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1 Corinthians 12-14
Disciples’ Literal New Testament

Concerning Spiritual Gifts: God Distributes a Variety of Gifts For Our Mutual Benefit

12 Now concerning the spiritual gifts, brothers, I do not want you to be unaware. 2 You know that when you were Gentiles[a], you were being led-away[b] to the speechless idols, however[c] you were being led. 3 Therefore I make-known to you that no one speaking by the Spirit of God is saying “Jesus is[d] accursed”. And no one is able to say “Jesus is Lord” except by the Holy Spirit. 4 Now there are differences[e] of gifts[f], but the same Spirit. 5 And there are differences of ministries[g], and the same Lord. 6 And there are differences of things-worked[h], but the same God working all things in all persons. 7 And the manifestation[i] of [j] the Spirit is given to each one for our benefit. 8 For to one a word[k] of [l] wisdom is given through the Spirit; and to another, a word of knowledge according-to[m] the same Spirit; 9 to a different one, faith by the same Spirit; and to another, gifts of [n] healings by the one Spirit; 10 and to another, things-worked[o] by miracles; and to another, prophecy[p]; and to another, discernments[q] of spirits; to a different one, kinds of tongues[r]; and to another, interpretation[s] of tongues. 11 But the one and the same Spirit works[t] all these things, distributing to each one individually[u], just as He wills[v].

For The Body of Christ Is Like The Human Body

12 For just as the [human] body is one [body]; and it has many body-parts; and all the body-parts of the [human] body, being many, are one body; so also is Christ.[w]

It Is One Body With One Spirit

13 For indeed with[x] one Spirit, we all were baptized into one body[y]— whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free. And we all were given one Spirit to drink.

It Has Many Body Parts Placed By God

14 For indeed the body is not one body-part, but many. 15 If the foot should say “Because I am not a hand, I am not a part of the body”, it is not for this reason not a part of the body. 16 And if the ear should say “Because I am not an eye, I am not a part of the body”, it is not for this reason not a part of the body. 17 If the whole body were an eye, where would the hearing be? If the whole were an ear, where would the smelling be? 18 But now[z], God placed the body-parts— each one of them— in the body, just as He wanted. 19 And if all were one body-part, where would the body be?

All Body Parts Are Needed For The Healthy Functioning of The One Body

20 But now, there are many body-parts— but one body! 21 And the eye cannot say to the hand, “I do not have need of you”. Or again the head to the feet, “I do not have need of you”. 22 On the contrary, much rather the body-parts of the body seeming to be weaker are necessary. 23 And the things of the body which we are thinking to be more-without-honor, on these we are putting-on[aa] more honor. Indeed our private[ab] parts have more[ac] presentability[ad], 24 but our presentable parts have no need[ae]. But God blended-together the body, having given more honor to the body-part lacking, 25 in order that there should not be division in the body, but that the body-parts should be having the same concern for one another. 26 And if one body-part is suffering, all the body-parts are suffering-with it. If one body-part is being glorified, all the body-parts are rejoicing-with it.

You Are The Parts of Christ’s Body, Placed Where You Are By God

27 And you are the body of Christ, and body-parts in part[af]. 28 And God placed some[ag] in the church as first, apostles[ah]; second, prophets; third, teachers; then miracles; then gifts of healings, helps, administrations, kinds of tongues. 29 All are not apostles, are[ai] they? All are not prophets, are they? All are not teachers, are they? All do not do miracles, do they? 30 All do not have gifts of healings, do they? All do not speak in tongues, do they? All do not interpret, do they? 31 But be zealous-for[aj] the greater gifts.

The Value of Your God-Given Gift Is Measured By Your Love

And[ak] I show you a way still[al] beyond measure[am]: 13 1 If I speak in the tongues of humans and of angels, but I do not have love, I have become a sounding brass [gong] or a clanging cymbal. 2 And if I have prophecy and know all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith so as to remove mountains, but I do not have love, I am nothing. 3 And if I dole-out[an] all my possessions, and if I hand-over[ao] my body so that I may boast[ap], but I do not have love, I am profited nothing.

The Way Love Behaves

4 Love is patient. Love shows-kindness. Love does not envy[aq], does not brag, is not puffed-up, 5 does not behave-dishonorably[ar], does not seek its own things, is not provoked[as], does not count[at] the bad, 6 does not rejoice over unrighteousness, but rejoices-with the truth, 7 bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.

Love Is Permanent; Gifts Are Temporary. Be Pursuing Love

8 Love never fails. But if there are prophecies, they will be set-aside[au]. If there are tongues, they will cease[av]. If there is knowledge, it will be set-aside. 9 For we know in part, and we prophesy in part— 10 but when the complete[aw] thing comes, the thing in part will be set-aside. 11 When I was a child, I was speaking like a child, thinking like a child, counting[ax] like[ay] a child— when I have become[az] a man, I have set-aside the things of the child. 12 For now we are seeing through[ba] a mirror, in an enigma[bb]— but then face to face. Now I know in part— but then I will know-fully, just as I also was fully-known. 13 But now[bc] these three are remaining— faith, hope, love. But love is the greater of these. 14 1 Be pursuing[bd] love.

Be Zealous For Spiritual Gifts, But Especially To Prophesy And Edify The Church

Now be zealous-for the spiritual gifts, but even-more[be] that you might be prophesying. 2 For the one speaking in a tongue is not speaking[bf] to people, but to God— for no one hears[bg], but he speaks mysteries[bh] with his spirit[bi]. 3 But the one prophesying is speaking edification and exhortation and consolation[bj] to people. 4 The one speaking in a tongue is edifying himself [bk], but the one prophesying is edifying the church. 5 And I wish[bl] that you all were speaking in tongues, but even-more[bm] that you might be prophesying. But[bn] the one prophesying is greater[bo] than one speaking in tongues— unless[bp] he interprets in order that the church may receive edification.

Speaking In Tongues Is Just Speaking Into The Air Unless It Is Understood

6 But now[bq], brothers, if I come to you speaking[br] in tongues, what will I profit you unless I speak to you either[bs] by[bt] a revelation or by knowledge or by a prophecy or by a teaching? 7 Likewise the lifeless things giving a sound— whether a flute or harp— if it does not give a distinction in the tones, how will the thing being fluted or the thing being harped be known? 8 For indeed, if a trumpet gives an uncertain sound, who will prepare himself for battle? 9 So also you with the tongue— if you do not give a clear word, how will the thing being spoken be known? For you will be speaking into the air! 10 There are perhaps so-many kinds of spoken sounds[bu] in the world, and none is meaningless. 11 If then I do not know the force of the spoken sound, I will be a barbarian to the one speaking, and the one speaking a barbarian with me. 12 So also[bv] you— since you are zealots[bw] for spiritual gifts, be seeking that you may abound for the edification of the church.

So In Church, Tongues Must Be Interpreted If The Hearers Are To Be Edified

13 Therefore let the one speaking in a tongue pray in order that he might interpret. 14 For if I am praying in a tongue, my spirit[bx] is praying, but my mind[by] is unfruitful[bz]. 15 What then[ca] is to be done? I will pray with the spirit, and[cb] I will also pray with the mind. I will sing-praise with the spirit, and I will also sing-praise with the mind. 16 Otherwise, if you are blessing[cc] with your spirit[cd] [only], how will the one filling the place of the uninstructed[ce] say the “Amen” at your thanksgiving, since he does not know what you are saying? 17 For you are giving-thanks well[cf]— but the other person is not being edified. 18 I give-thanks to God I speak in tongues more than all of you. 19 But in church[cg], I want to speak five words with my mind in order that I might also instruct others, rather than ten-thousand words in a tongue.

Tongues Are a Sign For Unbelievers; Prophecy Is For Believers

20 Brothers, do not be children in your understanding. But be childlike in evilness, and be mature in your understanding. 21 It has been written in the Law [in Isa 28:11-12] that “I will speak to this people by people of other-tongues, and by the lips of others. And not even in this manner will they listen-to Me, says the Lord”. 22 So then the tongues are for a sign[ch]— not for the ones believing, but for the unbelievers. But the prophecy is not for the unbelievers, but for the ones believing.

So In Church, Tongues Not Understood Breed Confusion. Prophecy Edifies

23 Therefore, if the whole church comes-together at the same place, and they all speak in tongues[ci], and uninstructed ones or unbelievers come-in, will they not say that you are mad[cj]? 24 But if they all prophesy[ck], and some unbeliever or an uninstructed one comes in, he is convicted[cl] by all. He is examined by all. 25 The hidden things of his heart become evident[cm]. And thus, having fallen on his face, he will give-worship to God, declaring that God is really among you.

Brothers, Organize Your Church Service For Edification

26 What then[cn] is to be done, brothers? Whenever you come-together, each[co] one has a psalm, has a teaching, has a revelation, has a tongue, has an interpretation. Let all things be done for edification. 27 If anyone speaks in a tongue, let it be done by two or at the most three, and in turn, and let one[cp] person interpret. 28 But if [cq] there is no interpreter, let him be silent in church. And let him speak to himself [cr] and to God. 29 And let two or three prophets speak, and let the others[cs] discern[ct]. 30 But if a prophecy is revealed to another being seated, let the first be silent. 31 For you can all prophesy individually[cu], in order that all may learn, and all may be exhorted[cv]. 32 And the spirits[cw] of prophets are subject[cx] to prophets. 33 For God is not the God of disorder[cy], but of peace.

This Also Includes Women Being Quiet During The Church Service

As[cz] in all the churches[da] of the saints, 34 let the women be silent[db] in the churches. For it is not permitted for them to speak[dc]. But let them be subject, just as the Law also says[dd]. 35 And if they want to learn anything, let them question their own husbands at home. For it is shameful for a woman to speak in church.

These Instructions Are The Lord’s Commandments

36 Or did the word of God go-forth from you? Or did it reach to you only? 37 If anyone thinks that he is a prophet or a spiritual person, let him acknowledge the things which I am writing to you— that they are a commandment of the Lord. 38 But if anyone does not-know this, he is not-known[de].

Summary

39 So then, my brothers, be zealous-for the prophesying. And do not be forbidding[df] the speaking in tongues. 40 But let all things be done properly, and in accordance with order.

Footnotes

  1. 1 Corinthians 12:2 That is, non-believers.
  2. 1 Corinthians 12:2 That is, by outside forces beyond your control. This is no longer so. In chapters 12-14 Paul explains how the Spirit of God is working in and through them.
  3. 1 Corinthians 12:2 Or, whenever.
  4. 1 Corinthians 12:3 Or, be.
  5. 1 Corinthians 12:4 Or, divisions, varieties, distributions.
  6. 1 Corinthians 12:4 That is, empowerments proceeding from God’s grace.
  7. 1 Corinthians 12:5 That is, ways and spheres of service.
  8. 1 Corinthians 12:6 Or, effects, products, results, activities. God accomplishes different things in and through us.
  9. 1 Corinthians 12:7 Or, open-disclosure, public revelation.
  10. 1 Corinthians 12:7 That is, given by; or, consisting of.
  11. 1 Corinthians 12:8 Or, speech, saying, message, statement.
  12. 1 Corinthians 12:8 That is, characterized by; or, resulting in.
  13. 1 Corinthians 12:8 Or, based on, by way of.
  14. 1 Corinthians 12:9 That is, resulting in; or, consisting of.
  15. 1 Corinthians 12:10 Or, products of miracles. Or, workings by Him of miracles, workings of His powers. Or, results characterized by miracles, miraculous works. Verse 28 simply says ‘miracles’.
  16. 1 Corinthians 12:10 That is, speaking revelation from God confirmed by supernatural knowledge of past, present or future events; or, speaking revelation from God (but without such confirmation); or, speaking for God, forthtelling, preaching.
  17. 1 Corinthians 12:10 Or, distinguishings.
  18. 1 Corinthians 12:10 Or, languages.
  19. 1 Corinthians 12:10 Or, translation.
  20. 1 Corinthians 12:11 Or, produces, effects.
  21. 1 Corinthians 12:11 Or, his own.
  22. 1 Corinthians 12:11 Or, wants, wishes.
  23. 1 Corinthians 12:12 Paul expands on the four parts of this verse in v 13-31.
  24. 1 Corinthians 12:13 Or, in, by.
  25. 1 Corinthians 12:13 This is what makes the body one body.
  26. 1 Corinthians 12:18 Or, But as-it-is.
  27. 1 Corinthians 12:23 Such as when we put on a ring or robe or fancy shoe.
  28. 1 Corinthians 12:23 Or, shameful, un-honored.
  29. 1 Corinthians 12:23 That is, because we cover them with clothing.
  30. 1 Corinthians 12:23 Or, decorum, decency, propriety.
  31. 1 Corinthians 12:24 That is, of clothing.
  32. 1 Corinthians 12:27 That is, body-parts [of it] in part; the Corinthians are part of Christ’s worldwide body. Or, in [your assigned] part. Or, partially (not the eye, but part of the eye).
  33. 1 Corinthians 12:28 Paul starts to say some... others, but then combines this with first, second, in order to rank the gifts.
  34. 1 Corinthians 12:28 Or, sent ones, official representatives or messengers. That is, the twelve (or so) sent personally by Christ; or more broadly, ones sent out by churches.
  35. 1 Corinthians 12:29 The grammar of all these questions expects a ‘no’ answer.
  36. 1 Corinthians 12:31 The Spirit gives gifts as He wills. But since we do not know the works God has prepared for us (Eph 2:10), we should aim to be of maximum value to the body.
  37. 1 Corinthians 12:31 Having completed his main explanation of gifts, Paul now puts them in a broader context.
  38. 1 Corinthians 12:31 Or, And furthermore, I show you a way beyond measure.
  39. 1 Corinthians 12:31 While some gifts are greater than others in edification value, love is beyond measure. God gives gifts; God is love.
  40. 1 Corinthians 13:3 Or, give away (piece by piece).
  41. 1 Corinthians 13:3 Or deliver. That is, deliver into slavery to help others; or as a martyr.
  42. 1 Corinthians 13:3 Some manuscripts say ‘be burned’.
  43. 1 Corinthians 13:4 Or, behave jealously (in a negative sense).
  44. 1 Corinthians 13:5 Or, -improperly, -disgracefully, -indecently.
  45. 1 Corinthians 13:5 That is, to anger. Or, irritated.
  46. 1 Corinthians 13:5 Or, account, calculate, impute. That is, keep account of it; or, count it against a person (be resentful); or, impute it to others.
  47. 1 Corinthians 13:8 Or, done away, put to an end.
  48. 1 Corinthians 13:8 Or, leave off, come to an end.
  49. 1 Corinthians 13:10 That is, in contrast to ‘in part’. Or, perfect, mature, having attained its end or purpose.
  50. 1 Corinthians 13:11 Or, calculating, evaluating.
  51. 1 Corinthians 13:11 That is, with partial understanding.
  52. 1 Corinthians 13:11 That is, attained the state of manhood. Paul is comparing the two states.
  53. 1 Corinthians 13:12 Or, with, by means of.
  54. 1 Corinthians 13:12 That is, in a form that is imperfectly seen, indistinctly reflected, as by a primitive polished-metal mirror.
  55. 1 Corinthians 13:13 Or, But as-it-is. That is, in this life. Faith and hope are added because they are our connection to the next life.
  56. 1 Corinthians 14:1 Or, running after, seeking after.
  57. 1 Corinthians 14:1 Or, rather.
  58. 1 Corinthians 14:2 That is, addressing himself to.
  59. 1 Corinthians 14:2 That is, hears with understanding.
  60. 1 Corinthians 14:2 That is, things not knowable by humans apart from a revelation by God.
  61. 1 Corinthians 14:2 Or, by the Spirit; or, with his spiritual gift (as in v 12).
  62. 1 Corinthians 14:3 Or, comfort, encouragement.
  63. 1 Corinthians 14:4 That is, because God is speaking through him, not because he understands.
  64. 1 Corinthians 14:5 That is, wish in theory (as this word is used in 7:7), since neither is possible, 12:11, 18, 30; or, wish it to truly happen.
  65. 1 Corinthians 14:5 Or, rather. Same phrase as in v 1.
  66. 1 Corinthians 14:5 Or, And, Now.
  67. 1 Corinthians 14:5 That is, in ability to edify the church.
  68. 1 Corinthians 14:5 Lit, except unless. That is, with this exception, unless. The interpretation is equivalent to prophecy in edification value.
  69. 1 Corinthians 14:6 Or, But as-it-is.
  70. 1 Corinthians 14:6 That is, as a tongues-speaker; or, as actually addressing you.
  71. 1 Corinthians 14:6 That is, by one of these other gifts; or, by an interpretation of my tongues so as to yield one of these benefits.
  72. 1 Corinthians 14:6 Or, with, in.
  73. 1 Corinthians 14:10 Or, voices, and thus, languages.
  74. 1 Corinthians 14:12 Paul applies v 6-11 to them in a positive way.
  75. 1 Corinthians 14:12 Or, zealous.
  76. 1 Corinthians 14:14 Or, my spiritual gift, as in v 12.
  77. 1 Corinthians 14:14 Or, understanding, intellect.
  78. 1 Corinthians 14:14 Or, barren, unproductive, fruitless. My mind produces nothing for edification.
  79. 1 Corinthians 14:15 That is, what is the tongues-speaker personally to do? Compare v 26.
  80. 1 Corinthians 14:15 Or, but. That is, with one privately and the other publicly; or, with tongues in church and then with the interpretation to edify others; or, with both in church at the same time (meaning, in my native language).
  81. 1 Corinthians 14:16 This is equivalent to praying [a blessing] in a tongue, v 14.
  82. 1 Corinthians 14:16 Or, spiritual gift, as in v 12.
  83. 1 Corinthians 14:16 Or, untrained, uninformed.
  84. 1 Corinthians 14:17 Or, commendably.
  85. 1 Corinthians 14:19 This implies Paul either spoke in tongues to unbelievers, in accordance with v 22, or privately.
  86. 1 Corinthians 14:22 That is, a sign of God’s presence in the one speaking to the unbelievers, as seen in Acts 2; or more specifically, a sign of God’s judgment on Israel, as in Isaiah 28.
  87. 1 Corinthians 14:23 That is, without interpretation.
  88. 1 Corinthians 14:23 Or, raving, out of your mind. In this case, none are edified.
  89. 1 Corinthians 14:24 In this case, all are edified, even any unbeliever present.
  90. 1 Corinthians 14:24 Or, exposed, rebuked.
  91. 1 Corinthians 14:25 Or, known.
  92. 1 Corinthians 14:26 That is, what is the church to do?
  93. 1 Corinthians 14:26 That is, each has what God gives them, these being examples.
  94. 1 Corinthians 14:27 That is, one for all three; or, one for each.
  95. 1 Corinthians 14:28 This means the speaker must know in advance that the tongue will be interpreted.
  96. 1 Corinthians 14:28 That is, silently; or, privately, somewhere else.
  97. 1 Corinthians 14:29 That is, other prophets or gifted individuals.
  98. 1 Corinthians 14:29 That is, discern whether God is the source.
  99. 1 Corinthians 14:31 Or, one by one.
  100. 1 Corinthians 14:31 Or, encouraged.
  101. 1 Corinthians 14:32 That is, human spirits; or, spiritual gifts, as in v 12.
  102. 1 Corinthians 14:32 The prophets and tongue-speakers (as seen in v 28) are not in a state of uncontrollable ecstasy, possessed by the gods, as in the Corinthians’ former pagan religions.
  103. 1 Corinthians 14:33 Or, unruliness, commotions.
  104. 1 Corinthians 14:33 Or, peace, as in all... saints. Let the.
  105. 1 Corinthians 14:33 Or, churches, let the wives of the saints.
  106. 1 Corinthians 14:34 Some think women prayed and prophesied in the church, subordinating this verse to 11:4-5. Aside from such participation led by the Spirit, they are to remain quiet. General talking and asking questions is in view. Others think women prayed and prophesied elsewhere, subordinating 11:4-5 to this verse, meaning Paul is forbidding all speaking in church by women.
  107. 1 Corinthians 14:34 Or, talk. That is, speak out of order, as with the prophets and tongue-speakers; or, speak at all.
  108. 1 Corinthians 14:34 Compare 11:8-9; 1 Tim 2:13-14.
  109. 1 Corinthians 14:38 That is, as a prophet or spiritual person. Or, not-recognize... not-recognized.
  110. 1 Corinthians 14:39 Or, preventing, hindering, restraining.
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