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It Is One Body With One Spirit

13 For indeed with[a] one Spirit, we all were baptized into one body[b]— 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[c], 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[d] more honor. Indeed our private[e] parts have more[f] presentability[g], 24 but our presentable parts have no need[h]. 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[i]. 28 And God placed some[j] in the church as first, apostles[k]; second, prophets; third, teachers; then miracles; then gifts of healings, helps, administrations, kinds of tongues. 29 All are not apostles, are[l] 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[m] the greater gifts.

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

And[n] I show you a way still[o] beyond measure[p]:

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Footnotes

  1. 1 Corinthians 12:13 Or, in, by.
  2. 1 Corinthians 12:13 This is what makes the body one body.
  3. 1 Corinthians 12:18 Or, But as-it-is.
  4. 1 Corinthians 12:23 Such as when we put on a ring or robe or fancy shoe.
  5. 1 Corinthians 12:23 Or, shameful, un-honored.
  6. 1 Corinthians 12:23 That is, because we cover them with clothing.
  7. 1 Corinthians 12:23 Or, decorum, decency, propriety.
  8. 1 Corinthians 12:24 That is, of clothing.
  9. 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).
  10. 1 Corinthians 12:28 Paul starts to say some... others, but then combines this with first, second, in order to rank the gifts.
  11. 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.
  12. 1 Corinthians 12:29 The grammar of all these questions expects a ‘no’ answer.
  13. 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.
  14. 1 Corinthians 12:31 Having completed his main explanation of gifts, Paul now puts them in a broader context.
  15. 1 Corinthians 12:31 Or, And furthermore, I show you a way beyond measure.
  16. 1 Corinthians 12:31 While some gifts are greater than others in edification value, love is beyond measure. God gives gifts; God is love.

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