lord,” but by the Holy Spirit.

Now there are various kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit.

There are various kinds of service, and the same Lord.

There are various kinds of workings, but the same God who works all things in all.

But to each one is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the profit of all.

For to one is given through the Spirit the word of wisdom, and to another the word of knowledge according to the same Spirit,

to another faith by the same Spirit, and to another gifts of healings by the same Spirit,

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.

But the one and the same Spirit produces all of these, distributing to each one separately as he desires.

The Body of Christ

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.

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.

For the body is not one member, but many.

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.

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.

If the whole body were an eye, where would the hearing be? If the whole were hearing, where would the smelling be?

But now God has set the members, each one of them, in the body, just as he desired.

If they were all one member, where would the body be?

But now they are many members, but one body.

The eye can’t tell the hand, “I have no need for you,” or again the head to the feet, “I have no need for you.”

No, much rather, those members of the body which seem to be weaker are necessary.

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,

while our presentable parts have no such need. But God composed the body together, giving more abundant honor to the inferior part,

that there should be no division in the body, but that the members should have the same care for one another.

When one member suffers, all the members suffer with it. When one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it.

The Greater Gifts

Now you are the body of Christ, and members individually.

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.

Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Are all miracle workers?

Do all have gifts of healings? Do all speak with various languages? Do all interpret?

But earnestly desire the best gifts. Moreover, I show a most excellent way to you.

Footnotes

(a)12:2 or Gentiles