1 N ow about the spiritual gifts (the special endowments of supernatural energy), brethren, I do not want you to be misinformed.

Christian brothers, I want you to know about the gifts of the Holy Spirit. You need to understand the truth about this.

2 Y ou know that when you were heathen, you were led off after idols that could not speak as impulse directed and whenever the occasion might arise.

You know that before you were Christians you were led to worship false gods. None of these gods could speak.

3 T herefore I want you to understand that no one speaking under the power and influence of the Spirit of God can say, Jesus be cursed! And no one can say, Jesus is Lord, except by and under the power and influence of the Holy Spirit.

So I tell you that no one speaking by the help of the Holy Spirit can say that he hates Jesus. No one can say, “Jesus is Lord,” except by the help of the Holy Spirit. The Kinds of Gifts

4 N ow 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 Spirit remains the same.

There are different kinds of gifts. But it is the same Holy Spirit Who gives them.

5 A nd there are distinctive varieties of service and ministration, but it is the same Lord.

There are different kinds of work to be done for Him. But the work is for the same Lord.

6 A nd there are distinctive varieties of operation, but it is the same God Who inspires and energizes them all in all.

There are different ways of doing His work. But it is the same God who uses all these ways in all people.

7 B ut to each one is given the manifestation of the Spirit for good and profit.

The Holy Spirit works in each person in one way or another for the good of all.

8 T o one is given in and through the Spirit a message of wisdom, and to another a word of knowledge and understanding according to the same Spirit;

One person is given the gift of teaching words of wisdom. Another person is given the gift of teaching what he has learned and knows. These gifts are by the same Holy Spirit.

9 T o another '> wonder-working] faith by the same Spirit, to another the extraordinary powers of healing by the one Spirit;

One person receives the gift of faith. Another person receives the gifts of healing. These gifts are given by the same Holy Spirit.

10 T o 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 spirits, to another various kinds of tongues, to another the ability to interpret tongues.

One person is given the gift of doing powerful works. Another person is given the gift of speaking God’s Word. Another person is given the gift of telling the difference between the Holy Spirit and false spirits. Another person is given the gift of speaking in special sounds. Another person is given the gift of telling what these special sounds mean.

11 A ll these are inspired and brought to pass by one and the same Spirit, Who apportions to each person individually as He chooses.

But it is the same Holy Spirit, the Spirit of God, Who does all these things. He gives to each person as He wants to give. Our Body Is Like the Body of Christ

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

Our own body has many parts. When all these many parts are put together, they are only one body. The body of Christ is like this.

13 F or by '> means of the personal agency of] one Spirit we were all, whether Jews or Greeks, slaves or free, baptized '> by baptism united together] into one body, and all made to drink of one Spirit.

It is the same way with us. Jews or those who are not Jews, men who are owned by someone or men who are free to do what they want to do, have all been baptized into the one body by the same Holy Spirit. We have all received the one Spirit.

14 F or the body does not consist of one limb or organ but of many.

The body is not one part, but many parts.

15 I f the foot should say, Because I am not the hand, I do not belong to the body, would it be therefore not of the body?

If the foot should say, “I am not a part of the body because I am not a hand,” that would not stop it from being a part of the body.

16 I f the ear should say, Because I am not the eye, I do not belong to the body, would it be therefore not of the body?

If the ear should say, “I am not a part of the body because I am not an eye,” that would not stop it from being a part of the body.

17 I f the whole body were an eye, where hearing? If the whole body were an ear, where smell?

If the whole body were an eye how would it hear? If the whole body were an ear, how would it smell?

18 B ut as it is, God has placed and arranged the limbs and organs in the body, each of them, just as He wished and saw fit and with the best adaptation.

But God has put all the parts into the body just as He wants to have them.

19 B ut if were all a single organ, where would the body be?

If all the parts were the same, it could not be a body.

20 A nd now there are many limbs and organs, but a single body.

But now there are many parts, but one body.

21 A nd 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.

The eye cannot say to the hand, “I do not need you.” Or the head cannot say to the feet, “I do not need you.”

22 B ut instead, there is necessity for the parts of the body that are considered the more weak.

Some of the parts we think are weak and not important are very important.

23 A nd those of the body which we consider rather ignoble are which we invest with additional honor, and our unseemly parts and those unsuitable for exposure are treated with seemliness (modesty and decorum),

We take good care of and cover with clothes the parts of the body that look less important. The parts which do not look beautiful have an important work to do.

24 W hich 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,

The parts that can be seen do not need as much care. God has made the body so more care is given to the parts that need it most.

25 S o that there should be no division or discord or lack of adaptation, but the members all alike should have a mutual interest in and care for one another.

This is so the body will not be divided into parts. All the parts care for each other.

26 A nd if one member suffers, all the parts the suffering; if one member is honored, all the members the enjoyment of it.

If one part of the body suffers, all the other parts suffer with it. If one part is given special care, the other parts are happy. The Body of Christ

27 N ow you are Christ’s body and you are members of it, each part severally and distinct.

You are all a part of the body of Christ.

28 S o 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; different (unknown) tongues.

God has chosen different ones in the church to do His work. First, there are missionaries. Second, there are preachers or those who speak for God. And third, there are teachers. He has also chosen those who do powerful works and those who have the gifts of healing. And He has chosen those who help others who are in need and those who are able to lead others in work and those who speak in special sounds.

29 A re 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?

Are they all missionaries? No. Are they all preachers or those who speak for God? No. Do they all do powerful works? No.

30 D o all possess extraordinary powers of healing? Do all speak with tongues? Do all interpret?

Do they all have the gifts of healing? No. Do they all speak in special sounds? No. Are they all able to tell what the special sounds mean? No.

31 B ut 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.

But from your heart you should want the best gifts. Now I will show you even a better way.