1 Corinthians

Addresses issues in the Corinthian church, teaching on unity, love, and resurrection.

Chapter 12

1 Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I would not have you ignorant.

*Regarding spiritual abilities, brothers, I don't want you to be unaware.

2 Ye know that ye were Gentiles, carried away unto these dumb idols, even as ye were led.

*You know you used to be non-Jews, following silent statues, just like you were guided before.

3 Wherefore I give you to understand, that no man speaking by the Spirit of God calleth Jesus accursed: and that no man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost.

*So, I want you to know that nobody who speaks with God's Spirit calls Jesus cursed. Also, only through the Holy Spirit can someone say that Jesus is their Lord.

4 Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit.

*Now there are different talents, but it's still the same Spirit.

5 And there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord.

*There are different ways to lead, but one and the same boss.

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

*There are different tasks, but it's the same God doing everything through everyone.

7 But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal.

*But the Spirit's showing is given to everyone for their benefit.

8 For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit;

*The Spirit gives some people the gift of wise words, while others receive the gift of knowing things through the same Spirit.

9 To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit;

*By the same Spirit, some have one faith while others get the power to heal.

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:

*To some, miracles; to others, prophecy; to more, recognizing different spirits; to a few, speaking in many languages; to a few, understanding those languages.

11 But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will.

*But this one Spirit does all these things, giving different gifts to each person as He chooses.

12 For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ.

*Just like a body has one main part but many parts overall, and all those different parts make up just one body, it's the same with Christ.

13 For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.

*Through one Spirit, we are all part of one group, no matter if we are Jewish or not, or if we are slaves or free; we all share the same Spirit.

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

*The body isn't just one part; it's made up of several parts.

15 If the foot shall say, Because I am not the hand, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body?

*If the foot thinks, "I'm not a hand, so I'm not part of the body," does that mean it isn't part of the body?

16 And if the ear shall say, Because I am not the eye, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body?

*If the ear claims it's not an eye and doesn't belong to the body, is it still not a part of the body?

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

*If our entire body was just an eye, where would hearing come from? If we only had hearing, where would the sense of smell be?

18 But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him.

*But now, God has placed each part in the body wherever he wants.

19 And if they were all one member, where were the body?

*If everyone was just one part, where would the whole body be?

20 But now are they many members, yet but one body.

*But now there are many parts, but still only one body.

21 And the eye cannot say unto the hand, I have no need of thee: nor again the head to the feet, I have no need of you.

*The eye can't tell the hand it doesn't need it, or the head can't tell the feet it doesn't need them.

22 Nay, much more those members of the body, which seem to be more feeble, are necessary:

*No, actually the weaker-seeming body parts are even more important.

23 And those members of the body, which we think to be less honourable, upon these we bestow more abundant honour; and our uncomely parts have more abundant comeliness.

*We give extra importance to the parts of the body we usually don't value much, and make them more attractive.

24 For our comely parts have no need: but God hath tempered the body together, having given more abundant honour to that part which lacked:

*We don't need to be attractive; God has joined our body together and given more importance to the less important part.

25 That there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another.

*So, it means that the different parts of something (like a group or an organization) shouldn't argue and split apart. Instead, they should all look out for each other in the same way.

26 And whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it; or one member be honoured, all the members rejoice with it.

*If one part hurts, all parts hurt along with it; if one part is praised, all parts celebrate together.

27 Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular.

*Now you are part of Christ's body, with specific roles.

28 And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues.

*God has put different people in the church with different roles. First, there are apostles, then prophets, followed by teachers. After that, there are miracles, gifts of healing, helping, leading, and speaking in different languages.

29 Are all apostles? are all prophets? are all teachers? are all workers of miracles?

*Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Are all miraculous workers?

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

*Do you have all the healing abilities? Can everyone speak in different languages? Can all of you understand what is being said in those languages?

31 But covet earnestly the best gifts: and yet shew I unto you a more excellent way.

*But desire strongly the best abilities; and still, I'm showing you an even better method.

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