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

¹² For as the body is one, and hath many members; but all the parts of this one body, though many, are but one body: ¹³ so also is the mystical body of Christ; for by one Spirit we are all baptized into one body, (whether Jews or Greeks, slaves or free) and are all made to drink into one Spirit: ¹⁴ for the body is not one member, but many. ¹⁵ If the foot should say, "Because I am not the hand, I am not of the body," is it therefore not of the body? ¹⁶ And if the ear should say, "Because I am not the eye, I am not of the body," is it therefore not of the body? ¹⁷ If the whole body were an eye, where were the hearing? and if the whole were hearing, where were the smelling? ¹⁸ But now God hath placed the members, every one of them in the body, as He pleased. ¹⁹ And if they were all one member, where were the body? ²⁰ whereas now there are many members, yet but one body.

²¹ And the eye cannot say to the hand, I have no need of thee: or again the head to the feet, I have no need of you. ²² But those parts of the body, which seem to be weaker, are much more necessary: ²³ and those which we judge the less honorable parts we clothe with more abundant honor; and so our less comely parts have more comeliness added to them, of which our comely ones have no need. ²⁴ But God hath so blended the several parts of the body, giving greater honor to that which was deficient, ²⁵ that there might be no schism in the body; but that all the members might have the same care one for another. ²⁶ And so if one member suffer all the members suffer with it; and if one member be honoured, all the members rejoice with it.

²⁷ Now ye are the body of Christ, and his members each of you in particular. ²⁸ And God hath placed you accordingly in the church, first apostles, secondly prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miraculous powers, then gifts of healing, helps, governments, and various kinds of tongues. ²⁹ Are all apostles? are all prophets? are all teachers? ³⁰ have all miraculous powers? have all the gifts of healing? do all speak many languages? do all interpret? but ye are all zealous for the best gifts.

³¹ Though I will shew you a way yet more excellent.