Devine Scripture

1 Corinthians 12:10

What does 1 Corinthians 12:10 mean?

A plain-English look at 1 Corinthians 12:10 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What 1 Corinthians 12:10 means

Paul continues the list: workings of miracles, prophecy, discernings of spirits, kinds of tongues, and interpretation of tongues. Miracles are extraordinary acts of power; prophecy is Spirit-given speech that edifies, exhorts, and consoles in alignment with God’s truth; discerning of spirits tests what is genuinely from God; tongues are Spirit-enabled speech in unlearned languages; interpretation renders such speech intelligible for the church’s benefit. Together these gifts show God’s ability to reveal, verify, and communicate His will. They require wise, orderly use so that the church is built up. None exists for spectacle; all exist to serve Christ’s people.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

and to another workings of miracles; and to another prophecy; and to another discernings of spirits: to another divers kinds of tongues; and to another the interpretation of tongues:

KJV

King James Version · 1611

To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues:

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

and to another workings of miracles; and to another prophecy; and to another discernings of spirits: to another divers kinds of tongues; and to another the interpretation of tongues:

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And to another the power of working wonders; and to another the prophet's word; and to another the power of testing spirits; to another different sorts of tongues; and to another the power of making clear the sense of the tongues:

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

and to another in-workings of mighty deeds; and to another prophecy; and to another discernings of spirits; and to another <FI>divers<Fi> kinds of tongues; and to another interpretation of tongues:

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

To another the working of miracles: to another, prophecy: to another, the discerning of spirits: to another, diverse kinds of tongues: to another, interpretation of speeches.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

and to another operations of miracles; and to another prophecy; and to another discerning of spirits; and to a different one kinds of tongues; and to another interpretation of tongues.

Context

This verse completes the illustrative catalog begun in verses 8–9. The list is broad, highlighting revelation, power, and communication gifts. Paul’s concern is not to rank them here but to show their diversity. Verse 11 will close the section by attributing all these gifts to the one Spirit, who decides their distribution. With that foundation, verses 12–27 will shift to the body analogy, applying the principle of diversity-in-unity to the church’s life and correcting both inferiority and superiority attitudes.

v.9to another faith, in the same Spirit; and to another gifts of healings, in the one Spirit;

v.10This passage

v.11but all these worketh the one and the same Spirit, dividing to each one severally even as he will.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Joel 2:28

    And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my Spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions:

  • 2 Peter 1:20

    knowing this first, that no prophecy of scripture is of private interpretation.

  • 1 Corinthians 13:8

    Love never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall be done away; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall be done away.

  • John 14:12

    Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto the Father.

  • John 16:13

    Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he shall guide you into all the truth: for he shall not speak from himself; but what things soever he shall hear, these shall he speak: and he shall declare unto you the things that are to come.

  • Acts 19:6

    And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Spirit came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied.

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