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1 Corinthians 12:11

New Testament Epistle (Pauline) ASV (1901)

What does 1 Corinthians 12:11 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “but all these worketh the one and the same Spirit, dividing to each one severally even as he will.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

but all these worketh the one and the same Spirit, dividing to each one severally even as he will.
1 Corinthians 12:11 — American Standard Version

Context — 1 Corinthians 12

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
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.
← 1 Corinthians 12:101 Corinthians 12:12 →
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What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, etc.] Though these gifts, ministrations, and operations, are so different in themselves, and are bestowed upon different persons, yet they are all wrought by one and the same Spirit of God, who is the true Jehovah, and properly God, as these his works declare; for who, but the most high God, could ever communicate such gifts to men? Dividing to every man severally as he will; giving one man this gift, and another that; imparting such a measure to one, and such a portion to another, just as seems good in his sight. For as his special grace in regeneration is dispensed when and where, and to whom he pleases, signified by the blowing of…”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“as he will-- (Co1 12:18; Heb 2:4).”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“But all these - All these various endowments. Worketh - Produces. All these are to be traced to him. That one and the self-same Spirit - The Holy Spirit, Acts 2:0. They were all, though so different in themselves, to be traced to the Holy Spirit, just as all the natural endowments of people - their strength, memory, judgment, etc. - though so various in themselves are to be traced to the same God. Dividing to every man severally - Conferring on each one as he pleases. He confers on each one that which he sees to be best, and most wise, and proper. As he will - As he chooses or as in his view seems best. Dr. Doddridge remarks, that this word does “not so much express arbitrary pleasure, as a…”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“As he willeth - The Greek word does not so much imply arbitrary pleasure, as a determination founded on wise counsel. 1 Corinthians 12:12”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“12:11 The Spirit . . . decides which gift each person should have: See 12:4, 6, 18, 28. Paul paradoxically affirms both the sovereign choice of God in giving spiritual gifts and the human responsibility to “earnestly desire the most helpful gifts” (12:31).”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“all: Co1 12:4, Co1 7:7, Co1 7:17; Joh 3:27; Rom 12:6; Co2 10:13; Eph 4:7 as: Co1 12:6; Dan 4:35; Mat 11:26, Mat 20:15; Joh 3:8, Joh 5:21; Rom 9:18; Eph 1:11; Heb 2:4; Jam 1:18 1 Corinthians 12:12”
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Related study paths

Read 1 Corinthians 12 in contextBrowse Greek word studiesOpen this verse in the study reader

Sources and verification