1 Corinthians 12:30
What does 1 Corinthians 12:30 mean?
A plain-English look at 1 Corinthians 12:30 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What 1 Corinthians 12:30 means
Paul continues the rhetorical pattern: not all have gifts of healings, speak with tongues, or interpret. The expected answer is no. This further dismantles the idea that any single gift is the hallmark of spirituality. By including tongues and interpretation, which the Corinthians especially prized, Paul teaches that these gifts are neither universal nor supreme. The Spirit’s distribution is varied and wise. The health of the church depends not on everyone doing the same thing, but on each doing what God gives for the common good, in order and love.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000have all gifts of healings? do all speak with tongues? do all interpret?
KJV
King James Version · 1611Have all the gifts of healing? do all speak with tongues? do all interpret?
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901have all gifts of healings? do all speak with tongues? do all interpret?
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949Are all able to take away disease? have all the power of tongues? are all able to give their sense?
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862have all gifts of healings? do all speak with tongues? do all interpret?
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Are all workers of miracles? Have all the grace of healing? Do all speak with tongues? Do all interpret?
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890have all gifts of healings? do all speak with tongues? do all interpret?
Context
This verse completes the series of rhetorical questions begun in verse 29, reinforcing that gifts are diverse and not universally shared. With the corrective in place, Paul will in verse 31 encourage the church to desire earnestly the greater gifts, while immediately pointing to a more excellent way. The transition sets up chapter 13’s focus on love as the supreme context and content for exercising any gift. The flow moves from diversity to priority to the ethic that governs all gifts.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- 1 Corinthians 12:10
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:
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