1 Corinthians 12:12-31 - Unity In The Midst Of Diversity

¹² For as the body is one, and has many members, and all the members of the body, being many, are one body, so also is the Christ. ¹³ For by one Spirit we all were immersed into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, whether bond or free; and we all have been made to drink of one Spirit. ¹⁴ For the body is not one member, but many. ¹⁵ If the foot shall say: Because I am not the hand, I am not of the body, is it, for this reason, no part of the body? ¹⁶ And if the ear shall say: Because I am not the eye, I am not of the body, is it, for this reason, no part of the body? ¹⁷ If the whole body were an eye, where were the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where were the smelling? ¹⁸ But now God has placed the members, each of them, in the body, as it has pleased him. ¹⁹ And if they were all one member, where were the body? ²⁰ But now there are many members, but one body.

²¹ The eye can not say to the hand: I have no need of you; or again, the head to the feet: I have no need of you. ²² But much more are those members of the body necessary, which seem to be more feeble. ²³ And those members of the body, which, we think, are less honorable, around these we place the more abundant honor; and our uncomely members have the more abundant comeliness: ²⁴ for our comely members have no need. But God has so arranged the body, giving more abundant honor to that part which is deficient, ²⁵ that there may be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same anxious care, one for another; ²⁶ and if one member suffer, all the members suffer with it; or if one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it.

²⁷ Now, you are the body of Christ, and, as individuals, you are members. ²⁸ And God has placed some in the church, first, apostles; secondly, prophets; thirdly, teachers; then mighty deeds; then gifts of healing; helps, governments, kinds of tongues. ²⁹ Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Are all workers of mighty deeds? ³⁰ Have all the gifts of healing? Do all speak with tongues? Do all interpret?

³¹ But seek earnestly the best gifts; and yet I show you a more excellent way.