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

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.

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.

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.

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

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

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;

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

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.

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).

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.

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

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?

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?

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

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

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

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

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),

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,

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.

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

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

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.

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?

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

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.