And there are varieties of ministries, and the same Lord.
Parallel translations
- WEB There are various kinds of service, and the same Lord.
- KJV And there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord.
- BSB There are different ministries, but the same Lord.
- NKJV There are differences of ministries, but the same Lord.
- NLT There are different kinds of service, but we serve the same Lord.
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 different kinds of service, but the same Lord is served. Varied ministries unite in serving one Lord.
Overview
Continuing the pattern, Paul notes that the many forms of service in the church all serve the same Lord, Jesus. This frames the gifts as forms of ministry rather than status symbols. The unifying focus on the one Lord calls believers to use their differing roles in humble, coordinated service to Christ and his people.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 8
- Eph 4:11–12He gave some to be apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, shepherds and teachers;
- Rom 12:6–8Having gifts differing according to the grace that was given to us, if prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of our faith;
- Rom 14:8–9For if we live, we live to the Lord. Or if we die, we die to the Lord. If therefore we live or die, we are the Lord’s.
- Matt 23:10Neither be called masters, for one is your master, the Christ.
- 1 Cor 8:6yet to us there is one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we for him; and one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom are all things, and we live through him.
- 1 Cor 12:28–29God 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.
- Acts 10:36The word which he sent to the children of Israel, preaching good news of peace by Jesus Christ — he is Lord of all —
- Phil 2:11and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
Themes, concepts, people & topics
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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 12:5 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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