1 Corinthians 12:29

29 Is everyone an apostle? Is everyone a prophet? Is everyone a teacher? Do all work 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 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?
31 But above all, you should want the more important gifts. And now I will show you the best way of all.
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