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

¹² For even as the body is one and has many members, but all the members of the body, being many, are one body, so also is the Christ. ¹³ For also in the power of one Spirit we have all been baptised into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, whether bondmen or free, and have all been given to drink of one Spirit. ¹⁴ For also the body is not one member but many. ¹⁵ If the foot say, Because I am not a hand I am not of the body, is it on account of this not indeed of the body? ¹⁶ And if the ear say, Because I am not an eye I am not of the body, is it on account of this not indeed of the body? ¹⁷ If the whole body were an eye, where the hearing? if all hearing, where the smelling? ¹⁸ But now God has set the members, each one of them in the body, according as it has pleased him. ¹⁹ But if all were one member, where the body? ²⁰ But now the members are many, and the body one.

²¹ The eye cannot say to the hand, I have not need of thee; or again, the head to the feet, I have not need of you. ²² But much rather, the members of the body which seem to be weaker are necessary; ²³ and those parts of the body which we esteem to be the more void of honour, these we clothe with more abundant honour; and our uncomely parts have more abundant comeliness; ²⁴ but our comely parts have not need. But God has tempered the body together, having given more abundant honour to the part that lacked; ²⁵ that there might be no division in the body, but that the members might have the same concern one for another. ²⁶ And if one member suffer, all the members suffer with it; and if one member be glorified, all the members rejoice with it.

²⁷ Now ye are Christ's body, and members in particular. ²⁸ And God has set certain in the assembly: first, apostles; secondly, prophets; thirdly, teachers; then miraculous powers; then gifts of healings; helps; governments; kinds of tongues. ²⁹ Are all apostles? are all prophets? are all teachers? are all in possession of miraculous powers? ³⁰ have all gifts of healings? do all speak with tongues? do all interpret?

³¹ But desire earnestly the greater gifts, and yet shew I unto you a way of more surpassing excellence.