Devine Scripture

1 Corinthians 12:5

What does 1 Corinthians 12:5 mean?

A plain-English look at 1 Corinthians 12:5 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What 1 Corinthians 12:5 means

There are different forms of service in the church, yet they are all carried out under the same Lord. Paul highlights that Christian ministry is not self-directed but answers to Jesus’ authority. A variety of roles—public and private, seen and unseen—exist to serve His purposes. This keeps service from becoming a platform for ego. Calling Jesus “Lord” (as in verse 3) means submitting every ministry to His rule. The diversity of ministries is not a sign of division, but an expression of the one Master assigning different tasks to His servants, all contributing to His kingdom’s work.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

And there are diversities of ministrations, and the same Lord.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

And there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

And there are diversities of ministrations, and the same Lord.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And there are different sorts of servants, but the same Lord.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

and there are diversities of ministrations, and the same Lord;

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And there are diversities of ministries. but the same Lord.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

and there are distinctions of services, and the same Lord;

Context

Verse 5 continues the triad begun in verse 4: same Spirit, same Lord, same God. The emphasis shifts from the gifts themselves to the forms of service through which they are exercised. Next, verse 6 will name the diverse operations, anchoring everything in the one God who empowers all. With unity in source and authority established, Paul will then explain the purpose of the gifts (verse 7) before listing sample gifts (verses 8–10) and attributing all to the sovereign Spirit (verse 11).

v.4Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit.

v.5This passage

v.6And there are diversities of workings, but the same God, who worketh all things in all.

Cross references

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

  • 1 Corinthians 12:28

    And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondly prophets, thirdly teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, divers kinds of tongues.

  • Romans 14:8

    For whether we live, we live unto the Lord; or whether we die, we die unto the Lord: whether we live therefore, or die, we are the Lord’s.

  • Matthew 23:10

    Neither be ye called masters: for one is your master, even the Christ.

  • Ephesians 4:11

    And he gave some to be apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;

  • Philippians 2:11

    and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

  • Romans 12:6

    And having gifts differing according to the grace that was given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of our faith;

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