Instructions in Spiritual Gifts

1Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I would not have you ignorant.

2You know that you were Gentiles, carried away unto these dumb idols, even as you were led.

3Therefore I give you to understand, that no man speaking by the Spirit of God calls Jesus accursed: and that no man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Spirit.

4Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit.

5And there are differences of ministries, but the same Lord.

6And there are diversities of workings, but it is the same God who works all in all.

7But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man for profit.

8For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit;

9To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit;

10To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another various kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues:

11But in all these works that one and same Spirit, dividing to every man individually as he will.

Many Members Make up one Church Body

12For as the body is one, and has many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ.

13For by one Spirit were we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.

14For the body is not one member, but many.

15If the foot shall say, Because I am not the hand, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body?

16And if the ear shall say, Because I am not the eye, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body?

17If the whole body were an eye, where would be the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where would be the smelling?

18But now has God set the members every one of them in the body, as it has pleased him.

19And if they were all one member, where would be the body?

20But now are they many members, yet but one body.

21And the eye cannot say unto the hand, I have no need of you: nor again the head to the feet, I have no need of you.

22Nay, much more those members of the body, which seem to be more feeble, are necessary:

23And those members of the body, which we think to be less honorable, upon these we bestow more abundant honor; and our less respectable parts have greater respect.

24For our more respectable parts have no need: but God has arranged the body together, having given more abundant honor to that part which lacked:

25That there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another.

26And whether one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; or one member be honored, all the members rejoice with it.

27Now you are the body of Christ, and members in particular.

Priorities in Spiritual Gifts

28And God has set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helpers, administrators, various kinds of tongues.

29Are all apostles? are all prophets? are all teachers? are all workers of miracles?

30Have all the gifts of healing? do all speak with tongues? do all interpret?

31But covet earnestly the best gifts: and yet I show unto you a more excellent way.