Bible Strands
1 Corinthians 12:10
to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in various tongues, and to still another the interpretation of tongues.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Paul writes to the Corinthian church to catalog spiritual manifestations immediately after listing faith and healing. He addresses the congregation at a moment when their assembly requires clear boundaries for how divine power operates among them.
The words — The Greek ἄλλῳ (allō) repeats to mark each distinct recipient, while ἐνεργήματα δυνάμεων (energēmata dunameōn) literally means "working of miracles" or "miraculous works."
The thread — This verse runs alongside 1 Corinthians 14:39, which commands eagerness to prophesy and forbids forbidding tongues, and 1 John 4:1, which instructs believers to test spirits against false prophets. It also echoes Mark 16:17, which notes that signs like driving out demons and speaking in new tongues will accompany believers.
Why it lands — The text states that the Spirit distributes these manifestations to different individuals according to His own determination. It requires readers to submit to divine authority over spiritual experience rather than pursuing or demanding specific gifts.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Greek words
King James Version
To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues:
Cross-references
- 1 Corinthians 14:39 So, my brothers, be eager to prophesy, and do not forbid speaking in tongues.
- 1 John 4:1 Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God. For many false prophets have gone out into the world.
- Mark 16:17 And these signs will accompany those who believe: In My name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new tongues;
- 1 Corinthians 12:28 And in the church God has appointed first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then workers of miracles, and those with gifts of healing, helping, administration, and various tongues.
- Joel 2:28 And afterward, I will pour out My Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your old men will dream dreams, your young men will see visions.
- 1 Corinthians 14:31 For you can all prophesy in turn so that everyone may be instructed and encouraged.
- Mark 16:20 And they went out and preached everywhere, and the Lord worked through them, confirming His word by the signs that accompanied it.
- 1 Corinthians 14:26 What then shall we say, brothers? When you come together, everyone has a psalm or a teaching, a revelation, a tongue, or an interpretation. All of these must be done to build up the church.
- Galatians 3:5 Does God lavish His Spirit on you and work miracles among you because you practice the law, or because you hear and believe?
- 1 Corinthians 14:1 Earnestly pursue love and eagerly desire spiritual gifts, especially the gift of prophecy.