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1 Corinthians 12:4

Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit.
1 Corinthians 12:4 · New American Standard Bible
Parallel translations
  • WEB Now there are various kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit.
  • KJV Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit.
  • BSB There are different gifts, but the same Spirit.
  • NKJV There are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit.
  • NLT There are different kinds of spiritual gifts, but the same Spirit is the source of them all.

Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

Quick answer

There are varieties of gifts, but they come from the same Spirit. Diversity of gifts is matched by unity in their source.

Overview

Paul begins a threefold pattern emphasizing both diversity and unity: many different gifts, one Spirit who gives them. The variety in the church is intended, not a cause for rivalry. This grounds the church's harmony in the one Spirit, countering the Corinthians' competitive elevation of certain gifts over others.

Cross-references & the web

Cross-references · 7

  • 1 Pet 4:10As each has received a gift, employ it in serving one another, as good managers of the grace of God in its various forms.
  • 1 Cor 12:28God has set some in the assembly: first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracle workers, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, and various kinds of languages.
  • Rom 12:4–6For even as we have many members in one body, and all the members don’t have the same function,
  • 1 Cor 12:8–11For to one is given through the Spirit the word of wisdom, and to another the word of knowledge, according to the same Spirit;
  • Heb 2:4God also testifying with them, both by signs and wonders, by various works of power, and by gifts of the Holy Spirit, according to his own will?
  • Eph 4:4–6There is one body, and one Spirit, even as you also were called in one hope of your calling;
  • Eph 4:11He gave some to be apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, shepherds and teachers;

Themes, concepts, people & topics

Topics (3)

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Commentaries & study tools

Christ at the center

Christ crucified is the wisdom and power of God; he is our Passover sacrificed for us, the firstfruits of resurrection, the foundation on which everything is built.

How 1 Corinthians 12:4 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.

Original language

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