1 Corinthians 12:11 kjv
But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will.
1 Corinthians 12:11 nkjv
But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually as He wills.
1 Corinthians 12:11 niv
All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he distributes them to each one, just as he determines.
1 Corinthians 12:11 esv
All these are empowered by one and the same Spirit, who apportions to each one individually as he wills.
1 Corinthians 12:11 nlt
It is the one and only Spirit who distributes all these gifts. He alone decides which gift each person should have.
1 Corinthians 12 11 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Cor 12:1 | "Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I would not..." | Instruction on understanding spiritual gifts. |
| 1 Cor 12:4 | "Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit." | Variety of gifts from one Spirit. |
| 1 Cor 12:5 | "And there are differences of administrations, but the..." | Diversity of service, one Lord. |
| 1 Cor 12:6 | "And there are diversities of operations, but it is..." | Different workings, one God. |
| 1 Cor 12:7 | "But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to..." | Spirit's manifestation for common profit. |
| 1 Cor 12:8 | "For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom..." | Specific examples of Spirit's gifts. |
| 1 Cor 12:9 | "To another faith by the same Spirit; and to another..." | More examples of Spirit's gifts. |
| 1 Cor 12:10 | "To another the working of miracles; and to another..." | Further examples of Spirit's gifts. |
| 1 Cor 12:12 | "For as the body is one, and hath many members, and..." | Analogy of the body for the church. |
| 1 Cor 12:13 | "For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body..." | Unity in one Spirit, Jew or Gentile, bond or free. |
| 1 Cor 12:14 | "For the body is not one member, but many." | The body's diversity of members. |
| 1 Cor 12:18 | "But now hath God set the members every one of them..." | God appointed the members. |
| 1 Cor 12:24 | "For our comely parts have no need: but God hath..." | God's arrangement for dignity. |
| 1 Cor 12:25 | "That there should be no schism in the body; but that..." | Body members caring for each other. |
| 1 Cor 12:26 | "And whether one member suffer, all the members suffer..." | Shared suffering and honor. |
| 1 Cor 12:27 | "Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular." | Believers as Christ's body. |
| 1 Cor 12:30 | "Are all apostles? are all prophets? are all teachers?..." | Rhetorical questions about unequal distribution. |
| Rom 12:3 | "For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every..." | Similar teaching on gifts in Romans. |
| Rom 12:4 | "For as we have many members in one body, and all..." | Body members function differently. |
| Rom 12:6 | "Having then gifts differing according to the grace..." | Gifts according to grace given. |
| Eph 4:11 | "And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and..." | Christ gave gifts for equipping. |
| Heb 2:4 | "God also bearing them witness, both with signs and..." | God also bore witness through gifts. |
| 1 Pet 4:10 | "As every man hath received the gift, even so minister..." | Minister gifts as faithful stewards. |
1 Corinthians 12 verses
1 Corinthians 12 11 Meaning
The Holy Spirit distributes spiritual gifts individually to each believer as He wills, enabling diverse manifestations for the common good.
1 Corinthians 12 11 Context
This verse is situated within 1 Corinthians chapter 12, which addresses the issue of spiritual gifts in the Corinthian church. There was a lack of understanding and potential disunity regarding these gifts, with some emphasizing certain gifts over others. Paul uses the analogy of the human body to illustrate the importance of diversity within unity, emphasizing that each gift, while different, originates from the same Holy Spirit and is intended for the building up of the body of Christ. The preceding verses discuss various manifestations of the Spirit, and the subsequent verses elaborate on the body analogy and the greater gifts.
1 Corinthians 12 11 Word Analysis
Αὐτός (autos): "the same." Emphasizes the singular source of all these diverse manifestations.
δὲ (de): "but," "and." A conjunctive particle indicating a contrast or continuation.
ἐν (en): "in." Locative, indicating the sphere or agency.
ἑνὶ (heni): "one." Dative case of "eis," signifying a singular unit or individual.
καὶ (kai): "and." Connective particle.
διαίρεσις (diairesis): "division," "distribution." The act of dividing or distributing. It highlights that gifts are intentionally apportioned.
χαρισμάτων (charismaton): "gifts of grace." Genitive plural of "charisma." These are divine endowments given by God's favor.
γίνεται (ginetai): "is made," "happens," "comes to pass." Present tense, passive voice of "ginomai." Indicates an ongoing process of distribution.
τῷ (to): "the." Definite article.
δὲ (de): "but," "and." Another conjunctive particle.
καὶ (kai): "and."
ἐν (en): "in."
ἐνὶ (heni): "one."
καὶ (kai): "and."
πνεύματι (pneumati): "Spirit." Dative singular of "pneuma," referring to the Holy Spirit.
διαιρεῖ (diairei): "divides," "distributes." Present tense, active voice of "diaireo." Directly states the action of the Spirit.
ἰδίᾳ (idia): "severally," "individually," "as He wills." Adverbial form of "idios," meaning "one's own" or "proper to." This is a crucial word, emphasizing sovereign and personal distribution by the Spirit.
Words-group by words-group analysis:
- "The same Spirit" (τὸ δὲ αὐτὸ πνεῦμα): This phrase directly links the diverse gifts back to their single, unified source, the Holy Spirit.
- "divides to each one severally" (διαιρεῖ ἑνὶ ἑκάστῳ ὡς βούλεται): This constitutes the core of the verse. It shows the Holy Spirit's sovereign and intentional distribution of spiritual abilities. "Each one" (ἑκάστῳ) emphasizes that no believer is excluded from receiving a gift, and "as He wills" (ὡς βούλεται) highlights the Spirit's personal choice and authority in the matter, not human preference or merit.
1 Corinthians 12 11 Bonus Section
The distribution of gifts by the Holy Spirit underscores the organic nature of the Church. Just as different organs in the body have unique functions vital to the whole, so too do various spiritual gifts contribute to the healthy functioning of the Body of Christ. The term "charisma" itself emphasizes that these abilities are unearned, given out of grace, countering any basis for boasting among believers. This verse, therefore, serves as a foundational statement against spiritual elitism and a call to unity in diversity under the sovereign guidance of the Holy Spirit.
1 Corinthians 12 11 Commentary
The Holy Spirit is the sovereign distributor of spiritual gifts. His distribution is not random but intentional, allotting specific manifestations ("gifts") to individual believers. This distribution is according to His own divine will ("as He wills"), not according to human desire, status, or perceived usefulness. The diversity of these gifts is meant to equip and serve the entire body of Christ, ensuring no single part is left without function or that any part considers itself superior. This principle combats pride and disunity, fostering mutual dependence and care within the church. The Spirit’s purpose is to equip, empower, and build up the church through these divinely given abilities.
- Practical Usage: Believers should recognize that any spiritual gift they possess is a gift from the Holy Spirit, to be used humbly for the common good, not for personal exaltation. There is no spiritual hierarchy based on the type of gift.