1 Corinthians 12:11
But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will.
Study Note
Study Note
The declaration that spiritual gifts are distributed by 'that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will' establishes divine sovereignty rather than human strategy as the governing principle of charismatic distribution. The verse concludes a section (verses 4-11) that three times asserts unity of source (one Spirit, one Lord, one God) behind the diversity of gifts — a Trinitarian grammar of charismata that grounds ecclesial diversity in the divine life itself. The phrase 'as he will' (kathos bouletai) attributes personal will to the Spirit, supporting the full personhood of the Spirit against any tendency to treat him as an impersonal force. Romans 12:6 ('having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us') and 1 Peter 4:10 ('as every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another') develop the same diversity-in-unity theology.
Other Translations
but all these worketh the one and the same Spirit, dividing to each one severally even as he will.
and all these doth work the one and the same Spirit, dividing to each severally as he intendeth.
But all these are the operations of the one and the same Spirit, giving to every man separately as his pleasure is.
Cross References
Is it not lawful for me to do what I will with mine own? Is thine eye evil, because I …
Even so, Father: for so it seemed good in thy sight.
And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all.
Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit.
But as God hath distributed to every man, as the Lord hath called every one, so let him walk. And …
For I would that all men were even as I myself. But every man hath his proper gift of God, …
God also bearing them witness, both with signs and wonders, and with divers miracles, and gifts of the Holy Ghost, …
Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits …
But we will not boast of things without our measure, but according to the measure of the rule which God …
But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ.