1 Corinthians 12:29 kjv
Are all apostles? are all prophets? are all teachers? are all workers of miracles?
1 Corinthians 12:29 nkjv
Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Are all workers of miracles?
1 Corinthians 12:29 niv
Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles?
1 Corinthians 12:29 esv
Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles?
1 Corinthians 12:29 nlt
Are we all apostles? Are we all prophets? Are we all teachers? Do we all have the power to do miracles?
1 Corinthians 12 29 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Cor 12:4 | "Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit" | Diversity of gifts |
| 1 Cor 12:7 | "To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for common good" | Purpose of gifts |
| 1 Cor 12:11 | "All these are inspired by one and the same Spirit..." | Divine source of gifts |
| 1 Cor 12:13 | "...we were all baptized into one body..." | Unity in Christ |
| 1 Cor 12:18 | "But as it is, God arranged the members, each one of them, in the body..." | Divine appointment of gifts |
| 1 Cor 12:27 | "Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it." | Body of Christ metaphor |
| Rom 12:3 | "For by the grace given to me..." | Grace as basis for gifts |
| Rom 12:4-5 | "For as in one body we have many members..." | Diversity within unity |
| Eph 4:11 | "And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers..." | Specific gifted ministries |
| Eph 4:12 | "...to equip the saints for the work of ministry..." | Purpose of equipping |
| Heb 2:4 | "while God also bore witness by signs and wonders and various miracles, and by gifts of the Holy Spirit distributed according to his will." | God's role in distributing gifts |
| Acts 1:8 | "But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you..." | Spirit's empowering |
| John 3:34 | "For he whom God has sent utters the words of God, for he gives the Spirit without measure." | Spirit given by God |
| 1 Peter 4:10 | "As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another..." | Stewardship of gifts |
| Gal 3:28 | "There is neither Jew nor Greek..." | Unity transcending distinctions |
| Col 3:11 | "...Christ is all, and in all." | Christ as the all-encompassing head |
| 1 Cor 1:10 | "I appeal to you, brothers, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree and that there be no divisions among you..." | Plea for unity |
| 1 Cor 14:12 | "So with yourselves, since you are eager for manifestations of the Spirit, strive to excel in building up the church." | Aiming for edification |
| Eph 2:10 | "For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works..." | Created for purpose |
| 1 Thess 5:11 | "Therefore encourage one another and build one another up..." | Mutual encouragement |
| Phil 2:3 | "Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves." | Humility in relation to others |
1 Corinthians 12 verses
1 Corinthians 12 29 Meaning
The verse asserts that not all members of the body of Christ possess the same spiritual gift. It directly addresses the Corinthian church's disordered approach to spiritual gifts, particularly the emphasis on certain visible manifestations. It clarifies that a diversity of gifts exists within the unified body of Christ.
1 Corinthians 12 29 Context
This verse is part of a larger section in 1 Corinthians 12 dedicated to the topic of spiritual gifts (charismata). The Corinthian church was experiencing spiritual immaturity, leading to divisions and a disordered use of these gifts. Paul addresses their overemphasis on certain dramatic gifts and their potential for causing pride or division. He emphasizes that these gifts originate from the one Holy Spirit, are given for the building up of the entire body of Christ, and that all believers are unified as one body in Christ, despite having diverse roles and abilities. The preceding verses list various spiritual gifts, and this verse serves as a conclusion to that list and a foundational statement for the subsequent discussion on the supremacy of love (chapter 13).
1 Corinthians 12 29 Word Analysis
- mê (μη) - A particle used for negation, indicating "not." It directly denies that all individuals possess the same capacity or gift.
- pantes (πάντες) - The nominative plural masculine form of the adjective/pronoun "all" or "every." It signifies the entirety of the group being addressed – all believers in the body of Christ.
- apostoloi (ἀπόστολοι) - The nominative plural masculine form of "apostle." This refers to the specific foundational ministry of apostles, who were eyewitnesses of Jesus or specifically commissioned by Him, and who played a crucial role in the early church's establishment and spread of the gospel.
- prophêtai (προφῆται) - The nominative plural masculine form of "prophet." Prophets were those who spoke forth God's message, often with an element of foretelling, but primarily delivering divinely inspired revelation and exhortation.
- didaskaloi (διδάσκαλοι) - The nominative plural masculine form of "teacher." Teachers are those gifted to explain, expound, and apply God's Word effectively, imparting knowledge and understanding.
- dunamis (δυνάμεις) - The accusative plural feminine form of "powers" or "miracles." This refers to supernatural abilities and acts of power often associated with the working of the Holy Spirit.
- echein (ἔχειν) - The present active infinitive of "to have" or "to possess." It indicates the ongoing state or possession of these various capacities.
- Mê (μη) - Again, a particle of negation, emphasizing the diversity and exclusivity of roles.
Group of words analysis:
- "Are all apostles?" (mê pantes apostoloi) - This is a rhetorical question, implying a negative answer. It challenges the notion that everyone occupies the highest or most visible apostolic office.
- "Are all prophets?" (mê pantes prophêtai) - Similar to the above, it questions if every believer functions as a prophet.
- "Are all teachers?" (mê pantes didaskaloi) - This extends the principle to the gift of teaching, asserting that not all are endowed with this specific ability.
- "Are all workers of miracles?" (mê pantôn dunamis) - This phrase points to the charismatic gifts of performing mighty deeds, again questioning universal possession. The phrasing implies that not all are "workers of" these miracles (energe mata dunameôn - 1 Cor 12:10) which are endowments.
1 Corinthians 12 29 Bonus Section
The structure of the verse employs a series of rhetorical questions (not fully present in verse 29, but implied by the structure that leads into it, especially the following verse) designed to make a point: just as the body has diverse parts, so the church has diverse gifts and ministries. This emphasis on "not all" sets the stage for the subsequent verses which stress the interconnectedness and equal importance of all parts of the body (1 Cor 12:12-27). It combats the idea of "greater" and "lesser" gifts by focusing on the divine apportionment and the unity they serve. The underlying message is about God's sovereign distribution of gifts for the edification of the whole, not individual boasting.
1 Corinthians 12 29 Commentary
This verse powerfully counters the Corinthian tendencies towards spiritual elitism and denominationalism based on giftedness. Paul establishes a clear principle: the body of Christ is intentionally diverse. This diversity is not an accident but a divine design. Not everyone is called to be an apostle, a prophet, a teacher, or a miracle worker. These are specific capacities within the larger organism. The significance lies in understanding that each gift has a purpose for the common good and that the value of a believer is not measured by their gift, but by their place within the body and their submission to the Head, Christ.
- Practical Application: Recognizing this principle encourages humility and discourages comparison or envy between believers. It calls for appreciation of the different roles and gifts within the church, understanding that each contributes uniquely to the overall health and ministry of the body.