Study Desk

There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord.

There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone it is the same God at work.

Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ.

Even so the body is not made up of one part but of many.

But in fact God has placed the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be.

As it is, there are many parts, but one body.

while our presentable parts need no special treatment. But God has put the body together, giving greater honor to the parts that lacked it,

so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other.

If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal.

If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing.

If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing.

Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.

Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away.

but when completeness comes, what is in part disappears.

And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.

For anyone who speaks in a tongue does not speak to people but to God. Indeed, no one understands them; they utter mysteries by the Spirit.

But the one who prophesies speaks to people for their strengthening, encouraging and comfort.

Anyone who speaks in a tongue edifies themselves, but the one who prophesies edifies the church.

I would like every one of you to speak in tongues, but I would rather have you prophesy. The one who prophesies is greater than the one who speaks in tongues, unless someone interprets, so that the church may be edified.

For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my mind is unfruitful.