1 Corinthians 12:13

Context

The verse belongs to 1 Corinthians, a letter Paul wrote to the church at Corinth. Chapters 12–14 deal with spiritual gifts, the gifts and abilities the Spirit bestows. In the Corinthian church, some members prized particular gifts such as speaking in tongues above others, and this was causing division. In 12:4-11 Paul says that there are diversities of gifts but the same Holy Spirit who gives them. Beginning in verse 12, he compares the church to a single body, and this verse provides the basis for that analogy. Transcending the ethnic and social boundaries between Jew and Greek, slave and free, all believers have become one body "by one Spirit."

Interpretation

• Union at conversion: Many evangelical interpreters, including those in the Reformed tradition, hold that the Spirit baptism spoken of here is received by every believer at the moment of faith. On this reading, Spirit baptism is entry into the body of Christ, not a second experience to be sought separately. These interpreters point to Paul's repeated use of the word "all" as support.
• Pentecostal readings: Many interpreters in Pentecostalism and the charismatic movement understand this verse as describing the Spirit's work of uniting believers to the body. At the same time, some distinguish this from Spirit baptism understood as empowerment, as described in passages such as Acts 1:4-5. In Korea, Full Gospel bodies such as the Korea Assemblies of God have emphasized Spirit baptism as an experience subsequent to regeneration and have identified speaking in tongues as its sign.
• Holiness readings: The Holiness tradition, which draws on Wesleyan theology, understands sanctification as a second work of grace following regeneration. This tradition has explained sanctification in connection with Spirit baptism.
• Relation to water baptism: Views also differ on whether this "baptism" refers to water baptism or to the inward work of the Spirit. Traditions that place great weight on the sacraments read water baptism and the work of the Spirit as closely bound together. Baptists and others regard the inward work of the Spirit as the reality and water baptism (by immersion) as a sign that confesses it.

Points of Debate

• Translation of the preposition: The Greek preposition en can be rendered either "by" (instrumental) or "in." Whether the Spirit is read as the agent who baptizes or as the sphere of baptism is bound up with the interpretive differences described above.
• Meaning of "made to drink into one Spirit": Most interpreters read this phrase as referring to the Spirit's indwelling of believers. Some see an allusion to the Lord's Supper, but this is a minority view.
• Connection to the debate over spiritual gifts: The verse is also discussed in the debate over cessationism and continuationism.

In the Korean Church

The verse is frequently raised when Presbyterian and other Reformed groups and Full Gospel groups exchange views on Spirit baptism. It is also cited in settings that address church unity and cooperation.

Related Passages

• 1 Corinthians 12:4-11 — The same Spirit gives a variety of gifts
• Galatians 3:26-29 — In Christ there is no distinction between Jew and Greek, slave and free
• Colossians 3:11 — A passage addressing the same theme
• Ephesians 4:3-6 — One body, one Spirit, one baptism
• Acts 1:4-5 — The promise of being baptized with the Holy Spirit