1 Corinthians 12:28

1 Corinthians 12:28 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues.
• New International Version (NIV)And God has placed in the church first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healing, of helping, of guidance, and of different kinds of tongues.
• English Standard Version (ESV)And God has appointed in the church first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healing, helping, administrating, and various kinds of tongues.
• New King James Version (NKJV)And God has appointed these in the church: first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, administrations, varieties of tongues.

Context of 1 Corinthians 12:28

26And if one member suffers, all the parts share the suffering; if one member is honored, all rejoice with it. 27Now you [collectively] are Christ’s body, and individually [you are] members of it [each with his own special purpose and function]. So God has appointed and placed in the church [for His own use]: first apostles [chosen by Christ], second prophets [those who foretell the future, those who speak a new message from God to the people], third teachers, then those who work miracles, then those with the gifts of healings, the helpers, the administrators, and speakers in various kinds of [unknown] tongues. 29Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Are all workers of miracles? 30Do all have gifts of healing? Do all speak with tongues? Do all interpret?

1 Corinthians 12:28 word by word

καὶ οὓς μὲν ἔθετο ὁ θεὸς ἐν τῇ ἐκκλησίᾳ πρῶτον ἀποστόλους, δεύτερον προφήτας, τρίτον διδασκάλους, ἔπειτα δυνάμεις, ἔπειτα χαρίσματα ἰαμάτων, ἀντιλήμψεις, κυβερνήσεις, γένη γλωσσῶν.Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• Andκαίkai · andG2532
• Godὁho hē to · the/this/whoG3588
• Godθεόςtheos · GodG2316
• hath setτίθημιtithēmi · to placeG5087
• someὅςhos hē ho · whichG3739
• ·μένmen · on the other handG3303
• inἐνen · in/on/amongG1722
• the churchἐκκλησίαekklēsia · assemblyG1577
• firstπρῶτονprōton · firstG4412
• apostlesἀπόστολοςapostolos · apostleG652
• secondarilyδεύτεροςdeuteros · secondlyG1208
• prophetsπροφήτηςprophētēs · prophetG4396
• thirdlyτρίτοςtritos · thirdG5154
• teachersδιδάσκαλοςdidaskalos · teacherG1320
• after thatἔπειταepeita · thenG1899
• miraclesδύναμιςdunamis · powerG1411
• thenεἶταeita · thenG1534
• giftsχάρισμαcharisma · giftG5486
• of healingsἴαμαiama · healingG2386
• helpsἀντίληψιςantilēpsis · helpG484
• governmentsκυβέρνησιςkubernēsis · administrationG2941
• diversitiesγένοςgenos · family: kindG1085
• of tonguesγλῶσσαglōssa · tongueG1100

Cross-references for 1 Corinthians 12:28

• 1 Corinthians 12:7But to each one is given the manifestation of the Spirit [the spiritual illumination and the enabling of the Holy Spirit] for the common good.
• Luke 6:14Simon, whom He also named Peter, and his brother Andrew; and [the brothers] James and John; and Philip, and Bartholomew [also called Nathanael];
• Acts 13:1Now in the church at Antioch there were prophets [who spoke a new message of God to the people] and teachers: Barnabas, Simeon who was called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen who had been brought up with Herod [Antipas] the tetrarch, and Saul.
• Acts 20:28Take care and be on guard for yourselves and for the whole flock over which the Holy Spirit has appointed you as overseers, to shepherd (tend, feed, guide) the church of God which He bought with His own blood.
• Romans 12:6Since we have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, each of us is to use them accordingly: if [someone has the gift of] prophecy, [let him speak a new message from God to His people] in proportion to the faith possessed;
• Ephesians 2:20having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus Himself as the [chief] Cornerstone,
• Ephesians 3:5which in other generations was not disclosed to mankind, as it has now been revealed to His holy apostles and prophets by the [Holy] Spirit;
• Ephesians 4:11And [His gifts to the church were varied and] He Himself appointed some as apostles [special messengers, representatives], some as prophets [who speak a new message from God to the people], some as evangelists [who spread the good news of salvation], and some as pastors and teachers [to shepherd and guide and instruct],
• Hebrews 13:17Obey your [spiritual] leaders and submit to them [recognizing their authority over you], for they are keeping watch over your souls and continually guarding your spiritual welfare as those who will give an account [of their stewardship of you]. Let them do this with joy and not with grief and groans, for this would be of no benefit to you.
• 1 Peter 5:1Therefore, I strongly urge the elders among you [pastors, spiritual leaders of the church], as a fellow elder and as an eyewitness [called to testify] of the sufferings of Christ, as well as one who shares in the glory that is to be revealed:
• Numbers 11:17Then I will come down and speak with you there, and I will take away some of the Spirit who is upon you, and will put Him upon them; and they shall bear the burden of the people with you, so that you will not have to bear it all alone.
• Romans 12:8or he who encourages, in the act of encouragement; he who gives, with generosity; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy [in caring for others], with cheerfulness.
• 1 Timothy 5:17The elders who perform their leadership duties well are to be considered worthy of double honor (financial support), especially those who work hard at preaching and teaching [the word of God concerning eternal salvation through Christ].
• 1 Corinthians 12:10and to another the working of miracles, and to another prophecy [foretelling the future, speaking a new message from God to the people], and to another discernment of spirits [the ability to distinguish sound, godly doctrine from the deceptive doctrine of man-made religions and cults], to another various kinds of [unknown] tongues, and to another interpretation of tongues.
• Acts 2:8Then how is it that each of us hears in our own language or native dialect?

Commentaries on 1 Corinthians 12:28

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 28God hath set some in the Church - As God has made evident distinctions among the members of the human body, so that some occupy a more eminent place than others, so has he in the Church. And to prove this, the apostle numerates the principal offices, and in the order in which they should stand. First, apostles - , from from, and , I send; to send from one person to another, and from one place to another. Persons immediately designated by Christ, and sent…Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 28And God hath set - That is, has appointed, constituted, ordained. He has established these various orders or ranks in the church. The apostle, having illustrated the main idea that God had conferred various endowments on the members of the church, proceeds here to specify particularly what he meant, and to refer more directly to the various ranks which existed in the church. Some in the church - The word “some,” in this place ̔́ housseems to mean rather…Read the comment
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 27-31Verses 27-31 Contempt, hatred, envy, and strife, are very unnatural in Christians. It is like the members of the same body being without concern for one another, or quarrelling with each other. The proud, contentious spirit that prevailed, as to spiritual gifts, was thus condemned. The offices and gifts, or favours, dispensed by the Holy Spirit, are noticed. Chief ministers; persons enabled to interpret Scripture; those who laboured in word and doctrine…Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 28Apostles are special messengers of Christ in the world (see also Ephesians 4:11). Prophets deliver messages from God (see 1 Corinthians 12:10 and related study note; Ephesians 4:11; compare Acts 13:1–2). Teachers educate others about the faith (Romans 12:7; Ephesians 4:11; compare Acts 13:1). various tongues: See study note on 1 Corinthians 12:10.Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 2828. set ... in the church--as He has "set the members ... in the body" (1Co 12:18). first apostles--above even the prophets. Not merely the Twelve, but others are so called, for example, Barnabas, &c. (Ro 16:7). teachers--who taught, for the most part, truths already revealed; whereas the prophets made new revelations and spoke all their prophesyings under the Spirit's influence. As the teachers had the "word of knowledge," so the prophets "the word of…Read the comment

Topics related to 1 Corinthians 12:28

• Church
• Instruction
• Miracles
• Tongue
• Tongues (the Gift)

In the dictionaries

• God
• god, false god, goddess, idol, idolater, idolatrous, idolatry
• Administration
• Bond
• Covet
• Governments
• Helps
• Prophet
• Temper
• Tongues, Gift of

Commentaries on 1 Corinthians 12

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
• Tyndale Open Study Notes
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
• Calvin’s Commentaries
• John Wesley’s Notes
• Illustrated New Testament
• Burkitt’s Expository Notes
• Darby Translation Notes
• Family Bible Notes
• Geneva Bible Translation Notes
• Kingcomments
• Luther’s Commentary on Selected Bible Passages
• Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
• Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
• The People’s New Testament
• Robertson’s Word Pictures
• Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
• Original Douay–Rheims Annotations
• Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
• EGW Writings