1 Corinthians 12 - Disciples’ Literal New Testament (DLNT)

Concerning Spiritual Gifts: God Distributes a Variety of Gifts For Our Mutual Benefit

12 Now concerning the spiritual gifts, brothers, I do not want you to be unaware. ² You know that when you were Gentiles^[a], you were being led-away^[b] to the speechless idols, however^[c] you were being led. ³ Therefore I make-known to you that no one speaking by the Spirit of God is saying “Jesus is^[d] accursed”. And no one is able to say “Jesus is Lord” except by the Holy Spirit. ⁴ Now there are differences^[e] of gifts^[f], but the same Spirit. ⁵ And there are differences of ministries^[g], and the same Lord. ⁶ And there are differences of things-worked^[h], but the same God working all things in all persons. ⁷ And the manifestation^[i] of ^[j] the Spirit is given to each one for our benefit. ⁸ For to one a word^[k] of ^[l] wisdom is given through the Spirit; and to another, a word of knowledge according-to^[m] the same Spirit; ⁹ to a different one, faith by the same Spirit; and to another, gifts of ^[n] healings by the one Spirit; ¹⁰ and to another, things-worked^[o] by miracles; and to another, prophecy^[p]; and to another, discernments^[q] of spirits; to a different one, kinds of tongues^[r]; and to another, interpretation^[s] of tongues. ¹¹ But the one and the same Spirit works^[t] all these things, distributing to each one individually^[u], just as He wills^[v].

For The Body of Christ Is Like The Human Body

¹² For just as the [human] body is one [body]; and it has many body-parts; and all the body-parts of the [human] body, being many, are one body; so also is Christ.^[w]

It Is One Body With One Spirit

¹³ For indeed with^[x] one Spirit, we all were baptized into one body^[y]— whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free. And we all were given one Spirit to drink.

It Has Many Body Parts Placed By God

¹⁴ For indeed the body is not one body-part, but many. ¹⁵ If the foot should say “Because I am not a hand, I am not a part of the body”, it is not for this reason not a part of the body. ¹⁶ And if the ear should say “Because I am not an eye, I am not a part of the body”, it is not for this reason not a part of the body. ¹⁷ If the whole body were an eye, where would the hearing be? If the whole were an ear, where would the smelling be? ¹⁸ But now^[z], God placed the body-parts— each one of them— in the body, just as He wanted. ¹⁹ And if all were one body-part, where would the body be?

All Body Parts Are Needed For The Healthy Functioning of The One Body

²⁰ But now, there are many body-parts— but one body! ²¹ And the eye cannot say to the hand, “I do not have need of you”. Or again the head to the feet, “I do not have need of you”. ²² On the contrary, much rather the body-parts of the body seeming to be weaker are necessary. ²³ And the things of the body which we are thinking to be more-without-honor, on these we are putting-on^[aa] more honor. Indeed our private^[ab] parts have more^[ac] presentability^[ad], ²⁴ but our presentable parts have no need^[ae]. But God blended-together the body, having given more honor to the body-part lacking, ²⁵ in order that there should not be division in the body, but that the body-parts should be having the same concern for one another. ²⁶ And if one body-part is suffering, all the body-parts are suffering-with it. If one body-part is being glorified, all the body-parts are rejoicing-with it.

You Are The Parts of Christ’s Body, Placed Where You Are By God

²⁷ And you are the body of Christ, and body-parts in part^[af]. ²⁸ And God placed some^[ag] in the church as first, apostles^[ah]; second, prophets; third, teachers; then miracles; then gifts of healings, helps, administrations, kinds of tongues. ²⁹ All are not apostles, are^[ai] they? All are not prophets, are they? All are not teachers, are they? All do not do miracles, do they? ³⁰ All do not have gifts of healings, do they? All do not speak in tongues, do they? All do not interpret, do they? ³¹ But be zealous-for^[aj] the greater gifts.

The Value of Your God-Given Gift Is Measured By Your Love

And^[ak] I show you a way still^[al] beyond measure^[am]:

Footnotes

1. 1 Corinthians 12:2 That is, non-believers.
2. 1 Corinthians 12:2 That is, by outside forces beyond your control. This is no longer so. In chapters 12-14 Paul explains how the Spirit of God is working in and through them.
3. 1 Corinthians 12:2 Or, whenever.
4. 1 Corinthians 12:3 Or, be.
5. 1 Corinthians 12:4 Or, divisions, varieties, distributions.
6. 1 Corinthians 12:4 That is, empowerments proceeding from God’s grace.
7. 1 Corinthians 12:5 That is, ways and spheres of service.
8. 1 Corinthians 12:6 Or, effects, products, results, activities. God accomplishes different things in and through us.
9. 1 Corinthians 12:7 Or, open-disclosure, public revelation.
10. 1 Corinthians 12:7 That is, given by; or, consisting of.
11. 1 Corinthians 12:8 Or, speech, saying, message, statement.
12. 1 Corinthians 12:8 That is, characterized by; or, resulting in.
13. 1 Corinthians 12:8 Or, based on, by way of.
14. 1 Corinthians 12:9 That is, resulting in; or, consisting of.
15. 1 Corinthians 12:10 Or, products of miracles. Or, workings by Him of miracles, workings of His powers. Or, results characterized by miracles, miraculous works. Verse 28 simply says ‘miracles’.
16. 1 Corinthians 12:10 That is, speaking revelation from God confirmed by supernatural knowledge of past, present or future events; or, speaking revelation from God (but without such confirmation); or, speaking for God, forthtelling, preaching.
17. 1 Corinthians 12:10 Or, distinguishings.
18. 1 Corinthians 12:10 Or, languages.
19. 1 Corinthians 12:10 Or, translation.
20. 1 Corinthians 12:11 Or, produces, effects.
21. 1 Corinthians 12:11 Or, his own.
22. 1 Corinthians 12:11 Or, wants, wishes.
23. 1 Corinthians 12:12 Paul expands on the four parts of this verse in v 13-31.
24. 1 Corinthians 12:13 Or, in, by.
25. 1 Corinthians 12:13 This is what makes the body one body.
26. 1 Corinthians 12:18 Or, But as-it-is.
27. 1 Corinthians 12:23 Such as when we put on a ring or robe or fancy shoe.
28. 1 Corinthians 12:23 Or, shameful, un-honored.
29. 1 Corinthians 12:23 That is, because we cover them with clothing.
30. 1 Corinthians 12:23 Or, decorum, decency, propriety.
31. 1 Corinthians 12:24 That is, of clothing.
32. 1 Corinthians 12:27 That is, body-parts [of it] in part; the Corinthians are part of Christ’s worldwide body. Or, in [your assigned] part. Or, partially (not the eye, but part of the eye).
33. 1 Corinthians 12:28 Paul starts to say some... others, but then combines this with first, second, in order to rank the gifts.
34. 1 Corinthians 12:28 Or, sent ones, official representatives or messengers. That is, the twelve (or so) sent personally by Christ; or more broadly, ones sent out by churches.
35. 1 Corinthians 12:29 The grammar of all these questions expects a ‘no’ answer.
36. 1 Corinthians 12:31 The Spirit gives gifts as He wills. But since we do not know the works God has prepared for us (Eph 2:10), we should aim to be of maximum value to the body.
37. 1 Corinthians 12:31 Having completed his main explanation of gifts, Paul now puts them in a broader context.
38. 1 Corinthians 12:31 Or, And furthermore, I show you a way beyond measure.
39. 1 Corinthians 12:31 While some gifts are greater than others in edification value, love is beyond measure. God gives gifts; God is love.