1 Corinthians 12 · Verse 5

1 Corinthians 12:5

And there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord.
1 Corinthians 12:5, King James Version

1 Corinthians 12:5 in other translations

BSBThere are different ministries, but the same Lord.
WEBThere are various kinds of service, and the same Lord.
ASVAnd there are diversities of ministrations, and the same Lord.
YLTand there are diversities of ministrations, and the same Lord;
DARBYand there are distinctions of services, and the same Lord;
BBEAnd there are different sorts of servants, but the same Lord.
WebsterAnd there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord.

What does 1 Corinthians 12:5 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on 1 Corinthians 12:5-6
5-6. "Gifts" (1Co 12:4), "administrations" (the various functions and services performed by those having the gifts, compare 1Co 12:28), and "operations" (the actual effects resulting from both the former, through the universally operative power of the one Father who is "above all, through all, and in us all"), form an ascending climax [Henderson, Inspiration]. same Lord--whom the Spirit glorifies by these ministrations [Bengel].

Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown, 1871 · public domain

Barnes' Notes
Verse 5. Of administrations. Marg., Ministries. The word properly denotes ministries; so that there are different ranks and grades in the ministries which Christ has appointed, to wit, those specified in 1Cor 12:9,10,28.

But the same Lord. This refers evidently to the Lord Jesus, by whom these various orders of ministers were appointed, and under whose control they are. Acts 1:24. Comp. Eph 4:5. The term Lord, when it stands by itself in the New Testament, usually refers to the Lord Jesus, the name by which he was commonly known by the disciples. See Jn 20:25. The fact also that this stands between the mention of the work of the Spirit (1Cor 4:4) and the work of God, (1Cor 12:6,) and the fact that to the Lord Jesus appertained the appointment of these various grades of officers in the church, (comp. Mt 10:1, Lk 10:1, seq. is further proof that this refers to him. The design of the verse is to show that all these offices had their appointment from him; and that since all were his appointment, and all were necessary, no one should be proud of an elevated station; no one should be depressed, or feel himself degraded, because he had been designated to a more humble office.

(1) "administrations" "ministries"

Albert Barnes, 1834 · public domain

Adam Clarke's Commentary
Verse 5 Differences of administrations - Διακονιων· Various offices in the Church, such as apostle, prophet, and teacher; under which were probably included bishop or presbyter, pastor, deacon, etc.; the qualifications for such offices, as well as the appointments themselves, coming immediately from the one Lord Jesus Christ.

Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on 1 Corinthians 12:1-11

Spiritual gifts were extraordinary powers bestowed in the first ages, to convince unbelievers, and to spread the gospel. Gifts and graces greatly differ. Both were freely given of God. But where grace is given, it is for the salvation of those who have it. Gifts are for the advantage and salvation of others; and there may be great gifts where there is no grace. The extraordinary gifts of the Holy Spirit were chiefly…

Read the full comment on 1 Corinthians 12:1-11 →

1 Corinthians 12:5 in the original Greek

Word-by-word with transliteration, English gloss and Strong's number. Tap a number for the full definition and every place the word is used.

καὶkaiandG2532
διαιρέσειςdiaireseisvarietiesG1243
διακονιῶνdiakoniōnof servicesG1248
εἰσιν,eisinthere are,G1510
καὶkaibutG2532
ὁhotheG3588
αὐτὸςautossameG846
κύριος·kuriosLord;G2962

Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).

Cross references for 1 Corinthians 12:5

  • Ephesians 4:11-12

    And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:

  • Romans 14:8-9

    For whether we live, we live unto the Lord; and whether we die, we die unto the Lord: whether we live therefore, or die, we are the Lord’s. For to this end Christ both died, and rose, and revived, that he might be Lord both of the dead and living.

  • Romans 12:6-8

    Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith; Or ministry, let us wait on our ministering: or he that teacheth, on teaching; Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness.

  • 1 Corinthians 8:6

    But to us there is but one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we in him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we by him.

  • Matthew 23:10

    Neither be ye called masters: for one is your Master, even Christ.

  • 1 Corinthians 12:28-29

    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. Are all apostles? are all prophets? are all teachers? are all workers of miracles?

  • Philippians 2:11

    And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

  • Acts 10:36

    The word which God sent unto the children of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ: (he is Lord of all:)

Ranked by reader votes · OpenBible.info cross references (CC BY).

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
administrations. or, ministries.
28,29; Ro 12:6-8; Eph 4:11,12
but.
8:6; Mt 23:10; Ac 10:36; Ro 14:8,9; Php 2:11

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (Samuel Bagster, c. 1836) · public domain

Context

  • 1 Corinthians 12:4

    Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit.

  • 1 Corinthians 12:5

    And there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord.

  • 1 Corinthians 12:6

    And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all.

Read all of 1 Corinthians 12

1 Corinthians 12:5 in other languages

Spanish
Reina-Valera 1909		Y hay repartimiento de ministerios; mas el mismo Señor es.
French
Bible J.N. Darby 1885		et il y a diversité de services, et le même Seigneur;
German
Elberfelder 1871		und es sind Verschiedenheiten von Diensten, und derselbe Herr;
Latin
Clementine Vulgate		et divisiones ministrationum sunt, idem autem Dominus: