1 Corinthians 12:29

29 Not all [are] apostles, [are they]? Not all [are] prophets, [are they]? Not all [are] teachers, [are they]? Not all [are workers of] miracles, [are they]?

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 Now you are the body of Christ, and members {of it individually},

28 and whom God has appointed in the church: first, apostles, second, prophets, third, teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healing, helps, administrations, kinds of tongues.

29 Not all [are] apostles, [are they]? Not all [are] prophets, [are they]? Not all [are] teachers, [are they]? Not all [are workers of] miracles, [are they]?

30 Not all have gifts of healing, [do they]? Not all speak with tongues, [do they]? Not all interpret, [do they]?

31 But strive for the greater gifts. And I will show you a still more excellent way.

Footnotes

• [a]. *The negative construction in Greek anticipates a negative answer here
• [b]. *The negative construction in Greek anticipates a negative answer here
• [c]. *The negative construction in Greek anticipates a negative answer here
• [d]. *The negative construction in Greek anticipates a negative answer here