1 Corinthians 12:1
1 Corinthians 12:1 in Multiple Translations
Now about spiritual gifts, brothers, I do not want you to be uninformed.
Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I would not have you ignorant.
Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I would not have you ignorant.
But about the things of the spirit, my brothers, it is not right for you to be without teaching.
Now about “spiritual gifts.” My brothers and sisters, I want to explain this to you.
Now concerning spirituall giftes, brethren, I would not haue you ignorant.
And concerning the spiritual things, brethren, I do not wish you to be ignorant;
Now concerning spiritual things, brothers, I don’t want you to be ignorant.
Now concerning spiritual gifts , brethren, I would not have you ignorant.
Now concerning spiritual things, my brethren, I would not have you ignorant.
Now, my fellow believers, I will answer your questions about the things God’s Spirit enables believers to do. I want you to know clearly [LIT] about these things.
My Christian friends, you know that the Holy Spirit gives special power to Christians. I want to tell you more about that, so that you will understand it properly.
Berean Amplified Bible — 1 Corinthians 12:1
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1 Corinthians 12:1 Interlinear (Deep Study)
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Greek Word Reference — 1 Corinthians 12:1
Study Notes — 1 Corinthians 12:1
- Context
- Cross References
- 1 Corinthians 12:1 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on 1 Corinthians 12:1
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on 1 Corinthians 12:1
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on 1 Corinthians 12:1
- Trapp's Commentary on 1 Corinthians 12:1
- Ellicott's Commentary on 1 Corinthians 12:1
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on 1 Corinthians 12:1
- Cambridge Bible on 1 Corinthians 12:1
- Barnes' Notes on 1 Corinthians 12:1
- Whedon's Commentary on 1 Corinthians 12:1
- Sermons on 1 Corinthians 12:1
Context — Spiritual Gifts
1Now about spiritual gifts, brothers, I do not want you to be uninformed.
2You know that when you were pagans, you were influenced and led astray to mute idols. 3Therefore I inform you that no one who is speaking by the Spirit of God says, “Jesus be cursed,” and no one can say, “Jesus is Lord,” except by the Holy Spirit.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 Corinthians 12:4–11 | There are different gifts, but the same Spirit. There are different ministries, but the same Lord. There are different ways of working, but the same God works all things in all people. Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. To one there is given through the Spirit the message of wisdom, to another the message of knowledge by the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in various tongues, and to still another the interpretation of tongues. All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, who apportions them to each one as He determines. |
| 2 | 1 Corinthians 14:37 | If anyone considers himself a prophet or spiritual person, let him acknowledge that what I am writing you is the Lord’s command. |
| 3 | 1 Corinthians 14:1–18 | Earnestly pursue love and eagerly desire spiritual gifts, especially the gift of prophecy. For he who speaks in a tongue does not speak to men, but to God. Indeed, no one understands him; he utters mysteries in the Spirit. But he who prophesies speaks to men for their edification, encouragement, and comfort. The one who speaks in a tongue edifies himself, but the one who prophesies edifies the church. I wish that all of you could speak in tongues, but I would rather have you prophesy. He who prophesies is greater than one who speaks in tongues, unless he interprets so that the church may be edified. Now, brothers, if I come to you speaking in tongues, how will I benefit you, unless I bring you some revelation or knowledge or prophecy or teaching? Even in the case of lifeless instruments, such as the flute or harp, how will anyone recognize the tune they are playing unless the notes are distinct? Again, if the trumpet sounds a muffled call, who will prepare for battle? So it is with you. Unless you speak intelligible words with your tongue, how will anyone know what you are saying? You will just be speaking into the air. Assuredly, there are many different languages in the world, yet none of them is without meaning. If, then, I do not know the meaning of someone’s language, I am a foreigner to the speaker, and he is a foreigner to me. It is the same with you. Since you are eager to have spiritual gifts, strive to excel in gifts that build up the church. Therefore, the one who speaks in a tongue should pray that he may interpret. For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my mind is unfruitful. What then shall I do? I will pray with my spirit, but I will also pray with my mind. I will sing with my spirit, but I will also sing with my mind. Otherwise, if you speak a blessing in spirit, how can someone who is uninstructed say “Amen” to your thanksgiving, since he does not know what you are saying? You may be giving thanks well enough, but the other one is not edified. I thank God that I speak in tongues more than all of you. |
| 4 | Ephesians 4:11 | And it was He who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, |
| 5 | 2 Peter 3:8 | Beloved, do not let this one thing escape your notice: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. |
| 6 | 1 Corinthians 10:1 | I do not want you to be unaware, brothers, that our forefathers were all under the cloud, and that they all passed through the sea. |
| 7 | 1 Thessalonians 4:13 | Brothers, we do not want you to be uninformed about those who sleep in death, so that you will not grieve like the rest, who are without hope. |
| 8 | 2 Corinthians 1:8 | We do not want you to be unaware, brothers, of the hardships we encountered in the province of Asia. We were under a burden far beyond our ability to endure, so that we despaired even of life. |
1 Corinthians 12:1 Summary
In 1 Corinthians 12:1, the Apostle Paul is expressing his desire for the Corinthian believers to have a clear understanding of spiritual gifts, so they can use them to serve and build up the body of Christ. Just like how we need to be informed about important things in our everyday lives, we need to be informed about spiritual gifts so we can use them correctly and bring glory to God (as seen in Colossians 3:17). By understanding and using our spiritual gifts, we can experience the power and presence of the Holy Spirit in our lives, just like the early believers did in Acts 2:1-4. As we seek to learn more about spiritual gifts, let's remember that it's all about serving and loving others, not just about the gifts themselves (as taught in 1 Corinthians 13:1-3).
Frequently Asked Questions
What are spiritual gifts and why are they important?
Spiritual gifts are special abilities given by the Holy Spirit to believers for the purpose of serving and building up the body of Christ, as seen in 1 Corinthians 12:1 and Romans 12:6-8. Understanding these gifts is essential for effective ministry and service.
Why does the Apostle Paul want the Corinthian believers to be informed about spiritual gifts?
Paul wants the believers to be informed about spiritual gifts so they can use them correctly and avoid being misled, as stated in 1 Corinthians 12:1 and supported by Ephesians 4:11-12, which emphasizes the importance of equipping the saints for ministry.
How can we distinguish between genuine spiritual gifts and false or counterfeit ones?
We can distinguish between genuine and false spiritual gifts by testing them against Scripture and observing their fruit, as taught in 1 John 4:1-3 and Matthew 7:15-20, which warn against false prophets and emphasize the importance of discernment.
What is the relationship between spiritual gifts and the Holy Spirit?
Spiritual gifts are given by the Holy Spirit, as stated in 1 Corinthians 12:1 and 1 Corinthians 12:11, and are a manifestation of His presence and power in the life of a believer, as seen in Acts 1:8 and Galatians 5:22-23.
Reflection Questions
- What are some areas in my life where I may be uninformed or misinformed about spiritual gifts, and how can I seek to learn more?
- How can I ensure that I am using my spiritual gifts to serve and build up the body of Christ, rather than to promote myself or my own interests?
- What are some ways that I can cultivate a deeper understanding of the Holy Spirit's work in my life, and how can I surrender more fully to His guidance and empowerment?
- How can I discern whether a particular gift or ministry is genuinely of the Lord, or if it is a counterfeit or fleshly expression?
- What are some ways that I can support and encourage others in their use of spiritual gifts, and how can I help to create an environment where gifts can flourish?
Gill's Exposition on 1 Corinthians 12:1
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on 1 Corinthians 12:1
Matthew Poole's Commentary on 1 Corinthians 12:1
Trapp's Commentary on 1 Corinthians 12:1
Ellicott's Commentary on 1 Corinthians 12:1
Adam Clarke's Commentary on 1 Corinthians 12:1
Cambridge Bible on 1 Corinthians 12:1
Barnes' Notes on 1 Corinthians 12:1
Whedon's Commentary on 1 Corinthians 12:1
Sermons on 1 Corinthians 12:1
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
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Concerning Spiritual Gifts: Foundation Facts About Spiritual Gifts by Warren Wiersbe | In this sermon, the speaker focuses on the importance of spiritual gifts as discussed in 1 Corinthians 12, 13, and 14. He emphasizes that if spiritual gifts were not important, Pau |
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(1 Corinthians) ch.12:1-12:21 by Zac Poonen | In this sermon, the speaker discusses the different spiritual gifts mentioned in 1 Corinthians 12:4-6, specifically focusing on the gifts of faith and healing. The speaker emphasiz |
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(Spiritual Gifts): Spiritual Gifts 1 by A.W. Tozer | In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of finding and following the will of God in our lives. He believes that God wants to do something new for the church and for e |
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Gifts of the Holy Spirit - Part 1 by J. Vernon McGee | In the video, a listener shares her realization that she needs to be more involved in her husband's efforts to evangelize his family. She was inspired by a radio sermon that emphas |
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(Depressed Disciples) the Gift of Tounges by Willie Mullan | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of the gift of teaching and spreading God's word. He shares his experience of being able to gather people from all over the w |
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The Body of Christ by Stephen Kaung | In this sermon, the speaker discusses the importance of understanding the concept of the body of Christ. They explain that the body is made up of many members, each with their own |
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Studies in 1 Corinthians-10 1 Cor 12 by William MacDonald | In this sermon transcript, the speaker discusses the importance of using spiritual gifts for the benefit of the church and the glory of God. They express concern about the commerci |







