1 Corinthians 12:13 kjv
For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.
1 Corinthians 12:13 nkjv
For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body? whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free?and have all been made to drink into one Spirit.
1 Corinthians 12:13 niv
For we were all baptized by one Spirit so as to form one body?whether Jews or Gentiles, slave or free?and we were all given the one Spirit to drink.
1 Corinthians 12:13 esv
For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body ? Jews or Greeks, slaves or free ? and all were made to drink of one Spirit.
1 Corinthians 12:13 nlt
Some of us are Jews, some are Gentiles, some are slaves, and some are free. But we have all been baptized into one body by one Spirit, and we all share the same Spirit.
1 Corinthians 12 13 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Cor 12:4-6 | "Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit... varieties of service, but the same Lord... varieties of activities, but it is the same God who empowers them all in everyone." | Unity of the Trinity, diverse gifts/services/activities |
| Gal 3:28 | "There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus." | Spiritual equality in Christ, abolishing social barriers |
| Rom 12:5 | "...so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individual members of one another." | Body of Christ imagery, unity of believers |
| Eph 4:4-6 | "There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call— one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all..." | Oneness in Spirit, Lord, faith, baptism, God |
| John 1:16 | "For from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace." | Receiving fullness from Christ, common source |
| Eph 2:18 | "For through him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father." | Access to God through Christ, unity in Spirit |
| Col 3:11 | "Here there is not Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave, free; but Christ is all, and in all." | Christ's supremacy, all-encompassing presence |
| Acts 2:4 | "And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance." | Common experience of the Holy Spirit's filling |
| Rom 6:3 | "Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death?" | Baptism into Christ's death, unity in His work |
| Gal 5:25 | "If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit." | Living by the Spirit's power, unified life |
| 1 John 3:24 | "Whoever keeps his commandments abides in him, and he in him. And by this we know that he abides in us, by the Spirit whom he has given us." | Abiding in Christ through the Spirit, mutual indwelling |
| 1 Cor 1:10 | "I appeal to you, brothers, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly joined in the same mind and the same judgment." | Call for unity and agreement, avoiding divisions |
| 1 Cor 6:17 | "But the one who joins himself to the Lord with the Spirit is one spirit with him." | Union with Christ through the Spirit |
| John 4:14 | "but whoever drinks of the water that I will give him will never be thirsty again. The water that I will give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life." | Life-giving water of Christ, continuous spiritual supply |
| Eph 5:18 | "And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit." | Exhortation to be filled with the Spirit |
| Phil 2:1 | "If then there is any encouragement in Christ, any consolation from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy..." | Fellowship and participation in the Spirit |
| Rom 8:9 | "...if by any means the Spirit of God dwells in you. Anyone who does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to him." | Essentiality of the Spirit for belonging to Christ |
| 1 Cor 8:6 | "...yet for us there is one God, the Father, from whom are all things and for whom we exist, and one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom are all things and through whom we exist." | Unity in God the Father and Jesus Christ |
| Acts 1:8 | "But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you..." | Power received from the Holy Spirit |
| Gal 3:27 | "As many of you as were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ." | Baptism into Christ, identification with Him |
| 1 Pet 4:10 | "As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace." | Diversity of gifts, service to one another |
1 Corinthians 12 verses
1 Corinthians 12 13 Meaning
This verse emphasizes the unity of believers through the Holy Spirit. It states that all believers, whether Jews or Greeks, enslaved or free, have been made to drink of one Spirit. This implies a shared experience of regeneration and indwelling by the Holy Spirit, which transcends all ethnic, social, and political distinctions. This shared experience forms the basis for the unity of the body of Christ.
1 Corinthians 12 13 Context
First Corinthians chapter 12 addresses the issue of spiritual gifts within the Corinthian church. There was disunity and a lack of understanding regarding the proper use and appreciation of these gifts. Some members likely felt superior due to possessing certain gifts, leading to divisions and unhealthy comparisons. Paul's aim in this chapter is to demonstrate that while the gifts are diverse, they all originate from the same Spirit, are administered through different ministries (of Christ), and are empowered by the same God, all for the common good of the body of Christ. Verse 13 specifically addresses the fundamental unity that underlies these diverse manifestations. It explains how believers become part of this unified body through a singular spiritual experience.
1 Corinthians 12 13 Word Analysis
γάρ (gar): For, because, since. This is a conjunction introducing an explanation or reason. It connects the preceding verses about diverse gifts with the underlying unity established in this verse.
πάντας (pantas): all. Masculine accusative plural of πᾶς (pas), meaning "all," "every." It emphasizes that this experience is universal for all believers.
ἡμᾶς (hemas): us. First-person plural pronoun, objective case. Refers to the collective group of believers.
ἐβαπτίσθημεν (ebaptisthēmen): we were baptized. First-person plural, aorist passive indicative of βαπτίζω (baptizō). Baptism is a key outward sign of inward spiritual reality. The passive voice indicates that this is an action performed upon believers, pointing to God's work in bringing them into the covenant community.
εἰς (eis): in, into. Preposition indicating entrance or inclusion.
ἓν (hen): one. Neuter accusative singular of εἷς (heis), agreeing with πνεῦμα (pneuma). Underscores the singularity of the Spirit.
πνεῦμα (pneuma): Spirit. Noun referring to the Holy Spirit.
πώμα (poma): drink, beverage. This noun is not present in the verse.
Ποτοῦ (Potou): Drink. The Greek word used here is derived from a root related to drinking, specifically, that through which one drinks.
ποθεῖν (pothein): to long for, to desire. This verb is not present in the verse.
ἐπότισε (epotise): He gave to drink, He watered. Third-person singular, aorist active indicative of ποτίζω (potizō). This verb signifies providing drink or watering. It’s a passive idea, but here presented as an action that happened to believers, highlighting the impartation of the Spirit.
ἕνα (hena): one. Masculine accusative singular of εἷς (heis). Refers back to the believers who were made to drink.
Πνεῦμα (Pneuma): Spirit. Noun referring to the Holy Spirit.
Group Analysis: "For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—Jews or Greeks, slaves or free—and all were made to drink of one Spirit."
- This phrase synthesizes two significant actions: baptism by the Spirit and drinking of the Spirit.
- "by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body": This baptism signifies entry and incorporation into the body of Christ. It’s not merely water baptism, but the spiritual immersion that unites believers with Christ and with each other. The "one body" directly refers to the Church, the unified community of believers.
- "Jews or Greeks, slaves or free": These distinctions represent major social and ethnic barriers in the ancient world. Their inclusion in this spiritual unity highlights the democratizing and inclusive nature of the Gospel and the Holy Spirit's work.
- "and all were made to drink of one Spirit": This echoes the "living water" Christ offered (John 4:14) and represents the continuous, vitalizing, and nourishing work of the Spirit in the life of every believer. It signifies a shared spiritual sustenance and refreshment. The verb implies being given to drink, reinforcing the idea of a reception and impartation of the Spirit's life and power.
1 Corinthians 12 13 Bonus Section
The imagery of being "made to drink" of the Spirit is potent. It aligns with Old Testament prophecies of a renewed covenant where God would "pour out" His Spirit (Joel 2:28-29, Ezek 36:26-27). In the New Testament, Jesus presented Himself as the source of living water (John 4:10, 14) and the one who would baptize with the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:5). This verse directly links the believer's immersion into the body of Christ with a shared, internal nourishment by the Spirit, underscoring the Spirit's vital role in both initiation and ongoing sustenance of the Christian life. The contrast between the physical categories (Jew/Greek, slave/free) highlights that spiritual union through the Spirit nullifies earthly divisions, a theme strongly echoed in Galatians 3:28.
1 Corinthians 12 13 Commentary
This verse powerfully asserts the foundational unity of the Church. The Holy Spirit is the agent who immerses all believers into the singular body of Christ, transcending every dividing line like ethnicity or social status. This "baptism of the Spirit" signifies our new identity in Christ and our union with fellow believers. Furthermore, all believers "drink" of the same Spirit, meaning they are nourished and sustained by the same divine life source. This shared spiritual reality—being brought into one body and partaking of one Spirit—is the bedrock upon which all spiritual gifts operate and is the call to live in unity. It means every believer, regardless of background or giftedness, is fundamentally part of the same spiritual organism, sustained by the same Spirit.
- Practical application: Recognise every believer as a fellow member of Christ’s body, no matter their background or visible differences. Embrace unity that transcends societal divisions, remembering the common life in the Spirit shared by all.