Have all the gifts of healing? do all speak with tongues? do all interpret?

1 CORINTHIANS 12:30KJV
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1 Corinthians 12:30 (KJV)

What does 1 Corinthians 12:30 mean?

1 Corinthians 12:30 is Paul’s way of asking whether every believer has the same spiritual gifts, such as healing, speaking in tongues, or interpreting tongues, and the implied answer is “no.” Paul is making it clear that not everyone in the church receives the same spiritual abilities.

Paul is writing to the Christians in Corinth, addressing confusion and pride about spiritual gifts in their community. In this verse, Paul uses a series of rhetorical questions to show that God gives different gifts to different people. This helps the church understand that diversity of gifts is normal and that no single gift is given to everyone.

The Greek behind 1 Corinthians 12:30

  • "All" (πάντες, pantes, G3956) is repeated several times, emphasizing that Paul is talking about the entire group, not just a few individuals. This word underlines the point that not everyone receives each gift.
  • "Gifts" (χαρίσματα, charismata, G5486) refers specifically to spiritual gifts—abilities given by God’s grace, not earned or chosen by the person.
  • "Healing" (ἰαμάτων, iamatōn, G2386) points to acts of supernatural healing, which some in Corinth may have considered especially important or prestigious.
  • "Tongues" (γλώσσαις, glōssais, G1100) means speaking in languages not learned naturally, a gift that was highly valued in the Corinthian church.
  • "Interpret" (διερμηνεύουσιν, diermēneuousin, G1329) means to explain or translate what is spoken in tongues, showing that even among those who speak in tongues, not all can interpret.

Why 1 Corinthians 12:30 matters

  • This verse clears up the misunderstanding that every Christian should have the same spiritual experiences or gifts, especially those that seem more dramatic or visible.
  • Paul’s questions highlight that spiritual gifts are distributed by God’s choice, not human effort, which encourages humility and appreciation for different roles in the church.
  • This verse fits into Paul’s larger teaching in 1 Corinthians 12 about the church as a body with many parts, each needed and valuable in its own way.

Where else these words appear

“healing” Greek G2386 · used in 3 verses

  • 1 Corinthians 12:9 To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit;
  • 1 Corinthians 12:28 And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues.

“interpret” Greek G1329 · used in 6 verses

  • Luke 24:27 And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself.
  • Acts 9:36 Now there was at Joppa a certain disciple named Tabitha, which by interpretation is called Dorcas: this woman was full of good works and almsdeeds which she did.
  • 1 Corinthians 14:13 Wherefore let him that speaketh in an unknown tongue pray that he may interpret.

“gifts” Greek G5486 · used in 17 verses

  • Romans 1:11 For I long to see you, that I may impart unto you some spiritual gift, to the end ye may be established;
  • Romans 12:6 Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith;
  • 1 Corinthians 12:28 And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues.

“tongues” Greek G1100 · used in 47 verses

  • Mark 7:33 And he took him aside from the multitude, and put his fingers into his ears, and he spit, and touched his tongue;
  • 1 Corinthians 13:1 Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal.
  • 1 Corinthians 14:39 Wherefore, brethren, covet to prophesy, and forbid not to speak with tongues.