body of Christσῶμα τοῦ Χριστοῦ
sōma tou Christou · Greek Noun Phrase
A metaphor representing the worldwide assembly of believers, with Christ as the Head. It emphasizes the inseparable union between Christ and His people and the interdependence of believers upon one another.
churchἐκκλησία
ekklēsia · Greek Noun
A group of people called out by God to be His people. It refers both to the universal assembly of all believers and to local manifestations of that assembly.
apostlesἀπόστολος
apostolos · Greek Noun
Literally 'one sent forth.' In the New Testament, it refers primarily to the foundational leaders commissioned directly by Jesus to witness to His resurrection and establish the doctrine of the church.
prophetsπροφήτης
prophētēs · Greek Noun
One who speaks under the direct inspiration of the Holy Spirit to reveal God’s will or communicate a message from God to His people. In the apostolic era, this included the proclamation of new revelation.
teachersδιδάσκαλος
didaskalos · Greek Noun
One who instructs others in the truth of God’s Word. The ministry involves explaining, interpreting, and applying Scripture to facilitate spiritual maturity.
miraclesδύναμις
dynamis · Greek Noun
Supernatural events or acts performed by divine power that transcend natural laws. These serve as signs to authenticate the message of the Gospel and manifest the power of God.
gifts of healingχάρισμα ἰαμάτων
charisma iamatōn · Greek Noun Phrase
The supernatural ability granted by the Holy Spirit to minister restoration or wholeness to those who are physically or emotionally ill, serving as a sign of God’s compassion and power.
helpingἀντίλημψις
antilēmpsis · Greek Noun
A spiritual gift characterized by the ability to assist, support, or relieve others. It reflects the heart of service modeled by Christ.
administratingκυβέρνησις
kybernēsis · Greek Noun
The spiritual ability to steer, guide, or govern the affairs of the church. It involves organizing the body effectively to fulfill its mission.
tonguesγλῶσσα
glōssa · Greek Noun
A spiritual gift involving the utterance of speech not learned by the speaker, used for prayer or praise to God. It is a sign of the Spirit's presence and power.
interpretἑρμηνεία
hermēneia · Greek Noun
The spiritual ability to explain or clarify the meaning of an utterance given in a tongue, ensuring that the congregation is edified by the message.
earnestly desireζηλόω
zēloō · Greek Verb
A strong, active, and persistent longing or zeal for something. In a biblical context, it refers to the focused ambition of a believer to pursue spiritual maturity and the manifestation of God's grace.
giftsχάρισμα
charisma · Greek Noun
Refers to spiritual endowments or capacities granted by the Holy Spirit to believers for the edification of the church. These are not inherent talents but manifestations of grace designed to serve the body of Christ.
higherκρείττων
kreittōn · Greek Adjective
Comparative adjective indicating that which is of greater value, importance, or spiritual significance. It denotes a ranking of priority concerning the manifestation of the Spirit's power in the life of the believer.
wayὁδός
hodos · Greek Noun
Denotes a path, journey, or manner of living. Biblically, it often refers to the lifestyle or moral trajectory that characterizes one who follows the teachings of Christ.
still more excellentὑπερβολή
hyperbolē · Greek Noun (adverbial construction)
Used here to describe the 'way' of love, suggesting an outcome or state that is surpassing, superior, and of incomparable worth compared to all other pursuits.
