A row of small clay oil lamps along a stone ledge at dusk, each one lit, the flame passed from one to the next.

The Book of

1 Corinthians 12

The Corinthians were proud of their gifts and divided by them. Paul shows them one Spirit, one Lord, one God, and one body.

31 verses≈ 5 minBSB

Images are artistic interpretations.

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Where we are

1–4DivisionsChrist crucified, not rival leaders
5–6A holy peopleDiscipline, lawsuits and the body
7–10Your questionsMarriage, food and freedom
11–14Worship togetherThe Supper, gifts and loveChapter 12
15–16Raised with ChristResurrection hope; the collection

Spiritual Gifts

Now about spiritual gifts, brothers, I do not want you to be uninformed. You know that when you were pagans, you were influenced and led astray to mute idols.

Tap to go deeper: meaning, history and related Scripture

no one can say, “Jesus is Lord,” except by the Holy Spirit.

1 Corinthians 12:3

There are different gifts, but the same Spirit. There are different ministries, but the same Lord. There are different ways of working, but the same God works all things in all people.

Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good.

1 Corinthians 12:7

To one there is given through the Spirit the message of wisdom, to another the message of knowledge by the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in various tongues, and to still another the interpretation of tongues. All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, who apportions them to each one as He determines.

The same Spirit

Whiteboard

Paul answers the Corinthians’ pride with three pairs. The gifts, the ministries and the ways of working are many, but behind them stand the same Spirit, the same Lord and the same God. Then come the gifts themselves: wisdom, knowledge, faith, healing, miracles, prophecy, distinguishing between spirits, tongues and their interpretation. None of them is a badge of rank. Each is given “for the common good,” by the one Spirit, “as He determines.”

Question

Quick question

The Corinthians were treating some gifts as signs of who was most spiritual. Paul points them to the reason the gifts are given at all.

What does Paul say the manifestation of the Spirit is given for?

The Body of Christ

1 Corinthians 12:12

For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, slave or free, and we were all given one Spirit to drink.

Paul

and the parts we consider less honorable, we treat with greater honor. And our unpresentable parts are treated with special modesty, whereas our presentable parts have no such need.

A crowded house-church meal by lamplight, many people seen from behind sitting close together around low tables.

But God has composed the body and has given greater honor to the parts that lacked it,

so that there should be no division in the body, but that its members should have mutual concern for one another. If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it.

0:23

Narrated by Bob Souer · BSB audio, public domain

Reflect

Every part matters

Paul says the parts that seem weaker are “indispensable,” and that the members should have “mutual concern for one another.” Think of one believer you know who is struggling, or who is easy to overlook. What would it look like to suffer with them, or to rejoice with them, this week? Write down their name and one thing you will do.

The Greater Gifts

Now you are the body of Christ, and each of you is a member of it.

1 Corinthians 12:27

And in the church God has appointed first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then workers of miracles, and those with gifts of healing, helping, administration, and various tongues. Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles? Do all have gifts of healing? Do all speak in tongues? Do all interpret? But eagerly desire the greater gifts.

And now I will show you the most excellent way.

1 Corinthians 12:31

Pray

One body

Thank God that you belong to the body of Christ, and that the same Spirit lives in every believer. Ask Him to show you the part He has given you to play, and to free you from envying others or looking down on them. Pray for the believers near you who are suffering, and for those who are honored, that the whole church would grow together in love.

You’ve experienced

1 Corinthians 12

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A verse to carry with you

Now you are the body of Christ, and each of you is a member of it.

1 Corinthians 12:27

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