13 For we were all baptized by[1] 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.

Other Translations of 1 Corinthians 12:13

King James Version

13 For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, Gentiles: Gr. Greeks whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.

English Standard Version

13 For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body-- Jews or Greeks, slavesOr servants; Greek bondservants or free--and all were made to drink of one Spirit.

The Message

13 By means of his one Spirit, we all said good-bye to our partial and piecemeal lives. We each used to independently call our own shots, but then we entered into a large and integrated life in which he has the final say in everything. (This is what we proclaimed in word and action when we were baptized.) Each of us is now a part of his resurrection body, refreshed and sustained at one fountain - his Spirit - where we all come to drink. The old labels we once used to identify ourselves - labels like Jew or Greek, slave or free - are no longer useful. We need something larger, more comprehensive.

New King James Version

13 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.

New Living Translation

13 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.

Matthew Henry's Commentary on 1 Corinthians 12:13

Commentary on 1 Corinthians 12:12-26

(Read 1 Corinthians 12:12-26)

Christ and his church form one body, as Head and members. Christians become members of this body by baptism. The outward rite is of Divine institution; it is a sign of the new birth, and is called therefore the washing of regeneration, Titus 3:5. But it is by the Spirit, only by the renewing of the Holy Ghost, that we are made members of Christ's body. And by communion with Christ at the Lord's supper, we are strengthened, not by drinking the wine, but by drinking into one Spirit. Each member has its form, place, and use. The meanest makes a part of the body. There must be a distinction of members in the body. So Christ's members have different powers and different places. We should do the duties of our own place, and not murmur, or quarrel with others. All the members of the body are useful and necessary to each other. Nor is there a member of the body of Christ, but may and ought to be useful to fellow-members. As in the natural body of man, the members should be closely united by the strongest bonds of love; the good of the whole should be the object of all. All Christians are dependent one upon another; each is to expect and receive help from the rest. Let us then have more of the spirit of union in our religion.