12:1  NOW ABOUT the spiritual gifts (the special endowments of supernatural energy), brethren, I do not want you to be misinformed.

12:2  You know that when you were heathen, you were led off after idols that could not speak [habitually] as impulse directed {and} whenever the occasion might arise.

12:3  Therefore I want you to understand that no one speaking under the power {and} influence of the [Holy] Spirit of God can [ever] say, Jesus be cursed! And no one can [really] say, Jesus is [my] Lord, except by {and} under the power {and} influence of the Holy Spirit.

12:4  Now there are distinctive varieties {and} distributions of endowments (gifts, extraordinary powers distinguishing certain Christians, due to the power of divine grace operating in their souls by the Holy Spirit) and they vary, but the [Holy] Spirit remains the same.

12:5  And there are distinctive varieties of service {and} ministration, but it is the same Lord [Who is served].

12:6  And there are distinctive varieties of operation [of working to accomplish things], but it is the same God Who inspires {and} energizes them all in all.

12:7  But to each one is given the manifestation of the [Holy] Spirit [the evidence, the spiritual illumination of the Spirit] for good {and} profit.

12:8  To one is given in {and} through the [Holy] Spirit [the power to speak] a message of wisdom, and to another [the power to express] a word of knowledge {and} understanding according to the same [Holy] Spirit;

12:9  To another [wonder-working] faith by the same [Holy] Spirit, to another the extraordinary powers of healing by the one Spirit;

12:10  To another the working of miracles, to another prophetic insight (the gift of interpreting the divine will and purpose); to another the ability to discern {and} distinguish between [the utterances of true] spirits [and false ones], to another various kinds of [unknown] tongues, to another the ability to interpret [such] tongues.

12:11  All these [gifts, achievements, abilities] are inspired {and} brought to pass by one and the same [Holy] Spirit, Who apportions to each person individually [exactly] as He chooses.

12:12  For just as the body is a unity and yet has many parts, and all the parts, though many, form [only] one body, so it is with Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed One).

12:13  For by [means of the personal agency of] one [Holy] Spirit we were all, whether Jews or Greeks, slaves or free, baptized [and by baptism united together] into one body, and all made to drink of one [Holy] Spirit.

12:14  For the body does not consist of one limb {or} organ but of many.

12:15  If the foot should say, Because I am not the hand, I do not belong to the body, would it be therefore not [a part] of the body?

12:16  If the ear should say, Because I am not the eye, I do not belong to the body, would it be therefore not [a part] of the body?

12:17  If the whole body were an eye, where [would be the sense of] hearing? If the whole body were an ear, where [would be the sense of] smell?

12:18  But as it is, God has placed {and} arranged the limbs {and} organs in the body, each [particular one] of them, just as He wished {and} saw fit {and} with the best adaptation.

12:19  But if [the whole] were all a single organ, where would the body be?

12:20  And now there are [certainly] many limbs {and} organs, but a single body.

12:21  And the eye is not able to say to the hand, I have no need of you, nor again the head to the feet, I have no need of you.

12:22  But instead, there is [absolute] necessity for the parts of the body that are considered the more weak.

12:23  And those [parts] of the body which we consider rather ignoble are [the very parts] which we invest with additional honor, and our unseemly parts {and} those unsuitable for exposure are treated with seemliness (modesty and decorum),

12:24  Which our more presentable parts do not require. But God has so adjusted (mingled, harmonized, and subtly proportioned the parts of) the whole body, giving the greater honor {and} richer endowment to the inferior parts which lack [apparent importance],

12:25  So that there should be no division {or} discord {or} lack of adaptation [of the parts of the body to each other], but the members all alike should have a mutual interest in {and} care for one another.

12:26  And if one member suffers, all the parts [share] the suffering; if one member is honored, all the members [share in] the enjoyment of it.

12:27  Now you [collectively] are Christ's body and [individually] you are members of it, each part severally {and} distinct [each with his own place and function].

12:28  So God has appointed some in the church [for His own use]: first apostles (special messengers); second prophets (inspired preachers and expounders); third teachers; then wonder-workers; then those with ability to heal the sick; helpers; administrators; [speakers in] different (unknown) tongues.

12:29  Are all apostles (special messengers)? Are all prophets (inspired interpreters of the will and purposes of God)? Are all teachers? Do all have the power of performing miracles?

12:30  Do all possess extraordinary powers of healing? Do all speak with tongues? Do all interpret?

12:31  But earnestly desire {and} zealously cultivate the greatest {and} best gifts {and} graces (the higher gifts and the choicest graces). And yet I will show you a still more excellent way [one that is better by far and the highest of them all--love].