1 Corinthians 12:29

29 Whether all [be] apostles? whether all [be] prophets? Whether all teachers? whether all works of power?

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 And ye be the body of Christ, and members of member. [Forsooth ye be the body of Christ, and members of members.]

28 But God set some men in the church, first apostles, the second time prophets [And soothly God put some in the church, first apostles, the second prophets], the third teachers, afterward works of power, afterward graces of healings, helpings, governings, kinds of languages, interpretations of words.

29 Whether all [be] apostles? whether all [be] prophets? Whether all teachers? whether all works of power?

30 whether all have grace of healings? whether all speak with languages? whether all expound [whether all interpret, or expound]?

31 But follow ye the better ghostly gifts. And yet I show to you a more excellent way.