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1 Corinthians Chapter 12

New Testament Epistle (Pauline) 31 Verses

What is 1 Corinthians 12 about?

Paul's pastoral correction of a divided church — gifts, the definition of love, the Lord's Supper, and the resurrection. The complete chapter text below provides the immediate literary context for study.

Text — American Standard Version (1901)

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. For original Hebrew/Greek interlinear text, open in BibleWord.ai.
1Now concerning spiritual [gifts], brethren, I would not have you ignorant.
2Ye know that when ye were Gentiles [ye were] led away unto those dumb idols, howsoever ye might led.
3Wherefore I make known unto you, that no man speaking in the Spirit of God saith, Jesus is anathema; and no man can say, Jesus is Lord, but in the Holy Spirit.
4Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit.
5And there are diversities of ministrations, and the same Lord.
6And there are diversities of workings, but the same God, who worketh all things in all.
7But to each one is given the manifestation of the Spirit to profit withal.
8For to one is given through the Spirit the word of wisdom; and to another the word of knowledge, according to the same Spirit:
9to another faith, in the same Spirit; and to another gifts of healings, in the one Spirit;
10and to another workings of miracles; and to another prophecy; and to another discernings of spirits; to another [divers] kinds of tongues; and to another the interpretation of tongues:
11but all these worketh the one and the same Spirit, dividing to each one severally even as he will.
12For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of the body, being many, are one body; so also is Christ.
13For in one Spirit were we all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, whether bond or free; and were all made to drink of 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; it is not therefore not of the body.
16And if the ear shall say, Because I am not the eye, I am not of the body; it is not 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 each one of them in the body, even as it pleased him.
19And if they were all one member, where were the body?
20But now they are many members, but one body.
21And the eye cannot say to the hand, I have no need of thee: or again the head to the feet, I have no need of you.
22Nay, much rather, those members of the body which seem to be more feeble are necessary:
23and those [parts] of the body, which we think to be less honorable, upon these we bestow more abundant honor; and our uncomely [parts] have more abundant comeliness;
24whereas our comely [parts] have no need: but God tempered the body together, giving 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 suffereth, all the members suffer with it; or [one] member is honored, all the members rejoice with it.
27Now ye are the body of Christ, and severally members thereof.
28And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondly prophets, thirdly teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, [divers] kinds of tongues.
29Are all apostles? are all prophets? are all teachers? are all [workers of] miracles?
30have all gifts of healings? do all speak with tongues? do all interpret?
31But desire earnestly the greater gifts. And moreover a most excellent way show I unto you.
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What do historical commentaries say about this chapter?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · on verse 1
“Now concerning spiritual gifts, etc.] Though the word “gifts” is not in the original text, it is rightly supplied by our translators, as it is in the Arabic version: for the apostle does not mean spiritual graces, nor spiritual words, or doctrines, nor spiritual meats and drinks, nor spiritual men, each of which are mentioned before in this epistle; though the latter is thought by some to be here intended, and that the apostle’s view is to show the difference between those that are spiritual, and those that are not; but as spiritual gifts are the subject of the apostle’s discourse throughout this chapter, and the…”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · on verse 1
“THE USE AND THE ABUSE OF SPIRITUAL GIFTS, ESPECIALLY PROPHESYING AND TONGUES. (1Co. 12:1-31) spiritual gifts--the signs of the Spirit's continued efficacious presence in the Church, which is Christ's body, the complement of His incarnation, as the body is the complement of the head. By the love which pervades the whole, the gifts of the several members, forming reciprocal complements to each other, tend to the one object of perfecting the body of Christ. The ordinary and permanent gifts are comprehended together with the extraordinary, without distinction specified, as both alike flow from the divine indwelling…”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · on verse 1
“Now concerning - it is now time that I should speak of spiritual endowments. He had no doubt been consulted in regard to them, and probably various questions had been proposed, which he now proceeded to answer. Spiritual gifts - The word “gifts” is not in the original. The Greek refers to “spiritual” things in general, or to anything that is of a spiritual nature. The whole discussion, however, shows that he refers to the various endowments, gifts, or graces that had been bestowed in different degrees on the members of the church - including the distinctions in graces, and in degrees of office and rank, which had…”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · on verse 1
“Now concerning spiritual gifts - The abundance of these in the churches of Greece strongly refuted the idle learning of the Greek philosophers. But the Corinthians did not use them wisely, which occasioned St. Paul's writing concerning them. He describes, The unity of the body, 1Co. 12:1-27. The variety of members and offices, Co1 12:27-30. The way of exercising gifts rightly, namely, by love, Co1 12:31, Co1 13:1. throughout: and adds, A comparison of several gifts with each other, in the fourteenth chapter. 1 Corinthians 12:2”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · on verse 1
“12:1–14:40 The church at Corinth had placed too much emphasis on the gift of tongues (see 14:1-25, 27; cp. the lists in 12:8-10, 28, where Paul places tongues last), so Paul gives corrective advice regarding the value and use of spiritual gifts. 12:1-3 Paul introduces the topic, emphasizing the active presence of the Holy Spirit in believers.”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · on verse 1
“spiritual: Co1 12:4-11, 14:1-18, Co1 14:37; Eph 4:11 I would not: Co1 10:1; Co2 1:8; Th1 4:13; Pe2 3:8 1 Corinthians 12:2”
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