1 Corinthians 12:27-31·~1 min

The Greater Gifts

Paul tells the Corinthians that they are Christ's body and individually members of it, then lists different callings and gifts God has appointed in the church, from apostles and prophets to helps, administration, and tongues. By a string of rhetorical questions he makes clear that not everyone fills the same role, yet he still urges them to desire the greater gifts.

N²⁷ow you are the body of Christ, and each of you is a member of it. ²⁸And 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. 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.

Section summaryPaul applies the body image directly to the Corinthians by naming them as Christ's body and listing different appointments within the church. Not everyone has the same role or manifestation, and the repeated questions make that plain, yet the chapter does not end in passivity: they are still to desire the greater gifts.

Role in the chapterThis brief closing section gathers the chapter's teaching into direct address. It leaves the Corinthians with both humility about diversity and desire for what most serves the church.