1 Corinthians 12:28

The prophet announces everything from the Spirit, but the teacher also from himself: therefore he is third.

Powers both healed the sick and punished opponents, while gifts of healings only cured; therefore he places the former above the latter. And before both of these, the teacher is justly placed, who teaches by deed and word.

That is, assistance to the weak and the administration or management of the brethren's property. Although this also depends on our own effort, he calls them gifts of God, persuading us to be grateful and to look to Him, and not to be puffed up.

The gift of tongues he placed last, in order to humble those who boasted of it.

Then when he says: And God has appointed, he discusses the distinction of ministries. In regard to this he does three things: first, he assigns the order of ministries; secondly, he explains their difference (v. 29); thirdly, he tempers their affection for various ministries and …

God has appointed: so how do you oppose God? He places apostles first, because they are the distributors of all good things; second, prophets — not Old Testament ones (for they prophesied about the coming of Christ until John: Matt. 11:13), but those who after …

First apostles - Who plant the gospel in the heathen nations. Secondly prophets - Who either foretel things to come, or speak by extra-ordinary inspiration, for the edification of the church.

And God hath set some in the church,....

But the rest, however fitted to answer the great intentions of Christianity, had no such immediate regard to religion, strictly so called. Note, God does, and we should, value things according to their real worth: and the use of things is the best criterion of their real worth. Those are most valuable that best answer the highest purposes.

God 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 - Αποστολους, from απο from, and στελλο, I send; to send from one person to another, and from one place to another. Persons immediately designated by Christ, and sent by him to preach the Gospel to all mankind.

8:5-17); also, others who helped with their time and means, in the Lord's cause (compare 1Co 13:13; The Americans similarly use "helps" for "helpers." And, as instances of the latter, presbyters, or bishops, whose office it was to govern the Church (1Ti 5:17;

quarantine:debris (2026-07-29) — unbalanced-parens

IT appears, according to the Apostle Paul, in regard to the diversity of gifts which proceeded from the selfsame Spirit of God, those who gave assistance to the early Church did so in different ways. He tells us, "God has set some in the church, first apostles." These were to go from place to place founding churches and ordaining ministers. There were next, "secondarily, prophets," some of whom uttered prophecies and others were gifted in their explanation.

IT appears, according to the Apostle Paul, in regard to the diversity of gifts which proceeded from the selfsame Spirit of God, those who gave assistance to the early Church did so in different ways. He tells us, "God has set some in the church, first apostles." These were to go from place to place founding churches and ordaining ministers. There were next, "secondarily, prophets," some of whom uttered prophecies and others were gifted in their explanation. Then came, "thirdly, teachers," who were probably either pastors settled in many churches teaching the Word, or else evangelists journeying about and proclaiming the Truths of God. Then came, "after that, miracles, then gifts of healing." And the Apostle does not forget to mention another class of persons, called "helps." Now, who these people precisely were I suppose it would be very difficult, at this period of time, if not quite impossible, to tell. Some have thought that they were assistant ministers who occasionally aided settled pastors both in the pastoral work of visiting and in occasionally preaching the Word. Others have thought that they were assistant deacons, and perhaps even deaconesses, an office that most certainly was recognized in the Apostolic Churches. Others, again, have supposed these "helps" to have been attendants in the sanctuary who took care that strangers were properly accommodated, and managed those details which always must be superintended by somebody in connection with any gathering of persons for any public object whatever.

And 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 ὅυς hous, seems to mean rather whom, “and whom God hath placed in the church,” or, they whom God hath constituted in the church in the manner above mentioned are, first, apostles, etc. First, apostles - In the first rank or order; or as superior in honor and in office. He has given them the highest authority in the church; he has more signally endowed them and qualified them than he has others. Secondarily, prophets - As second in regard to endowments and importance. For the meaning of the word “prophets,” see the note on Rom 12:6. Thirdly, teachers - As occupying the third station in point of importance and valuable endowments. On the meaning of this word, and the nature of this office, see the note on Rom 12:7. After that, miracles - Power. (δυνάμεις dunameis). Those who had the power of working miracles; referred to in 1Co 12:10. Then gifts of healing - The power of healing those who were sick; see note on 1Co 12:9; compare Jas 5:14-15. Helps - (ἀντιλήμψεις antilēmpseis). This word occurs no where else in the New Testament. It is derived from ἀντιλαμβάνω antilambanō, and denotes properly, “aid, assistance, help;” and then those who render aid, assistance, or help; helpers. Who they were is not known. They might have been those to whom was entrusted the care of the poor, and the sick, and strangers, widows, and orphans, etc.; that is, those who performed the office of deacons. […]