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Scott's Reference Library
1 Corinthians 12:27 through 1
Corinthians 12:31 (NIV)
27Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it. 28And
in the church God has appointed first of all apostles, second prophets, third
teachers, then workers of miracles, also those having gifts of healing, those
able to help others, those with gifts of administration, and those speaking in
different kinds of tongues. 29Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all
teachers? Do all work miracles? 30Do all have gifts of healing? Do all speak in
tongues? Do all interpret? 31But eagerly desire the greater gifts.
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary on the Whole Bible
VERSES 27-31
Contempt, hatred, envy, and strife, are very unnatural in Christians. It is like
the members of the same body being without concern for one another, or
quarrelling with each other. The proud, contentious spirit that prevailed, as to
spiritual gifts, was thus condemned. The offices and gifts, or favours,
dispensed by the Holy Spirit, are noticed. Chief ministers; persons enabled to
interpret Scripture; those who laboured in word and doctrine; those who had
power to heal diseases; such as helped the sick and weak; such as disposed of
the money given in charity by the church, and managed the affairs of the church;
and such as could speak divers languages. What holds the last and lowest rank in
this list, is the power to speak languages; how vain, if a man does so merely to
amuse or to exalt himself! See the distribution of these gifts, not to every one
alike, vs. 29, 30. This were to make the church all one, as if the body were all
ear, or all eye. The Spirit distributes to every one as he will. We must be
content though we are lower and less than others. We must not despise others, if
we have greater gifts. How blessed the Christian church, if all the members did
their duty! Instead of coveting the highest stations, or the most splendid
gifts, let us leave the appointment of his instruments to God, and those in whom
he works by his providence. Remember, those will not be approved hereafter who
seek the chief places, but those who are most faithful to the trust placed in
them, and most diligent in their Master’s work.