1 Corinthians 12:28
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.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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It’s easy to get hung up on the numbered list, but notice how "miracles" and "gifts of healing" are listed without a number, right after the foundational roles. This suggests they aren’t distinct "jobs" but rather dynamic manifestations of God's power that operate through people in service, not as a hierarchy of importance.
Paul is responding to divisions and boasting within the Corinthian church, arguing that just as a body has many parts working together, so too does the church. He’s listing different spiritual gifts and roles God has established, emphasizing that each is essential and divinely given for the common good, not for individual pride. This follows his explanation of the diversity of gifts given by the same Spirit and precedes his famous hymn to love, showing that even the most impressive spiritual abilities are meaningless without it.
Paul lists specific roles in the church, starting with apostles, prophets, and teachers. Why these first?
The Primacy of Foundational Ministries
Paul begins the list by highlighting roles that are crucial for establishing and nurturing the church:
These roles were essential for the church's initial formation and ongoing spiritual health, laying the groundwork for everything else that followed.
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After listing specific roles, Paul shifts to 'gifts.' What's the difference, and why does it matter?
The Spectrum of Gifts: From Miracles to Administration
Paul then moves from specific, appointed offices to broader gifts that equip believers for ministry. These fall into two main categories:
This shows that God equips a wide range of people with diverse abilities for the good of the whole body.
The core message here is that God Himself appoints these roles and gifts. What does that tell us about His plan?
God's Sovereign Hand in the Church
The repeated phrase "God has appointed" isn't just a casual observation; it's a theological statement. It means:
Understanding that God is the ultimate appointer should foster humility in those who serve and contentment in those who are served, knowing it's all part of His perfect plan for His church.
Understand the original words
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
The church in Corinth was experiencing divisions and a competitive spirit over spiritual gifts. Paul's instruction emphasizes that God sovereignly distributes these gifts for the building up of the entire body, not for individual glory.
c. AD 30-33
Jesus' Crucifixion and Resurrection
The foundational event for the church. Jesus' death and resurrection empowered his followers through the Holy Spirit.
c. AD 33
Pentecost and the Coming of the Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit descended upon the apostles, empowering them with spiritual gifts and initiating the public ministry of the church.
c. AD 30s-50s
Apostolic Ministry and Church Planting
Apostles like Paul, Peter, and others traveled widely, establishing churches throughout the Roman Empire and appointing leaders.
c. AD 49-50
Council of Jerusalem
The early church leaders addressed issues of Gentile inclusion, affirming that salvation is by grace through faith, not adherence to Jewish law.
c. AD 55-57— this verse
Paul Writes 1 Corinthians
Writing from Ephesus or possibly Macedonia, Paul addresses numerous issues within the Corinthian church, including the misuse and understanding of spiritual gifts.
c. AD 64
Great Fire of Rome
Though not directly impacting Corinth, this event under Nero led to increased persecution of Christians, highlighting the church's resilience and need for unity.
This passage echoes 1 Corinthians 12 by listing specific leadership roles God appoints within the church, such as apostles, prophets, evangelists, and pastors/teachers, highlighting the divine intention for equipping the saints.
Romans 12:6-8Similar to 1 Corinthians 12, this passage details various spiritual gifts given to believers, including prophecy, service, teaching, encouragement, giving, leadership, and mercy, emphasizing that these gifts are from God and meant to be used in community.
1 Corinthians 12:4-11This immediately preceding section in the same chapter provides the foundational concept of the diversity of spiritual gifts (gifts of the Spirit) that are all given by the same Spirit, setting the stage for the specific list of roles and gifts that follow.
Acts 13:1This verse illustrates the principle of divine appointment for specific ministries, showing Barnabas and Saul being set apart by the Holy Spirit for their missionary work, demonstrating how God directs and empowers individuals for His purposes.
It’s easy to get hung up on the numbered list, but notice how "miracles" and "gifts of healing" are listed without a number, right after the foundational roles. This suggests they aren’t distinct "jobs" but rather dynamic manifestations of God's power that operate through people in service, not as a hierarchy of importance.
Paul is responding to divisions and boasting within the Corinthian church, arguing that just as a body has many parts working together, so too does the church. He’s listing different spiritual gifts and roles God has established, emphasizing that each is essential and divinely given for the common good, not for individual pride. This follows his explanation of the diversity of gifts given by the same Spirit and precedes his famous hymn to love, showing that even the most impressive spiritual abilities are meaningless without it.
Paul is responding to divisions and boasting within the Corinthian church, arguing that just as a body has many parts working together, so too does the church. He’s listing different spiritual gifts and roles God has established, emphasizing that each is essential and divinely given for the common good, not for individual pride. This follows his explanation of the diversity of gifts given by the same Spirit and precedes his famous hymn to love, showing that even the most impressive spiritual abilities are meaningless without it.
"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." — It’s easy to get hung up on the numbered list, but notice how "miracles" and "gifts of healing" are listed without a number, right after the foundational roles. This suggests they aren’t distinct "…
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