1 Corinthians 12:28

 1 Corinthians 12:28

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.

a. ASV:  And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondly prophets, thirdly teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, divers kinds of tongues.   [Thomas Nelson & Sons first published the American Standard Version in 1901. This translation of the Bible is in the public domain.]

b. YLT: And some, indeed, did God set in the assembly, first apostles, secondly prophets, thirdly teachers, afterwards powers, afterwards gifts of healings, helpings, governings, divers kinds of tongues;  [The Young's Literal Translation was translated by Robert Young, who believed in a strictly literal translation of God's word. This version of the Bible is in the public domain.]

c. Classic Amplified: So God has appointed some in the church [[f]for His own use]: first apostles (special messengers); second prophets (inspired preachers and expounders); third teachers; then wonder-workers; then those with ability to heal the sick; helpers; administrators; [speakers in] different (unknown) tongues.  [Amplified Bible, Classic Edition (AMPC) Copyright © 1954, 1958, 1962, 1964, 1965, 1987 by The Lockman Foundation]

d. Peshitta Eastern Text: For God has set in his church, first apostles; after them, prophets; then teachers, then performers of miracles, then those who have the gift of healing, helpers, leaders, and speakers in diverse languages.  [HOLY BIBLE FROM THE ANCIENT EASTERN TEXT. Copyright  Ⓒ 1933 by A.J. Holmon Co.; copyright  Ⓒ renewed 1968 by A.J. Holmon Co.; All rights reserved. Printed in the United States of America. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews. HarperCollins Publishers, 195 Broadway, New York, NY 10007.]

e. 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.  [Scripture quotations marked (NLT) are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2007. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.]

1. “And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers…”

a. And [Strong: 2532 kaí, kahee; apparently, a primary particle, having a copulative and sometimes also a cumulative force; and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words:—and, also, both, but, even, for, if, or, so, that, then, therefore, when, yet.

b. [Strong: 3739  hós, hos; probably a primary word (or perhaps a form of the article G3588); the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that:—one, (an-, the) other, some, that, what, which, who(-m, -se), etc.]

c. [Strong: 3588. [ho] ὁ ho ho, including the feminine he hay, and the neuter to to in all their inflections; the definite article; the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in English idiom):--the, this, that, one, he, she, it, etc.] [Thayer: [ho] ὁ, ἡ, τό, originally τος, τῇ, τό (as is evident from the forms τοι, ται for οἱ, αἱ in Homer and the Ionic writings), corresponds to our definite article the (German der, die, das), which is properly a demonstrative pronoun, which we see in its full force in Homer, and of which we find certain indubitable traces also in all kinds of Greek prose, and hence also in the N. T.] [Additional variants: tē, hoi, oi, tēn, ta, tēs, tois, tais, tō, tōn, tou, Hē, hé  hē, hai, tas.]

d. God [Strong: 2316 theós, theh'-os; of uncertain affinity; a deity, especially (with G3588) the supreme Divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very:—X exceeding, God, god(-ly, -ward).

d. [hath] set [Strong: 5087 títhēmi, tith'-ay-mee; a prolonged form of a primary θέω théō theh'-o (which is used only as alternate in certain tenses); to place (in the widest application, literally and figuratively; properly, in a passive or horizontal posture, and thus different from G2476, which properly denotes an upright and active position, while G2749 is properly reflexive and utterly prostrate):—+ advise, appoint, bow, commit, conceive, give, × kneel down, lay (aside, down, up), make, ordain, purpose, put, set (forth), settle, sink down.]

e. some [Strong: 3303 mén, men; a primary particle; properly, indicative of affirmation or concession (in fact); usually followed by a contrasted clause with G1161 (this one, the former, etc.):—even, indeed, so, some, truly, verily. Often compounded with other particles in an intensive or asseverative sense.]

f. in [Strong: 1722 en, en; a primary preposition denoting (fixed) position (in place, time or state), and (by implication) instrumentality (medially or constructively), i.e. a relation of rest (intermediate between G1519 and G1537); "in," at, (up-)on, by, etc.:—about, after, against, + almost, × altogether, among, × as, at, before, between, (here-)by (+ all means), for (… sake of), + give self wholly to, (here-)in(-to, -wardly), × mightily, (because) of, (up-)on, (open-)ly, × outwardly, one, × quickly, × shortly, (speedi-)ly, × that, × there(-in, -on), through(-out), (un-)to(-ward), under, when, where(-with), while, with(-in). Often used in compounds, with substantially the same import; rarely with verbs of motion, and then not to indicate direction, except (elliptically) by a separate (and different) preposition.]

g. the [Strong: 3588. [tē] ὁ ho ho, including the feminine he hay, and the neuter to to in all their inflections; the definite article; the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in English idiom):--the, this, that, one, he, she, it, etc.] [Thayer: [tē] ὁ, ἡ, τό, originally τος, τῇ, τό (as is evident from the forms τοι, ται for οἱ, αἱ in Homer and the Ionic writings), corresponds to our definite article the (German der, die, das), which is properly a demonstrative pronoun, which we see in its full force in Homer, and of which we find certain indubitable traces also in all kinds of Greek prose, and hence also in the N. T.] [Additional variants: tē, hoi, oi, tēn, ta, tēs, tois, tais, tō, tōn, tou, Hē, hé  hē, hai, tas.]

h. church [Strong: 1577 ekklēsía, ek-klay-see'-ah; from a compound of G1537 and a derivative of G2564; a calling out, i.e. (concretely) a popular meeting, especially a religious congregation (Jewish synagogue, or Christian community of members on earth or saints in heaven or both):—assembly, church.]

i. first [Strong: 4412 prōton, pro'-ton; neuter of G4413 as adverb (with or without G3588); firstly (in time, place, order, or importance):—before, at the beginning, chiefly (at, at the) first (of all).]

j. apostles [Strong: 652 apóstolos, ap-os'-tol-os; from G649; a delegate; specially, an ambassador of the Gospel; officially a commissioner of Christ ("apostle") (with miraculous powers):—apostle, messenger, he that is sent.]

k. secondarily [Strong: 1208 deúteros, dyoo'-ter-os; as the comparative of G1417; (ordinal) second (in time, place, or rank; also adverb):—afterward, again, second(-arily, time).]

l. prophets [Strong: 4396 prophḗtēs, prof-ay'-tace; from a compound of G4253 and G5346; a foreteller ("prophet"); by analogy, an inspired speaker; by extension, a poet:—prophet.]

m. thirdly [Strong: 5154 trítos, tree'-tos; ordinal from G5140; third; neuter (as noun) a third part, or (as adverb) a (or the) third time, thirdly:—third(-ly).]

n. teachers [Strong: 1320 didáskalos, did-as'-kal-os; from G1321; an instructor (genitive case or specially):—doctor, master, teacher.]

2. “...after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues.”

a. after that [Strong: 1899 épeita, ep'-i-tah; from G1909 and G1534; thereafter:—after that(-ward), then.]

b. miracles [Strong: 1411 dýnamis, doo'-nam-is; from G1410; force (literally or figuratively); specially, miraculous power (usually by implication, a miracle itself):—ability, abundance, meaning, might(-ily, -y, -y deed), (worker of) miracle(-s), power, strength, violence, mighty (wonderful) work.]

c. then [Strong: 1534 eîta, i'-tah; of uncertain affinity; a particle of succession (in time or logical enumeration), then, moreover:—after that(-ward), furthermore, then.]

d. gifts [Strong: 5486 chárisma, khar'-is-mah; from G5483; a (divine) gratuity, i.e. deliverance (from danger or passion); (specially), a (spiritual) endowment, i.e. (subjectively) religious qualification, or (objectively) miraculous faculty:—(free) gift.]

e. [of] healings [Strong: 2386 íama, ee'-am-ah; from G2390; a cure (the effect):—healing.]

f. helps [Strong: 484 antílēpsis, an-til'-ape-sis; from G482; relief:—help.]

g. governments [Strong: 2941 kybérnēsis, koo-ber'-nay-sis; from κυβερνάω kybernáō (of Latin origin, to steer); pilotage, i.e. (figuratively) directorship (in the church):—government.]

h. diversities [Strong: 1085 génos, ghen'-os; from G1096; "kin" (abstract or concrete, literal or figurative, individual or collective):—born, country(-man), diversity, generation, kind(-red), nation, offspring, stock.]

i. [of] tongues [Strong: 1100 glōssa, gloce-sah'; of uncertain affinity; the tongue; by implication, a language (specially, one naturally unacquired):—tongue.]

1). Kenneth E. Hagin, Concerning Spiritual Gifts: Then there are those who profess to believe in tongues, but do not feel that tongues are necessary for all Christians. They use the argument that 1 Corinthians 12:30 says, “...do all speak in tongues?” However, one could take part of a verse of scripture,or even one entire verse of scripture out of its setting and prove anything. We have to read the entire context to see what the writer is talking about. In 1 Corinthians 12:28 Paul is talking about the ministry gifts that God has set in the church. “Apostles” is not a spiritual gift, but an office or a ministry gift. “Prophets” is not a spiritual gift, but a ministry gift. Likewise, “teachers” is not a spiritual gift, but a ministry gift to minister to the body of Christ. In the first part of this chapter, Paul dows list the spiritual gifts (1 Corinthians 12:8-10).It is certainly true that the gifts of the Spirit may be manifested through the laity, for Paul said, “But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal” (1 Corinthians 12:7). But there are those in the ministry who are equipped with the gifts of the Spirit. We do not call them spiritual gifts but, as Paul says here, that God has set ministries in the church. There are five ministries gifts. In writing to the church at Ephesus, Paul lists them. He said that when Jesus ascended on high, “He gave some, apostles; and some, prophets, and some, evangelists, and some, pastors and teachers” (Ephesians 4:11). When Paul wrote to the Corinthians about these ministry gifts, we notice that neither the ministry of an evangelist nor that of a pastor is listed (1 Corinthians 12:28. Since the pastor is the head of the church, this is included in the office of government. The working of miracles and gifts of healings are in the office of an evangelist. Philip is a type of a New Testament evangelist. “Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria, and preached Christ unto them. And the people with one accord gave heed unto these things which Philip spake, hearing and seeing the miracles which he did. For unclean spirits, crying with loud voice, came out of many that were possessed with them; and many taken with palsies, and that were lame, were healed” (Acts 8:5-7). Later on Philip was called the evangelist. If a person is a New Testament evangelist, he is equipped with supernatural gifts such as working of miracles or gifts of healings. It will take that to constitute his office. Many times we call people evangelists who are really exhorters. Paul speaks of exhorters in the book of Romans. Those who just exhort sinners to get saved, who have no working of gifts of healings or miracles or the supernatural in their lives, are not evangelists, they are exhorters. As we have pointed out, Paul is speaking about a ministry of diversities of tongues in 1 Corinthians 12:29, 30. He isn’t talking about being filled with the holy Ghost and speaking with tongues. “Are all apostles? (No) are all prophets? (No) are all teachers? (No) are all workers of miracles? (No) have all the gifts of healings? (No).” Then he said, “Do all speak with tongues? Do all interpret?” According to what he is talking about here, the answer is “No”. He is not talking about people being filled with the Holy Ghost and speaking with tongues. He is talking about ministering tongues in a public assembly with interpretation.. Everyone doesn’t do that.