1 Corinthians 12:29

29 Not all believers are apostles, are they? Are all of them prophets? Do all of them teach? Do all of them perform miracles

1 Corinthians 12:29 Meaning and Commentary

1 Corinthians 12:29

Are all apostles?
&c.] No some are prophets, as distinct from apostles; and some are teachers, as distinct from them both, and some are neither: are all prophets?
no; some are apostles, above them, and some are teachers, inferior to them; and but very few there were who had that peculiar character and gift: are all teachers?
no; the far greater part of the members of churches are hearers, or persons that are taught in the word; are neither in the office of teaching, nor have they the qualifications for it. Are all workers of miracles?
no; in those early times, when the gift of doing miracles was bestowed, it was not given to all, only to some; and now there are none that are possessed of it.

1 Corinthians 12:29 In-Context

27 You are Christ's body and each of you is an individual part of it.

28 In the church God has appointed first apostles, next prophets, third teachers, then those who perform miracles, then those who have the gift of healing, then those who help others, those who are managers, and those who can speak in a number of languages.

29 Not all believers are apostles, are they? Are all of them prophets? Do all of them teach? Do all of them perform miracles

30 or have gifts of healing? Can all of them speak in other languages or interpret languages?

31 You [only] want the better gifts, but I will show you the best thing to do.