📖 1 Corinthians — Chapter 12 (KJV)
Read the complete King James Version chapter below, then explore the passage sections, check what you remember, and keep your private study notes.
Red lettering identifies words spoken by Jesus; it is an editorial reading aid. Scripture source: Project Gutenberg KJV, ebook 10.
1 Corinthians 12:1 Now concerning Rspiritual gifts, brethren, I would not have you ignorant.
1 Corinthians 12:2 Ye know Rthat ye were Gentiles, carried away unto these dumb idols, even as ye were led.
1 Corinthians 12:3 Wherefore I give you to understand, that no man speaking by the Spirit of God calleth Jesus Raccursed: and that no man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost.
1 Corinthians 12:4 Now Rthere are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit.
1 Corinthians 12:5 And there are differences of Radministrations, but the same Lord.
1 Corinthians 12:6 And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which Rworketh all in all.
1 Corinthians 12:7 But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal.
1 Corinthians 12:8 For to one Ris given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit;
1 Corinthians 12:9 To another Rfaith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit;
1 Corinthians 12:10 To another Rthe working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues:
1 Corinthians 12:11 But Rall these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will.
1 Corinthians 12:12 For 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.
1 Corinthians 12:13 For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, Rwhether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.
1 Corinthians 12:14 RFor the body is not one member, but many.
1 Corinthians 12:15 If the foot shall say, Because I am not the hand, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body?
1 Corinthians 12:16 And if the ear shall say, Because I am not the eye, I am not of the body; Ris it therefore not of the body?
1 Corinthians 12:17 If the whole body were an eye, where were the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where were the smelling?
1 Corinthians 12:18 But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, Ras it hath pleased him.
1 Corinthians 12:19 And if they were all one member, where were the body?
1 Corinthians 12:20 But now are they many members, yet but one body.
1 Corinthians 12:21 And 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.
1 Corinthians 12:22 Nay, much more those members of the body, which seem to be more feeble, are necessary:
1 Corinthians 12:23 And those members of the body, which we think to be less honourable, upon these we Rbestow more abundant honour; and our uncomely parts have more abundant comeliness.
1 Corinthians 12:24 For our comely parts have no need: but God hath tempered the body together, having given more abundant honour to that part which lacked.
1 Corinthians 12:25 That Rthere should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another.
1 Corinthians 12:26 And whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it; or one member be honoured, all the members rejoice with it.
1 Corinthians 12:27 RNow ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular.
1 Corinthians 12:28 And RGod hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues.
1 Corinthians 12:29 Are Rall apostles? are all prophets? are all teachers? are all workers of miracles?
1 Corinthians 12:30 Have all the gifts of healing? do all speak with tongues? do all interpret?
1 Corinthians 12:31 But Rcovet earnestly the best gifts: and yet shew I unto you a more excellent way.
📚 Study This Chapter
📖 What We’re Reading
1 Corinthians 12:1–11 — Different gifts from one Spirit
🌱 What These Verses Teach Us
Paul describes varied gifts and operations given by the same Spirit for the common benefit of the church.
Key Truth: Use a gift for shared benefit.
Check What You Remember
1. Complete the KJV wording: “Now ____ spiritual gifts, brethren, I would not have you ignorant.” (1 Corinthians 12:1)
Find it in 1 Corinthians 12:1 (KJV).
2. Complete the KJV wording: “Now there are ____ of gifts, but the same Spirit.” (1 Corinthians 12:4)
Find it in 1 Corinthians 12:4 (KJV).
3. Complete the KJV wording: “But the manifestation of the ____ is given to every man to profit withal.” (1 Corinthians 12:7)
Find it in 1 Corinthians 12:7 (KJV).
📖 What We’re Reading
1 Corinthians 12:12–26 — One body and many members
🌱 What These Verses Teach Us
The body illustration opposes both inferiority and superiority. Members depend on one another and share suffering and honor.
Key Truth: Value members whose work differs from yours.
Check What You Remember
1. Complete the KJV wording: “For the ____ is not one member, but many.” (1 Corinthians 12:14)
Find it in 1 Corinthians 12:14 (KJV).
2. Complete the KJV wording: “And if they ____ all one member, where were the body?” (1 Corinthians 12:19)
Find it in 1 Corinthians 12:19 (KJV).
3. Complete the KJV wording: “And ____ one member suffer, all the members suffer with it; or …” (1 Corinthians 12:26)
Find it in 1 Corinthians 12:26 (KJV).
📖 What We’re Reading
1 Corinthians 12:27–31 — Gifts within God's arrangement
🌱 What These Verses Teach Us
God places ministries and gifts within the church. Not everyone has the same function, and Paul introduces a more excellent way.
Key Truth: Respect differences within shared belonging.
Check What You Remember
1. Complete the KJV wording: “Now ye are the ____ of Christ, and members in particular.” (1 Corinthians 12:27)
Find it in 1 Corinthians 12:27 (KJV).
2. Complete the KJV wording: “Are all ____ ? are all prophets? are all teachers? are all workers …” (1 Corinthians 12:29)
Find it in 1 Corinthians 12:29 (KJV).
3. Complete the KJV wording: “But ____ earnestly the best gifts: and yet shew I unto you …” (1 Corinthians 12:31)
Find it in 1 Corinthians 12:31 (KJV).
Related Scripture (KJV)
Romans 12:5 — Paul also describes many members forming one body in Christ.
This related passage is selected for its connection with this chapter. It is separate from the chapter text.
Reflect and Apply
Whose contribution have you overlooked because it differs from your own?
Advanced Questions and Answers
Study this chapter’s wording, patterns, contrasts, and meaning in greater depth.
1. Which account best distinguishes 1 Corinthians 12:1–11 (Different gifts from one Spirit) from the other movements of this chapter?
2. Which account best distinguishes 1 Corinthians 12:12–26 (One body and many members) from the other movements of this chapter?
3. Which account best distinguishes 1 Corinthians 12:27–31 (Gifts within God's arrangement) from the other movements of this chapter?
4. What purpose directs the manifestation of the Spirit?
5. How does the body description unite difference and belonging?
Notes
Write what you want to remember, questions to explore, or Scriptures to look up later. Your saved notes are private to your account.
Loading your notes…
Chapter Navigation
Go to passage
← 1 Corinthians 11 | 1 Corinthians Contents | 1 Corinthians 13 →