27Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it. [12:28] And God has appointed in the assembly: first, authorized envoys; second, prophets; third, teachers; then acts of power; then gifts of healing; acts of active support; acts of skillful governance; kinds of tongues. [12:29] Are all authorized envoys? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work acts of power? [12:30] Do all possess gifts of healing? Do all speak in tongues? Do all interpret? [12:31] But earnestly desire the greater gifts. And I will show you a still more surpassing way.
1CO 12:27-31
The Greater Gifts
In the world it was spoken into
In the Corinthian context, the metaphor of the body of Christ would have resonated deeply with the communal identity of the early church, which often functioned as a surrogate family in a society structured around kinship and patronage. The mention of apostles, prophets, and teachers reflects the hierarchical yet interdependent roles within the church, mirroring the Roman civic and household structures where each member had a specific function contributing to the whole. The gifts listed—miracles, healings, helping, administrating, and tongues—were not merely spiritual abilities but practical manifestations of divine power and communal care. The emphasis on 'greater gifts' would have been understood within the honor-shame culture, where certain roles carried higher status and responsibility. The Corinthians, familiar with the competitive ethos of Greco-Roman society, might have sought these roles for personal prestige, but the passage redirects focus to the collective good and the 'more surpassing way' of love, which transcends individual ambition.
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How other translations render this
1CO 12:27
- KJV
- Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular.
- BSB
- Now you are the body of Christ, and each of you is a member of it.
- Koinōnos
- Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it.
1CO 12:28
- 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.
- BSB
- And in the church God has appointed first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then workers of miracles, and those with gifts of healing, helping, administration, and various tongues.
- Koinōnos
- And God has appointed in the assembly: first, authorized envoys; second, prophets; third, teachers; then acts of power; then gifts of healing; acts of active support; acts of skillful governance; kinds of tongues.
1CO 12:29
- KJV
- Are all apostles? are all prophets? are all teachers? are all workers of miracles?
- BSB
- Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles?
- Koinōnos
- Are all authorized envoys? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work acts of power?
1CO 12:30
- KJV
- Have all the gifts of healing? do all speak with tongues? do all interpret?
- BSB
- Do all have gifts of healing? Do all speak in tongues? Do all interpret?
- Koinōnos
- Do all possess gifts of healing? Do all speak in tongues? Do all interpret?
1CO 12:31
- KJV
- But covet earnestly the best gifts: and yet shew I unto you a more excellent way.
- BSB
- But eagerly desire the greater gifts. And now I will show you the most excellent way.
- Koinōnos
- But earnestly desire the greater gifts. And I will show you a still more surpassing way.
Only verses where the wording diverges meaningfully are shown. Identical phrasings are suppressed.
Translator's notes
1CO 12:28
- apostles,:The word translated 'apostles' here refers to those specifically sent out with a commission or message, acting as authorized representatives or envoys, much like an ambassador.
- miracles,:The word translated 'miracles' literally means 'powers' or 'abilities.' It refers to acts demonstrating divine power, not just surprising events, but manifestations of God's inherent strength.
- helping,:The word translated 'helping' carries the sense of actively taking hold of someone or something to provide support, often in a reciprocal or responsive way.
- administrating,:The word translated 'administrating' comes from the imagery of a helmsman or pilot steering a ship. It implies skillful guidance, direction, and governance, not just clerical management.