1 Corinthians 12:13

For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, slave or free, and we were all given one Spirit to drink.

Berean Standard Bible

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Study note

Setting — Paul addresses the Corinthian church to explain how diverse members function together as a single organism under Christ. He speaks during a broader discussion on spiritual gifts and the nature of the church.

The words — The text employs ἐν ἑνὶ πνεύματι (en heni pneumati), meaning "in one Spirit," where ἑνὶ (heni) modifies only the dative πνεύματι. The preposition εἰς (eis) separately governs ἓν σῶμα (hen soma), translating literally as "into one body."

The thread — This unifying theme appears in Ephesians 4:5 with "one baptism," Galatians 3:28 with "all one in Christ Jesus," and Colossians 3:11 where "Christ is all and in all."

Why it lands — The text states that a single Spirit baptizes all believers into one body regardless of ethnic or social division, and simultaneously gives that same Spirit to drink. It requires readers to recognize that spiritual unity precedes and overrides human categories.

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

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.

Cross-references

Ephesians 4:5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism;
Galatians 3:28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.
Colossians 3:11 Here there is no Greek or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave, or free, but Christ is all and is in all.
John 7:37 On the last and greatest day of the feast, Jesus stood up and called out in a loud voice, “If anyone is thirsty, let him come to Me and drink.
Romans 6:3 Or aren’t you aware that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death?
1 Peter 3:21 And this water symbolizes the baptism that now saves you also—not the removal of dirt from the body, but the pledge of a clear conscience toward God—through the resurrection of Jesus Christ,
Acts 1:5 For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.”
Luke 3:16 John answered all of them: “I baptize you with water, but One more powerful than I will come, the straps of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire.
Ephesians 2:11 Therefore remember that formerly you who are Gentiles in the flesh and called uncircumcised by the so-called circumcision (that done in the body by human hands)—
Titus 3:4 But when the kindness of God our Savior and His love for mankind appeared,