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.
• 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.
• New Living Translation (NLT)Here are some of the parts God has appointed for the church: first are apostles, second are prophets, third are teachers, then those who do miracles, those who have the gift of healing, those who can help others, those who have the gift of leadership, those who speak in unknown languages.

Context of 1 Corinthians 12:28

26If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it. 27Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it. 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. 29Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles? 30Do all have gifts of healing? Do all speak in 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 12:7Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good.
• Luke 6:14Simon (whom he named Peter), his brother Andrew, James, John, Philip, Bartholomew,
• Acts 13:1Now in the church at Antioch there were prophets and teachers: Barnabas, Simeon called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen (who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch) and Saul.
• Acts 20:28Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Be shepherds of the church of God, which he bought with his own blood.
• Romans 12:6We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith;
• Ephesians 2:20built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone.
• Ephesians 3:5which was not made known to people in other generations as it has now been revealed by the Spirit to God’s holy apostles and prophets.
• Ephesians 4:11So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers,
• Hebrews 13:17Have confidence in your leaders and submit to their authority, because they keep watch over you as those who must give an account. Do this so that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be of no benefit to you.
• 1 Peter 5:1To the elders among you, I appeal as a fellow elder and a witness of Christ’s sufferings who also will share in the glory to be revealed:
• Numbers 11:17I will come down and speak with you there, and I will take some of the power of the Spirit that is on you and put it on them. They will share the burden of the people with you so that you will not have to carry it alone.
• Romans 12:8if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.
• 1 Timothy 5:17The elders who direct the affairs of the church well are worthy of double honor, especially those whose work is preaching and teaching.
• 1 Corinthians 12:10to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of tongues, and to still another the interpretation of tongues.
• Acts 2:8Then how is it that each of us hears them in our native language?

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