1 Corinthians 12:28-29 NIV

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 1 Corinthians 12:27-31

I. Here the apostle sums up the argument, and applies this similitude to the church of Christ, concerning which observe, 1. The relation wherein Christians stand to Christ and one another. The church, or whole collective body of Christians, in all ages, is his body. Every Christian is a member of his body, and every other Christian stands related to him as a fellow-member (12:27): Now you are the body of Christ, and members in particular, or particular members. Each is a member of the body,... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - 1 Corinthians 12:12-31

12:12-31 Just as the body is one, although it has many members, and just as all the members of the body, though they are many, are one body, so also is Christ. For by the one Spirit we have all been baptized in such a way as to become one body, whether we be Jews or Greeks, whether we be slaves or free men; and we have all been watered by the one Spirit. For the body does not consist of one member but of many. If the foot were to say, "Because I am not the hand I am not of the body," it is... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Corinthians 12:28

And God hath set some in the church ,.... As before the apostle gives an account of the various different gifts of the Spirit, qualifying men for service in the church of Christ, here he enumerates the several offices and officers: first apostles ; as were the twelve disciples, and Paul the apostle; men that were immediately sent by Christ himself, and had their commission and doctrine directly from him; and a power of working miracles, to confirm the truth of their mission and ministry;... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Corinthians 12:29

Are all apostles ?.... No some are prophets, as distinct from apostles; and some are teachers, as distinct from them both, and some are neither: are all prophets ? no; some are apostles, above them, and some are teachers, inferior to them; and but very few there were who had that peculiar character and gift: are all teachers ? no; the far greater part of the members of churches are hearers, or persons that are taught in the word; are neither in the office of teaching, nor have they... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Corinthians 12:28

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... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Corinthians 12:29

Are all apostles, etc. - That is: All are not apostles, all are not prophets, etc.; God has distributed his various gifts among various persons, each of whom is necessary for the complete edification of the body of Christ. On these subjects see the notes on 1 Corinthians 12:7-10 ; (note). read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Corinthians 12:28

Verse 28 He has in the beginning of the chapter spoken of gifts: now he begins to treat of offices, and this order it is proper that we should carefully observe. For the Lord did not appoint ministers, without first endowing them with the requisite gifts, and qualifying them for discharging their duty. Hence we must infer, that those are fanatics, and actuated by an evil spirit, who intrude themselves into the Church, while destitute of the necessary qualifications, as many boast that they are... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Corinthians 12:29

Verse 29 29.Are all Apostles ? It may indeed have happened, that one individual was endowed with many gifts, and sustained two of the offices which he has enumerated; nor was there in this any inconsistency. Paul’s object, however, is to show in the first place, that no one has such a fullness in everything as to have a sufficiency within himself, and not require the aid of others; and secondly, that offices as well as gifts are distributed in such a manner that no one member constitutes the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Corinthians 12:1-31

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Corinthians 12:1-31

The Christly assembly. "Now concerning spiritual gifts," etc. All throughout this chapter refers to the Christly assembly. I use this word in preference to the word "Church," for what are now called Churches are not always assemblages of genuine Christians. Overlooking the more minute parts of this remarkable chapter, and taking a broad glance at the whole, there are three important subjects very suggestive and capable of amplification, which are discoverable. These are that every member... read more

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 1 Corinthians 12:27-31

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - 1 Corinthians 12:12-31

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Corinthians 12:28

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Corinthians 12:29

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Corinthians 12:28

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Corinthians 12:29

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Corinthians 12:28

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Corinthians 12:29

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Corinthians 12:1-31

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Corinthians 12:1-31

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