1 Corinthians 12:14-31 Lesson 331

1 Corinthians 12:14-31
Lesson 331

Read both the "King James Bible" and the "New Living Translation."

In this lesson:

Lesson 330 continues.

Are believer's part of Christ's body?
Different members (12:14-26), different gifts (12:26-31).

The way to salvation:

First, know that we have all sinned
and that the penalty for sin is eternal death.
Second, believe that Jesus died on the cross for your sins.
Third, believe in and confess that Jesus is the Son of God.

Forgiveness of sins and salvation comes through Jesus Christ.

The First Epistle of Paul The Apostle To The Corinthians

The King James Bible

1 Corinthians 12:14-31
The body of Christ

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 therefore not of the body?

16 And if the ear shall 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? If the whole were hearing, where were the smelling?

18 But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him.

19 And if they were all one member, where were the body?

20 But now are they many members, yet but one body.

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.

22 Nay, much more those members of the body, which seem to be more feeble, are necessary:

23 And those members of the body, which we think to be less honourable, upon these we bestow more abundant honour; and our uncomely parts have more abundant comeliness.

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.

25 That there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another.

26 And whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it; or one member be honoured, all the members rejoice with it.

27 Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular.

28 And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues.

29 Are all apostles? are all prophets? are all teachers? are all workers of miracles?

30 Have all the gifts of healing? do all speak with tongues? do all interpret?

31 But covet earnestly the best gifts: and yet shew I unto you a more excellent way.

Margin notes:

"The body is not one member, but many." (12:14) - "The body is not one part, but many parts." Paul is using the human body as a metaphor for the church. Both the body and the church are made up of many parts, each member performing an important function.

"If the whole body were an eye, where were the hearing?" (12:17) - "If the whole body were an eye, how would you hear?" Each part of the human body and each member of the church is important.

"God set the members every one of them in the body." (12:18) - "God placed each part in the body."

"Now are they many members, yet but one body." (12:20) - This is another reference to the church. Just as the parts of the body need each other to function, members of the church need each other.

"The eye cannot say unto the hand, I have no need of thee." (12:21) - Members of the church can't say "we don't need you" to each other.

"Those members of the body, which seem to be more feeble, are necessary." (12:22) - Even the members of the church who seem less important are vital to the mission.

"Less honourable." (12:23) - "Less valuable."

"Uncomely parts." (12:23) - "Unseen parts." The internal organs are not seen, but just as the less seen church members, they are important.

"Abundant comeliness." (12:23) - "Abundant modesty."

"Our comely parts have no need." (12:24) - "Our seen parts have no need (for special honor)."

"God hath tempered the body together." (12:24) - "God put the body together."

"There should be no schism in the body." (12:25) - "There should be no conflict in the body."

"Ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular." (12:27) - "You are the body of Christ and individual members." See also Romans 12:5, Ephesians 5:30, Colossians 1:18, and 1:24.

"God hath set some." (12:28) - "God has appointed some."

"Governments, diversities of tongues." (12:28) - "Church administration and different languages."

"Do all speak with tongues?" (12:30) - Paul elaborates on speaking in tongues in chapter 14.

"Covet earnestly the best gifts." (12:31) - "Desire the best gifts."

New Living Translation

1 Corinthians 12:14-31

14 Yes, the body has many different parts, not just one part.

15 If the foot says, "I am not a part of the body because I am not a hand," that does not make it any less a part of the body.

16 And if the ear says, "I am not part of the body because I am not an eye," would that make it any less a part of the body?

17 If the whole body were an eye, how would you hear? Or if your whole body were an ear, how would you smell anything?

18 But our bodies have many parts, and God has put each part just where he wants it.

19 How strange a body would be if it had only one part!

20 Yes, there are many parts, but only one body.

21 The eye can never say to the hand, "I don't need you." The head can't say to the feet, "I don't need you."

22 In fact, some parts of the body that seem weakest and least important are actually the most necessary.

23 And the parts we regard as less honorable are those we clothe with the greatest care. So we carefully protect those parts that should not be seen,

24 while the more honorable parts do not require this special care. So God has put the body together such that extra honor and care are given to those parts that have less dignity.

25 This makes for harmony among the members, so that all the members care for each other.

26 If one part suffers, all the parts suffer with it, and if one part is honored, all the parts are glad.

27 All of you together are Christ's body, and each of you is a part of it.

28 Here are some of the parts God has appointed for the church:

  first are apostles,
   second are prophets,
   third are teachers,
   then those who do miracles,
   those who have the gift of healing,
   those who can help others,
   those who have the gift of leadership,
   those who speak in unknown languages.

29 Are we all apostles? Are we all prophets? Are we all teachers? Do we all have the power to do miracles?

30 Do we all have the gift of healing? Do we all have the ability to speak in unknown languages? Do we all have the ability to interpret unknown languages? Of course not!

31 So you should earnestly desire the most helpful gifts.  But now let me show you a way of life that is best of all.

This second Bible text from the "New Living Translation" (Tyndale House, Publishers, Wheaton, Illinois) is a paraphrase and not an accurate word for word translation of the Bible. However, it is a helpful tool when read with the "King James Version."

Today's question:

1. What are the "best gifts?" (12:31)



Put the word of God in your heart, protect yourself from sin (Psalm 119:11).

Answer: (Do you agree?)

1. The "best gifts" are the most helpful gifts, like wisdom, knowledge, faith, healing by the spirit, the "working of miracles", prophecy (teaching), "discerning of spirits," speaking in tongues, (12:8-11), and the gift of being an apostle, prophet, or teacher (12:28-30).

Application thought for the day:

You are a child of God, a member of His church.
Are you living up to your responsibilities as a member of the body of Christ?
Do you celebrate the contributions of others?
Do you rejoice when others rejoice, and suffer when others suffer (Romans 12:15)?
What are your gifts?
Are you using your gifts for God?

Thanks to the writings and commentary of John Wesley and Adam Clarke. Also, "The Layman's Bible Study Notebook" by Irving Jensen published by Harvest House Publishing, Irvine, California; the "Life Change Series" published by NavPress books, Colorado Springs, Colorado; the "Life Application Study Bible" published by Tyndale House Publishing, Carol Stream, Illinois; the "Quest Study Bible" published by The Zondervan Corporation, Grand Rapids, Michigan; "Robertson's New Testament Word Studies;" "The MacArthur Bible Commentary" by John MacArthur published by Thomas Nelson, Nashville, Tennessee; "Wisdom of the Bible" CD by Topics Entertainment, Inc., Renton, Washington for their inspiring pictures; "My utmost for His Highest" by Oswald Chambers published by Barbour Publishing, Inc., Uhrichsville, Ohio; The "Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge" by Reuben Archer Torrey; "Hope For Each Day" by Billy Graham published by J. Countryman, a division of Thomas Nelson, Inc., Nashville, Tennessee; "Easton's Bible Dictionary" by Matthew George Easton; "Unger's Bible Dictionary" by Merrill F. Unger, published by Moody Press, Chicago, Illinois; "Halley's Bible Handbook" by Henry H. Halley, Zondervan Publishing House, Grand Rapids, Michigan; "The Everyday Bible" published by World Wide Publications, Minneapolis, Minnesota; "The Living New Testament" published by Tyndale house; "The New Living Translation" published by Tyndale House; "The New Testament" translated from the Latin Vulgate, published by Guild Press, New York, New York; BibleGateway.com for all their wonderful links; and of course the "King James Bible." All were critical in putting these lessons together.
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