The Use of Spiritual Gifts

12 Now concerning (A)spiritual gifts, brothers and sisters, (B)I do not want you to be unaware. (C)You know that when you were [a]pagans, you were (D)led [b]astray to the (E)mute idols, however you were led. Therefore I make known to you that no one speaking [c](F)by the Spirit of God says, “Jesus is [d](G)accursed”; and no one can say, “Jesus is (H)Lord,” except [e](I)by the Holy Spirit.

Now there are (J)varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit. And there are varieties of ministries, and the same Lord. There are varieties of effects, but the same (K)God who works all things in all persons. But to each one is given the manifestation of the Spirit (L)for the common good. For to one is given the word of (M)wisdom through the Spirit, and to another the word of (N)knowledge according to the same Spirit; to another (O)faith [f]by the same Spirit, and to another (P)gifts of [g]healing [h]by the one Spirit, 10 and to another the [i]effecting of [j](Q)miracles, and to another (R)prophecy, and to another the [k](S)distinguishing of spirits, to another various (T)kinds of tongues, and to another the (U)interpretation of tongues. 11 But one and the same Spirit works all these things, (V)distributing to each one individually just as He [l]wills.

12 For just (W)as the body is one and yet has many parts, and all the parts of the body, though they are many, are one body, (X)so also is Christ. 13 For [m](Y)by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body, whether (Z)Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free, and we were all made to (AA)drink of one Spirit.

14 For (AB)the body is not one part, but many. 15 If the foot says, “Because I am not a hand, I am not a part of the body,” it is not for this reason [n]any less a part of the body. 16 And if the ear says, “Because I am not an eye, I am not a part of the body,” it is not for this reason [o]any less a part of the body. 17 If the whole body were an eye, where would the hearing be? If the whole body were hearing, where would the sense of smell be? 18 But now God has (AC)arranged the parts, each one of them in the body, (AD)just as He desired. 19 If they were all one part, where would the body be? 20 But now (AE)there are many parts, but one body. 21 And the eye cannot say to the hand, “I have no need of you”; or again, the head to the feet, “I have no need of you.” 22 On the contrary, [p]it is much truer that the parts of the body which seem to be weaker are necessary; 23 and those parts of the body which we [q]consider less honorable, [r]on these we bestow greater honor, and our less presentable parts become much more presentable, 24 whereas our more presentable parts have no need of it. But God has so composed the body, giving more abundant honor to that part which lacked, 25 so that there may be no [s]division in the body, but that the parts may have the same care for one another. 26 And if one part of the body suffers, all the parts suffer with it; if a part is [t]honored, all the parts rejoice with it.

27 Now you are (AF)Christ’s body, and (AG)individually parts of it. 28 And God has [u](AH)appointed in (AI)the church, first (AJ)apostles, second (AK)prophets, third (AL)teachers, then [v](AM)miracles, then (AN)gifts of healings, helps, (AO)administrations, and various (AP)kinds of tongues. 29 All are not apostles, are they? All are not prophets, are they? All are not teachers, are they? All are not workers of [w]miracles, are they? 30 All do not have gifts of healings, do they? All do not speak with tongues, do they? All do not (AQ)interpret, do they? 31 But (AR)earnestly desire the greater gifts.

And yet, I am going to show you a far better way.

The Excellence of Love

13 If I speak with the (AS)tongues of mankind and of (AT)angels, but do not have love, I have become a noisy gong or a (AU)clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of (AV)prophecy and know all (AW)mysteries and all (AX)knowledge, and if I have (AY)all faith so as to (AZ)remove mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. And if I (BA)give away all my possessions to charity, and if I (BB)surrender my body so that I may [x]glory, but do not have love, it does me no good.

Love (BC)is patient, love is kind, it (BD)is not jealous; love does not brag, it is not (BE)arrogant. It does not act disgracefully, it (BF)does not seek its own benefit; it is not provoked, (BG)does not keep an account of a wrong suffered, (BH)it does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but (BI)rejoices with the truth; it [y](BJ)keeps every confidence, it believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.

Love never fails; but if there are gifts of [z](BK)prophecy, they will be done away with; if there are (BL)tongues, they will cease; if there is knowledge, it will be done away with. For we (BM)know in part and prophesy in part; 10 but when the perfect comes, the partial will be done away with. 11 When I was a child, I used to speak like a child, think like a child, reason like a child; when I [aa]became a man, I did away with childish things. 12 For now we (BN)see in a mirror [ab]dimly, but then (BO)face to face; now I know in part, but then I will know fully, just as I also (BP)have been fully known. 13 But now faith, hope, and love remain, these three; but the [ac]greatest of these is (BQ)love.

Prophecy a Superior Gift

14 (BR)Pursue love, yet earnestly (BS)desire (BT)spiritual gifts, but especially that you may (BU)prophesy. For the one who (BV)speaks in a tongue does not speak to people, but to God; for no one [ad]understands, but [ae]in his spirit he speaks (BW)mysteries. But the one who prophesies speaks to people for (BX)edification, [af](BY)exhortation, and consolation. The one who (BZ)speaks in a tongue (CA)edifies himself; but the one who (CB)prophesies (CC)edifies the church. Now I wish that you all (CD)spoke in tongues, but (CE)rather that you would prophesy; and greater is the one who prophesies than the one who (CF)speaks in tongues, unless he interprets, so that the church may receive (CG)edification.

But now, brothers and sisters, if I come to you speaking in tongues, how will I benefit you unless I speak to you either by way of (CH)revelation, or of (CI)knowledge, or of (CJ)prophecy, or of (CK)teaching? Yet even lifeless instruments, whether flute or harp, in producing a sound, if they do not produce a distinction in the tones, how will it be known what is played on the flute or on the harp? For if (CL)the trumpet produces an indistinct sound, who will prepare himself for battle? So you too, unless you produce intelligible speech by the tongue, how will it be known what is spoken? For you will just be (CM)talking to the air. 10 There are, perhaps, a great many kinds of [ag]languages in the world, and none is incapable of meaning. 11 So if I do not know the meaning of the language, I will be (CN)unintelligible to the one who speaks, and the one who speaks will be unintelligible [ah]to me. 12 So you too, since you are eager to possess [ai]spiritual gifts, strive to excel for the (CO)edification of the church.

13 Therefore, one who speaks in a tongue is to pray that he may interpret. 14 For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my mind is unproductive. 15 (CP)What is the outcome then? I will pray with the spirit, but I will pray with the mind also; I will (CQ)sing with the spirit, but I will sing with the mind also. 16 For otherwise, if you bless God [aj]in the spirit only, how will the one who occupies the place of the [ak]outsider know to say (CR)the “Amen” at your (CS)giving of thanks, since he does not understand what you are saying? 17 For you are giving thanks well enough, but the other person is not (CT)edified. 18 I thank God, I speak in tongues more than you all; 19 nevertheless, in church I prefer to speak five words with my mind so that I may instruct others also, rather than ten thousand words in a tongue.

Instruction for the Church

20 (CU)Brothers and sisters, (CV)do not be children in your thinking; yet in evil (CW)be infants, but in your thinking be mature. 21 In (CX)the [al]Law it is written: “(CY)By men of strange tongues and by the lips of strangers I will speak to this people, and even so they will not listen to Me,” says the Lord. 22 So then, tongues are for a sign, not to those who believe but to unbelievers; but (CZ)prophecy is not for unbelievers, but for those who believe. 23 Therefore if the whole church gathers together and all the people speak in tongues, and [am]outsiders or unbelievers enter, will they not say that (DA)you are insane? 24 But if all (DB)prophesy, and an unbeliever or an [an]outsider enters, he is (DC)convicted by all, he is called to account by all; 25 (DD)the secrets of his heart are disclosed; and so he will (DE)fall on his face and worship God, (DF)declaring that God is certainly among you.

26 (DG)What is the outcome then, (DH)brothers and sisters? When you assemble, (DI)each one has a (DJ)psalm, has a (DK)teaching, has a (DL)revelation, has a (DM)tongue, has an (DN)interpretation. (DO)All things are to be done for edification. 27 If anyone speaks in a (DP)tongue, it must be by two or at the most three, and each one in turn, and one is to (DQ)interpret; 28 but if there is no interpreter, he is to keep silent in church; and have him speak to himself and to God. 29 Have two or three (DR)prophets speak, and have the others (DS)pass judgment. 30 But if a revelation is made to another who is seated, then the first one is to keep silent. 31 For you can all prophesy one by one, so that all may learn and all may be [ao]exhorted; 32 and the spirits of prophets are subject to prophets; 33 for God is not a God of (DT)confusion, but of peace.

As in (DU)all the churches of the [ap](DV)saints, 34 the women are to (DW)keep silent in the churches; for they are not permitted to speak, but (DX)are to subject themselves, just as (DY)the Law also says. 35 If they desire to learn anything, let them ask their own husbands at home; for it is [aq]improper for a woman to speak in church. 36 Or was it from you that the word of God first went out? Or has it come to you only?

37 (DZ)If anyone thinks that he is a prophet or (EA)spiritual, let him recognize that the things which I write to you (EB)are the Lord’s commandment. 38 But if anyone does not recognize this, [ar]he is not recognized.

39 Therefore, my brothers and sisters, (EC)earnestly desire to (ED)prophesy, and do not forbid speaking in tongues. 40 But (EE)all things must be done properly and in an orderly way.

The Fact of Christ’s Resurrection

15 Now (EF)I make known to you, brothers and sisters, the (EG)gospel which I preached to you, which you also received, (EH)in which you also stand, by which you also are saved, (EI)if you hold firmly to [as]the word which I preached to you, (EJ)unless you believed in vain.

For (EK)I handed down to you [at]as of first importance what I also received, that Christ died (EL)for our sins (EM)according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He was (EN)raised on the third day (EO)according to the Scriptures, and that (EP)He appeared to [au](EQ)Cephas, then (ER)to the twelve. After that He appeared to more than five hundred brothers and sisters at one time, most of whom remain until now, but some (ES)have fallen asleep; then He appeared to [av](ET)James, then to (EU)all the apostles; and last of all, as [aw]to one untimely born, (EV)He appeared to me also. For I am (EW)the least of the apostles, [ax]and not fit to be called an apostle, because I (EX)persecuted the church of God. 10 But by (EY)the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace toward me did not prove vain; but I (EZ)labored even more than all of them, yet (FA)not I, but the grace of God with me. 11 Whether then it was I or they, so we preach and so you believed.

12 Now if Christ is preached, that He has been raised from the dead, how do some among you say that there (FB)is no resurrection of the dead? 13 But if there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised; 14 and (FC)if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is in vain, your faith also is in vain. 15 Moreover, we are even found to be false witnesses of God, because we testified [ay]against God that He (FD)raised [az]Christ, whom He did not raise, if in fact the dead are not raised. 16 For if the dead are not raised, then not even Christ has been raised; 17 and if Christ has not been raised, your faith is worthless; (FE)you are still in your sins. 18 Then also those who (FF)have fallen asleep in Christ have perished. 19 If we have hoped in Christ only in this life, we are (FG)of all people most to be pitied.

The Order of Resurrection

20 But the fact is, Christ (FH)has been raised from the dead, the (FI)first fruits of those who (FJ)are asleep. 21 For since (FK)by a man death came, by a man also came the resurrection of the dead. 22 For (FL)as in Adam all die, so also in [ba]Christ all will be made alive. 23 But each in his own order: Christ (FM)the first fruits, after that (FN)those who are Christ’s at (FO)His coming, 24 then comes the end, when He hands over (FP)the kingdom to our (FQ)God and Father, when He has abolished (FR)all rule and all authority and power. 25 For He must reign (FS)until He has put all His enemies under His feet. 26 The last enemy that will be (FT)abolished is death. 27 For (FU)He has put all things in subjection under His feet. But when He says, “(FV)All things are put in subjection,” it is clear that [bb]this excludes the Father who put all things in subjection to Him. 28 When (FW)all things are subjected to Him, then the Son Himself will also be subjected to the One who subjected all things to Him, so that (FX)God may be all in all.

29 For otherwise, what will those do who are baptized [bc]for the dead? If the dead are not raised at all, why then are they baptized [bd]for them? 30 Why are we also (FY)in danger every hour? 31 I affirm, brothers and sisters, by the boasting in you which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, that (FZ)I die daily. 32 If [be]from human motives I (GA)fought with wild beasts at (GB)Ephesus, what good is it to me? If the dead are not raised, (GC)lets eat and drink, for tomorrow we die. 33 (GD)Do not be deceived: “Bad company corrupts good morals.” 34 (GE)Sober up [bf]morally and stop sinning, for some have (GF)no knowledge of God. (GG)I say this to your shame.

35 But (GH)someone will say, “How are (GI)the dead raised? And with what kind of body do they come?” 36 (GJ)You fool! That which you (GK)sow does not come to life unless it dies; 37 and that which you sow, you do not sow the body which is to be, but a bare grain, perhaps of wheat or of [bg]something else. 38 But God gives it a body just as He wished, and (GL)to each of the seeds a body of its own. 39 All flesh is not the same flesh, but there is one flesh of mankind, another flesh of animals, another flesh of birds, and another of fish. 40 There are also heavenly bodies and earthly bodies, but the glory of the heavenly is one, and the glory of the earthly is another. 41 There is one glory of the sun, another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars; for star differs from star in glory.

42 (GM)So also is the resurrection of the dead. It is sown [bh](GN)a perishable body, it is raised [bi](GO)an imperishable body; 43 it is sown in dishonor, it is raised in (GP)glory; it is sown in weakness, it is raised in power; 44 it is sown a (GQ)natural body, it is raised a (GR)spiritual body. If there is a natural body, there is also a spiritual body. 45 So also it is written: “The first (GS)man, Adam, became a living [bj]person.” The (GT)last Adam was a (GU)life-giving spirit. 46 However, the spiritual is not first, but the natural; then the spiritual. 47 The first man is (GV)from the earth, [bk](GW)earthy; the second man is from heaven. 48 As is the earthy one, so also are those who are earthy; and as is the heavenly one, (GX)so also are those who are heavenly. 49 Just as we have (GY)borne the image of the earthy, [bl]we (GZ)will also bear the image of the heavenly.

The Mystery of Resurrection

50 Now I say this, brothers and sisters, that (HA)flesh and blood cannot (HB)inherit the kingdom of God; nor does [bm]the perishable inherit [bn](HC)the imperishable. 51 Behold, I am telling you a [bo](HD)mystery; we will not all sleep, but we will all be (HE)changed, 52 in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet; for (HF)the trumpet will sound, and (HG)the dead will be raised [bp]imperishable, and (HH)we will be changed. 53 For this [bq]perishable must put on [br](HI)the imperishable, and this (HJ)mortal must put on immortality. 54 But when this [bs]perishable puts on [bt]the imperishable, and this mortal puts on immortality, then will come about the saying that is written: “(HK)Death has been swallowed up in victory. 55 (HL)Where, O Death, is your victory? Where, O Death, is your sting?” 56 The sting of (HM)death is sin, and (HN)the power of sin is the Law; 57 but (HO)thanks be to God, who gives us the (HP)victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

58 (HQ)Therefore, my beloved brothers and sisters, be firm, immovable, always excelling in (HR)the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.

Instructions and Greetings

16 Now concerning (HS)the collection for [bu](HT)the saints, as (HU)I directed the churches of (HV)Galatia, so you are to do as well. On (HW)the first day of every week, each of you is to [bv]put aside and save as he may prosper, so that (HX)no collections need to be made when I come. When I arrive, (HY)whomever you approve, I will send them with letters to take your gift to Jerusalem; and if it is appropriate for me to go also, they will go with me.

But I (HZ)will come to you after I go through (IA)Macedonia; for I (IB)am going through Macedonia, and perhaps I will stay with you or even spend the winter, so that you may (IC)send me on my way wherever I go. For I do not want to see you now (ID)just in passing; for I hope to remain with you for some time, (IE)if the Lord permits. But I will remain in (IF)Ephesus until (IG)Pentecost; for a (IH)wide door [bw]for effective service has opened to me, and (II)there are many adversaries.

10 Now if (IJ)Timothy comes, see that he [bx]has no reason to be afraid while among you, for he is doing (IK)the Lord’s work, as I also am. 11 (IL)So do not look down on him, anyone. But (IM)send him on his way (IN)in peace, so that he may come to me; for I expect him with the brothers.

12 Now concerning our brother (IO)Apollos, I strongly encouraged him to come to you with the brothers; and it was not at all his desire to come now, but he will come when he has the opportunity.

13 (IP)Be on the alert, (IQ)stand firm in the faith, (IR)act like men, (IS)be strong. 14 All that you do must be done (IT)in love.

15 Now I urge you, brothers and sisters: you know the (IU)household of Stephanas, that [by]they are the (IV)first fruits of (IW)Achaia, and that they have devoted themselves to (IX)ministry to (IY)the [bz]saints; 16 I urge that (IZ)you also be subject to such as these and to everyone who helps in the work and labors. 17 I rejoice over the [ca](JA)coming of Stephanas, Fortunatus, and Achaicus, because they have [cb]supplied (JB)what was lacking on your part. 18 For they (JC)have refreshed my spirit and yours. Therefore (JD)acknowledge such men.

19 The churches of [cc](JE)Asia greet you. (JF)Aquila and Prisca greet you heartily in the Lord, with (JG)the church that is in their house. 20 All the brothers and sisters greet you. (JH)Greet one another with a holy kiss.

21 The greeting is in (JI)my own hand—that of Paul. 22 If anyone does not love the Lord, he is to be [cd](JJ)accursed. [ce](JK)Maranatha! 23 (JL)The grace of the Lord Jesus be with you. 24 My love be with you all in Christ Jesus. Amen.

Footnotes

  1. 1 Corinthians 12:2 Lit Gentiles; i.e., mainly Greeks and Romans, traditionally polytheistic
  2. 1 Corinthians 12:2 Or away
  3. 1 Corinthians 12:3 Or in
  4. 1 Corinthians 12:3 Gr anathema
  5. 1 Corinthians 12:3 Or in
  6. 1 Corinthians 12:9 Or in
  7. 1 Corinthians 12:9 Lit healings
  8. 1 Corinthians 12:9 Or in
  9. 1 Corinthians 12:10 Lit effects
  10. 1 Corinthians 12:10 Or works of power
  11. 1 Corinthians 12:10 Lit distinguishings
  12. 1 Corinthians 12:11 Or intends
  13. 1 Corinthians 12:13 Or in
  14. 1 Corinthians 12:15 Lit not a part
  15. 1 Corinthians 12:16 Lit not a part
  16. 1 Corinthians 12:22 Lit to a much greater degree the parts
  17. 1 Corinthians 12:23 Or think to be
  18. 1 Corinthians 12:23 Or these we clothe with
  19. 1 Corinthians 12:25 Or dissension
  20. 1 Corinthians 12:26 Lit glorified
  21. 1 Corinthians 12:28 Lit set some in
  22. 1 Corinthians 12:28 Or works of power
  23. 1 Corinthians 12:29 Or works of power
  24. 1 Corinthians 13:3 I.e., in martyrdom
  25. 1 Corinthians 13:7 Lit covers all things
  26. 1 Corinthians 13:8 Lit prophecies
  27. 1 Corinthians 13:11 Lit have become...have done away with
  28. 1 Corinthians 13:12 Lit in a riddle
  29. 1 Corinthians 13:13 Lit greater
  30. 1 Corinthians 14:2 Lit hears
  31. 1 Corinthians 14:2 Or by the Spirit
  32. 1 Corinthians 14:3 Or encouragement
  33. 1 Corinthians 14:10 Lit voices
  34. 1 Corinthians 14:11 Or in my estimation
  35. 1 Corinthians 14:12 Lit spirits
  36. 1 Corinthians 14:16 Or with the
  37. 1 Corinthians 14:16 Lit private person
  38. 1 Corinthians 14:21 I.e., Old Testament, Isaiah
  39. 1 Corinthians 14:23 See note 2 v 16
  40. 1 Corinthians 14:24 See note 2 v 16
  41. 1 Corinthians 14:31 Or encouraged
  42. 1 Corinthians 14:33 I.e., God’s people
  43. 1 Corinthians 14:35 Or disgraceful
  44. 1 Corinthians 14:38 Two early mss let him continue not to recognize it
  45. 1 Corinthians 15:2 Lit to what word I
  46. 1 Corinthians 15:3 Lit among the first
  47. 1 Corinthians 15:5 Peter’s Aramaic name
  48. 1 Corinthians 15:7 Or Jacob
  49. 1 Corinthians 15:8 Lit to an untimely birth
  50. 1 Corinthians 15:9 Lit who am
  51. 1 Corinthians 15:15 Or concerning
  52. 1 Corinthians 15:15 I.e., the Messiah
  53. 1 Corinthians 15:22 I.e., the Messiah
  54. 1 Corinthians 15:27 Lit except the
  55. 1 Corinthians 15:29 Or in behalf of
  56. 1 Corinthians 15:29 Or in behalf of
  57. 1 Corinthians 15:32 Lit according to man
  58. 1 Corinthians 15:34 Lit righteously
  59. 1 Corinthians 15:37 Lit some of the rest
  60. 1 Corinthians 15:42 Lit in corruption
  61. 1 Corinthians 15:42 Lit in incorruption
  62. 1 Corinthians 15:45 Or soul
  63. 1 Corinthians 15:47 Or made of dust, and so throughout the ch
  64. 1 Corinthians 15:49 Two early mss let’s also
  65. 1 Corinthians 15:50 Lit corruption
  66. 1 Corinthians 15:50 Lit incorruption
  67. 1 Corinthians 15:51 Or secret
  68. 1 Corinthians 15:52 Lit incorruptible
  69. 1 Corinthians 15:53 Lit corruptible
  70. 1 Corinthians 15:53 Lit incorruption
  71. 1 Corinthians 15:54 Lit corruptible
  72. 1 Corinthians 15:54 Lit incorruption
  73. 1 Corinthians 16:1 I.e., the Christians in Jerusalem
  74. 1 Corinthians 16:2 Lit put with himself
  75. 1 Corinthians 16:9 Lit and effective
  76. 1 Corinthians 16:10 Lit is with you without reason to fear
  77. 1 Corinthians 16:15 Lit it is
  78. 1 Corinthians 16:15 Lit holy ones; i.e., God’s people
  79. 1 Corinthians 16:17 Or presence
  80. 1 Corinthians 16:17 Or made up for your absence
  81. 1 Corinthians 16:19 I.e., west coast province of Asia Minor
  82. 1 Corinthians 16:22 Gr anathema
  83. 1 Corinthians 16:22 Aramaic [Our] Lord, come!

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