Paul’s First Letter to the Corinthians
Different Spiritual Gifts, Same Spirit
12[1-11] Now about spiritual gifts, Christians, I wouldn’t have you ignorant. You know that when you were like the other peoples, you yourselves were swayed by these dumb statues, just as you were led to believe. So I want you to understand that no one speaking by the Spirit of God can curse Yeshua: and that no one can say that Yeshua is God, but by the Holy Spirit. Now there are differences in your spiritual gifts, but you all have the same Spirit. And there are differences in the ways you worship, but you worship the same Christ. And there are differences in the way you serve, but it’s the same God who works in everything in all Christians. But the appearance of the Spirit is given to each one of you for the good of all Christians. The Word of wisdom is given to some by the Spirit; to others the Word of knowledge by the same Spirit; To others faith by the same Spirit; to others the gifts of healing by the same Spirit; To others the working of amazing things; to others the Word of things to come; to others the understanding of spirits; to another different kinds of languages; to another the interpretation of languages: But the same Spirit does all of these things and gives to everyone as the Christ wants to.
Different Members, Same Body
[12-18] As there are many parts in one body, and all the members of that one body, being many, make up the body: so also is Christ. By one Spirit we’re all baptized into one body, whether we are one race or another, whether we work for someone else or for ourselves; and we have all been made to drink into one Spirit. So the body of Christ isn’t just one member, but many different members. If the foot says, because I am not the hand, I am not part of the body; is it not still part of the body? And if the ear says, because I am not the eye, I am not part of the body; is it not still part of the body? If the whole body were an eye, how would it hear? If the whole body were an ear, how would it smell? So each member has been put in the body, just as God pleased. And if everyone was the same part, how would there be a body?
[20-31] But now they’re many parts, but still one body. And the eye can’t say to the hand I don’t need you: nor the head to the feet, I don’t need you. No, but those members of the body, which seem to be less needed, are still necessary: Those members of the body, which we think to be less needed, we take better care of; and even our private parts are given special treatment and our exposed parts don’t need anything: but God has put the body together, in such a way as to give more honor to those parts which lack it: So that there would be no separation in the body; but that the members would have the same care for one another And if one member suffers, all the members suffer; or when one member is honored, all the members celebrate. Now you’re the body of Christ, and members in particular. And God has set some in the church, first messengers, second preachers, third teachers, after that those who do amazing things, then those who can heal, helpers, overseers, and finally those who speak in different languages. Can they all be messengers? Can they all be great preachers? Can they all be teachers? Do all do amazing things? Do all have the gift of healing? Do all speak in different languages? Do all interpret them? But actively covet the best gifts: and still I show you a better way.
Love Lasts, Other Gifts will End
13[1-3] Though I speak with both human and spiritual languages, if I don’t have love, I am just making noise. And though I have the gift of preaching, and can understand all secrets, and all knowledge; and though I have great faith, so that I could move mountains, but don’t have love, I am nothing. And though I give all my worldly goods to take care of those who are poor, and though I give my body to be burned, but don’t have love, it does me no good.
[4-13] Love puts up with much suffering, and is kindhearted; love doesn’t get jealous; love doesn’t use force and doesn’t consider itself better than others, doesn’t behave poorly, doesn’t try to get its own way, isn’t easily aggravated, doesn’t blame others wrongly; doesn’t approve of sin, but of the truth; takes responsibility in everything, believes everything, hopes for everything, lasts through everything. Love always lasts: but preaching will come to an end; languages will come to an end; and knowledge will come to an end. Because all our knowledge is incomplete, and even our preaching is incomplete. But when what is complete is here, then what is incomplete will come to an end. As a child, I spoke like a child, I took things in like a child, I thought like a child: but as an adult, I gave up those childish ways. Now we see as if through a piece of darkly tinted glass; but then we will see Christ face to face: now I know only partly; but then I will know just as I am known. And now these three are what will really last; faith, hope, and love; and the greatest of these three is love.
