1Now concerning spiritual gifts , brethren , I would not have you ignorant . 2Ye know that ye were Gentiles , carried away unto these dumb idols , even as ye were led . 3Wherefore I give you to understand , that no man speaking by the Spirit of God calleth Jesus accursed : and that no man can say that Jesus is the Lord , but by the Holy Ghost . 4Now there are diversities of gifts , but the same Spirit . 5And there are differences of administrations , but the same Lord . 6And there are diversities of operations , but it is the same God which worketh all in all . 7But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal . 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 divers kinds of tongues ; to another the interpretation of tongues : 11But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit , dividing to every man severally as he will .
Unity in Diversity
12For as the body is one , and hath many members , and all the members of that one body , being many , are one body : so also is Christ . 13For by one Spirit are 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 were the hearing ? If the whole were hearing , where were the smelling ? 18But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body , as it hath pleased him . 19And if they were all one member , where were the body ? 20But now are they many members , yet but one body .
The Importance of Every Member
21And the eye cannot say unto the hand , I have no need of thee : 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 honourable , upon these we bestow more abundant honour ; and our uncomely parts have more abundant comeliness . 24For our comely parts have no need : but God hath tempered the body together , having given more abundant honour 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 suffer , all the members suffer with it ; or one member be honoured , all the members rejoice with it .
Desiring the Greater Gifts
27Now ye are the body of Christ , and members in particular . 28And God hath set some in the church , first apostles , secondarily prophets , thirdly teachers , after that miracles , then gifts of healings , helps , governments , diversities 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 shew I unto you a more excellent way .