1 N ow concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I would not have you ignorant.

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

2 Y e know that ye were Gentiles, carried away unto these dumb idols, even as ye were led.

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

3 W herefore I give you to understand, that no man speaking by the Spirit of God calleth Jesus accursed: and that no man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost.

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 diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit.

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

5 A nd there are differences of administrations, but 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 diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh 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 the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal.

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

8 F or to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by 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 faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same 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 prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of 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 B ut all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will.

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 as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ.

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 one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into 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 is not one member, but many.

The body is not one part, but many parts.

15 I f the foot shall say, Because I am not the hand, I am not of the body; is it 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 A nd if the ear shall say, Because I am not the eye, I am not of the body; is it 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 were the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where were the smelling?

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 now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him.

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

19 A nd if they were all one member, where were the body?

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

20 B ut now are they many members, yet but one body.

But now there are many parts, but one body.

21 A nd the eye cannot say unto the hand, I have no need of thee: 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 N ay, much more those members of the body, which seem to be more feeble, are necessary:

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

23 A nd those members of the body, which we think to be less honourable, upon these we bestow more abundant honour; and our uncomely parts have more abundant comeliness.

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 F or our comely parts have no need: but God hath tempered the body together, having given more abundant honour to that part which lacked.

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 T hat there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another.

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

26 A nd whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it; or one member be honoured, all the members rejoice with 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 ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular.

You are all a part of the body of Christ.

28 A nd God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of 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? are all prophets? are all teachers? are all workers of 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 H ave all the gifts 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 covet earnestly the best gifts: and yet shew I unto you a more excellent way.

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