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]. |