1 Corinthians 12:27-31 (WEL) Now you are the body of Christ and individual members of it. 28 So God has set some in the congregation, first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, after that those who do miracles, then gifts of healing, helps, moderators, and different languages. 29 Are all apostles, all prophets, all teachers, all miracle workers? 30 Do all have the gifts of healing? Not all speak other languages, do they? Not all interpret, do they? 31 But greatly desire the best gifts, and yet I show you a more excellent way.
V27 Now you are the body of Christ and individual members of it.
The body of Christ consists of all believers from Pentecost to the Rapture. Each believer has gifts and a ministry. The ministry might be at home, at work, in daily life, shopping, selling, etc. We are to be aware for opportunities. God will teach us. We need each other. We need to attend fellowship and minister to one another.
V28 So God has set some in the congregation, first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, after that those who do miracles, then gifts of healing, helps, moderators, and different languages.
These are the church offices beginning from most honorable to lesser.
(Ryrie Study Bible Notes) “The gifts are ranked in order of honor. The Corinthians were dislodging the more important gifts by promoting of the spectacular gift of tongues.”
V29 Are all apostles, all prophets, all teachers, all miracle workers?
Paul has compared the church (believers) to members of the body. Now, he lists some of them. The answer to Paul’s question is no because each member has gifts and service.
Joseph Benson: “Are all the members or ministers of the church apostles, etc.? Seeing God has not given all sorts of gifts to one, but some to one, and others to another, that each one might stand in need of the others; therefore, let none despise another, but all join together in employing their gifts for the common good of the church. But covet earnestly the best gifts—For they are well worth your desire and pursuit, though but few of you can attain them; and yet I show you a more excellent way — I point out unto you a more excellent gift than any or all of them, and one which all may, yea, must attain, or perish.”
V30 Do all have the gifts of healing? Not all speak other languages, do they? Not all interpret, do they?
The point is that every believer has a work to do in service to our Lord Jesus.
V31 But greatly desire the best gifts, and yet I show you a more excellent way.
What is greater than these offices and gifts is found in the next chapter. We are to desire the best gifts, not the least. Some of the Corinthians sought the gift of languages first.
(Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown Commentary) Greek, “emulously desire.” Not in the spirit of discontented “coveting.” The Spirit “divides to every man severally as He will” (1Co 12:1); but this does not prevent men earnestly seeking, by prayer and watchfulness, and cultivation of their faculties, the greatest gifts.
The Greek word for covet/greatly desire is ζηλόω zēlóō (G2206), which means zeal and zeal to seek something. It is used in an evil sense of a sociopath but also used in a good sense as here.
We seek and desire the best gifts by prayer, Bible study, and seeking and doing service. May God increase our gifts and service.
We learn:
• How the body of Christ has many different members with a variety of service gifts.
• Tongues and miracle service are least, so seek the best.
Questions:
• Are you using your spiritual gifts?
• Are you continuously preparing for the greater gifts?