24 The parts that can be shown don't need special care. But God has joined together all the parts of the body. And he has given more honor to the parts that didn't have any.
25 In that way, the parts of the body will not take sides. All of them will take care of each other.
26 If one part suffers, every part suffers with it. If one part is honored, every part shares in its joy.
27 You are the body of Christ. Each one of you is a part of it.
28 First, God has appointed apostles in the church. Second, he has appointed prophets. Third, he has appointed teachers. Then he has appointed people who do miracles and those who have gifts of healing. He also appointed those able to help others, those able to direct things, and those who can speak in different kinds of languages they had not known before.
29 Is everyone an apostle? Is everyone a prophet? Is everyone a teacher? Do all work miracles?
30 Do all have gifts of healing? Do all speak in languages they had not known before? Do all explain what is said in those languages?