The Use of Spiritual Gifts

1Now concerning spiritual gifts, brothers and sisters, I do not want you to be unaware. 2You know that when you were [a]pagans, you were led [b]astray to the mute idols, however you were led. 3Therefore I make known to you that no one speaking [c]by the Spirit of God says, “Jesus is [d]accursed”; and no one can say, “Jesus is Lord,” except [e]by the Holy Spirit.

4Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit. 5And there are varieties of ministries, and the same Lord. 6There are varieties of effects, but the same God who works all things in all persons. 7But to each one is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. 8For to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, and to another the word of knowledge according to the same Spirit; 9to another faith [f]by the same Spirit, and to another gifts of [g]healing [h]by the one Spirit, 10and to another the [i]effecting of [j]miracles, and to another prophecy, and to another the [k]distinguishing of spirits, to another various kinds of tongues, and to another the interpretation of tongues. 11But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually just as He [l]wills.

12For just as the body is one and yet has many parts, and all the parts of the body, though they are many, are one body, so also is Christ. 13For [m]by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free, and we were all made to drink of one Spirit.

14For the body is not one part, but many. 15If the foot says, “Because I am not a hand, I am not a part of the body,” it is not for this reason [n]any less a part of the body. 16And if the ear says, “Because I am not an eye, I am not a part of the body,” it is not for this reason [o]any less a part of the body. 17If the whole body were an eye, where would the hearing be? If the whole body were hearing, where would the sense of smell be? 18But now God has arranged the parts, each one of them in the body, just as He desired. 19If they were all one part, where would the body be? 20But now there are many parts, but one body. 21And the eye cannot say to the hand, “I have no need of you”; or again, the head to the feet, “I have no need of you.” 22On the contrary, [p]it is much truer that the parts of the body which seem to be weaker are necessary; 23and those parts of the body which we [q]consider less honorable, [r]on these we bestow greater honor, and our less presentable parts become much more presentable, 24whereas our more presentable parts have no need of it. But God has so composed the body, giving more abundant honor to that part which lacked, 25so that there may be no [s]division in the body, but that the parts may have the same care for one another. 26And if one part of the body suffers, all the parts suffer with it; if a part is [t]honored, all the parts rejoice with it.

27Now you are Christ’s body, and individually parts of it. 28And God has [u]appointed in the church, first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then [v]miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, administrations, and various kinds of tongues. 29All are not apostles, are they? All are not prophets, are they? All are not teachers, are they? All are not workers of [w]miracles, are they? 30All do not have gifts of healings, do they? All do not speak with tongues, do they? All do not interpret, do they? 31But earnestly desire the greater gifts.

And yet, I am going to show you a far better way.

[a] 2 Lit Gentiles; i.e., mainly Greeks and Romans, traditionally polytheistic
[b] 2 Or away
[c] 3 Or in
[d] 3 Gr anathema
[e] 3 Or in
[f] 9 Or in
[g] 9 Lit healings
[h] 9 Or in
[i] 10 Lit effects
[j] 10 Or works of power
[k] 10 Lit distinguishings
[l] 11 Or intends
[m] 13 Or in
[n] 15 Lit not a part
[o] 16 Lit not a part
[p] 22 Lit to a much greater degree the parts
[q] 23 Or think to be
[r] 23 Or these we clothe with
[s] 25 Or dissension
[t] 26 Lit glorified
[u] 28 Lit set some in
[v] 28 Or works of power
[w] 29 Or works of power