1 Corinthians 12:28

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.

Berean Standard Bible

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Study note

Setting — Paul addresses the Corinthian believers to correct their spiritual pride and factionalism by defining the divinely structured hierarchy of ministry roles. He writes as an apostle clarifying how God distributes authority and function within the local church assembly.

The words — The verb ἔθετο (etheto) literally means "has appointed" or "set in place," denoting a deliberate divine arrangement rather than human choice. The pronoun οὓς (hous) translates as "whom" or "some," directly linking this appointment to the individual members of the body introduced in the preceding verse.

The thread — This ordered distribution of spiritual offices appears again in Ephesians 4:11, where Christ gives apostles, prophets, and teachers to equip the church. Romans 12:6 and 1 Corinthians 12:18 similarly affirm that God sovereignly arranges distinct gifts and positions every member according to His design.

Why it lands — The text requires readers to acknowledge that ministry roles are divinely assigned rather than self-claimed or earned. It demands acceptance of the given order while rejecting the presumption that every believer possesses every spiritual gift.

Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.

The Greek words

King James Version

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.

Cross-references

Ephesians 4:11 And it was He who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers,
Romans 12:6 We have different gifts according to the grace given us. If one’s gift is prophecy, let him use it in proportion to his faith;
1 Corinthians 12:18 But in fact, God has arranged the members of the body, every one of them, according to His design.
1 Corinthians 12:7 Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good.
1 Timothy 5:17 Elders who lead effectively are worthy of double honor, especially those who work hard at preaching and teaching.
Ephesians 2:20 built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus Himself as the cornerstone.
Ephesians 3:5 which was not made known to men in other generations as it has now been revealed by the Spirit to God’s holy apostles and prophets.
Hebrews 13:24 Greet all your leaders and all the saints. Those from Italy send you greetings.
Hebrews 13:17 Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they watch over your souls as those who must give an account. To this end, allow them to lead with joy and not with grief, for that would be of no advantage to you.
Numbers 11:17 And I will come down and speak with you there, and I will take some of the Spirit that is on you and put that Spirit on them. They will help you bear the burden of the people, so that you do not have to bear it by yourself.