1 Corinthians 12:29

1 Corinthians 12:29 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)Are all apostles? are all prophets? are all teachers? are all workers of miracles?
• New International Version (NIV)Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles?
• English Standard Version (ESV)Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles?
• New King James Version (NKJV)Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Are all workers of miracles?

Context of 1 Corinthians 12:29

27Now you [collectively] are Christ’s body, and individually [you are] members of it [each with his own special purpose and function]. 28So 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. Are 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? 31But earnestly desire and strive for the greater gifts [if acquiring them is going to be your goal]. And yet I will show you a still more excellent way [one of the choicest graces and the highest of them all: unselfish love].

1 Corinthians 12:29 word by word

μὴ πάντες ἀπόστολοι; μὴ πάντες προφῆται; μὴ πάντες διδάσκαλοι; μὴ πάντες δυνάμεις;Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• ·μήmē · notG3361
• allπᾶςpas · allG3956
• apostlesἀπόστολοςapostolos · apostleG652
• prophetsπροφήτηςprophētēs · prophetG4396
• teachersδιδάσκαλοςdidaskalos · teacherG1320
• workers of miraclesδύναμιςdunamis · powerG1411

Cross-references for 1 Corinthians 12:29

• 1 Corinthians 12:4Now there are [distinctive] varieties of spiritual gifts [special abilities given by the grace and extraordinary power of the Holy Spirit operating in believers], but it is the same Spirit [who grants them and empowers believers].

Commentaries on 1 Corinthians 12:29

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 29Are all apostles, etc. - That is: All are not apostles, all are not prophets, etc.; God has distributed his various gifts among various persons, each of whom is necessary for the complete edification of the body of Christ. On these subjects see the notes on 1 Corinthians 12:7-10; (note).Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 29Are all apostles? … - These questions imply, with strong emphasis, that it could not be, and ought not to be, that there should be perfect equality of endowment. It was not a matter of fact that all were equal, or that all were qualified for the offices which others sustained. Whether the arrangement was approved of or not, it was a simple matter of fact that some were qualified to perform offices which others were not; that some were endowed with the…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. 29-30These rhetorical questions all expect the answer, "Of course not!" Paul gently corrects those who feel jealous of others. Believers should gratefully accept the gifts God has given them. They should not envy other gifts or consider any gifts more important than others (but see 12:31).Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 2929. Are all?--Surely not.Read the comment

Topics related to 1 Corinthians 12:29

• Instruction

In the dictionaries

• Administration
• Bond
• Covet
• Temper
• Tongues, Gift of
• Church
• Church Government
• Communion; (fellowship)
• Corinthians, First Epistle to the
• Ephesians, Epistle to the

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