The Meaning of 1 Corinthians 12:29 Explained

1 Corinthians 12:29

KJV: Are all apostles? are all prophets? are all teachers? are all workers of miracles?

YLT: are all apostles? are all prophets? are all teachers? are all powers?

Darby: Are all apostles? are all prophets? are all teachers? are all in possession of miraculous powers?

ASV: Are all apostles? are all prophets? are all teachers? are all workers of miracles?

KJV Reverse Interlinear

[Are] all  apostles?  [are] all  prophets?  [are] all  teachers?  [are] all  workers of miracles? 

What does 1 Corinthians 12:29 Mean?

Context Summary

1 Corinthians 12:20-31 - Each Contributing His Part
The hand and the foot obviously stand in need of each other; but the same interdependence marks the feebler and humbler parts of our frame. Indeed, it would appear as if we bestow more abundant honor on them by covering them with clothes or ornaments. In this way the least important parts of our nature are leveled up and compensated.
The Apostle's aim throughout this passage is to enforce the interdependence of believers. One gives to others that in which they are deficient, and he derives help from each of them in turn. The Christian Church is not an inert mass of mere learners and subjects who are to be authoritatively taught and ruled by a small fraction of its members. It is a great co-operative society, in which each is for all and all for each, and the object is to bring Christ into every department of our being and our fellowship, as the life-blood nourishes the body of man. A new word has lately come into use, to express the interdependence and mutual interests of men and nations; and nothing could more aptly describe the Apostle's ideal than that word solidarity. [source]

Chapter Summary: 1 Corinthians 12

1  Spiritual gifts,
4  are diverse,
7  yet to profit all
8  And to that end are diversely bestowed;
12  as the members of a natural body tend all to the mutual decency,
22  service,
26  and helpfulness of the same body;
27  so we should do for one another, to make up the body of Christ

Greek Commentary for 1 Corinthians 12:29

Are all [μη παντες]
The μη — mē expects a negative answer with each group. [source]

Reverse Greek Commentary Search for 1 Corinthians 12:29

1 Peter 4:10 Gift [χαρισμα]
Late N.T. word (in late papyri) from χαριζομαι — charizomai to give graciously. It is used here by Peter as one of the gifts of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 12:4, 1 Corinthians 12:9, 1 Corinthians 12:29-31; Romans 12:6). [source]

What do the individual words in 1 Corinthians 12:29 mean?

Not [are] all apostles Not prophets teachers Not [have] miracles
μὴ πάντες ἀπόστολοι μὴ προφῆται διδάσκαλοι μὴ δυνάμεις

μὴ  Not  [are] 
Parse: Adverb
Root: μή 
Sense: no, not lest.
ἀπόστολοι  apostles 
Parse: Noun, Nominative Masculine Plural
Root: ἀπόστολος  
Sense: a delegate, messenger, one sent forth with orders.
προφῆται  prophets 
Parse: Noun, Nominative Masculine Plural
Root: προφήτης  
Sense: in Greek writings, an interpreter of oracles or of other hidden things.
διδάσκαλοι  teachers 
Parse: Noun, Nominative Masculine Plural
Root: διδάσκαλος  
Sense: a teacher. 2 in the NT one who teaches concerning the things of God, and the duties of man.
μὴ  Not  [have] 
Parse: Adverb
Root: μή 
Sense: no, not lest.
δυνάμεις  miracles 
Parse: Noun, Nominative Feminine Plural
Root: δύναμις  
Sense: strength power, ability.

What are the major concepts related to 1 Corinthians 12:29?

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