29 “Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Are all workers of miracles? 30Do all have gifts of healings? Do all speak with tongues? Do all interpret?”
We come to the third list of gifts in this chapter (vv. 29-30). All the questions in verses 29 and 30 expect a negative answer. Note the word “all” occurs in each question. Clearly, God does not expect everyone to have all these gifts.
12:29
Are all apostles?
This question in Greek expects a negative answer, “Are all apostles? No.”
Are all prophets?
No, all are not prophets.
Are all teachers?
Neither are all teachers.
Are all workers of miracles?
All do not work miracles.
12:30
Do all have gifts of healings?
Not all can do “gifts of healings.”
Do all speak with tongues?
Only a few have the ability to speak foreign languages without studying for them.
Do all interpret?
All cannot translate languages without studying for them.
PRINCIPLE:
God does not hold us accountable for gifts we do not have.
APPLICATION:
God does not rubber stamp gifts for the local church, for He loves variety. No one person can do all ministries in a local church. We need different strokes for different folks. We need each other. None of us has a gift that is sufficient unto itself. God does not hold us accountable for gifts we do not have.
Your commentarys has been a blessing in my studies!! Thanks!
I came from a pentecostal church where everyone spoke in tongues. They taught it was a gift for everyone but when read this scripture it contridicts…not everyone will speak in tounges right? If so, why do some churches teach other wise? And why isnt it done in order? For example: the whole church would be going off in tongues and theres no interpretation…they called it corporate prayer so they said it was okay to do so. Is this correct? I just cant find it in scripture.
Thanks!
Andrea, read my studies from 1 Cor. 12:4 to end of chapter. Then read versebyversecommentary.com at 1 Cor 14:21-22.
Andrea sigue en tu busqueda, estos dones milagrosos sirvieron para confirmer la palabra Heb 2: 3-2. Todo esto ya no se nesecitaria cuando llegara el conocimiento complete 1Corint 13: 8-13. Las Iglesias de Cristo conservan el evangelio puro. Rom 16;16 busca una cerca de ti. Mateo7:21-23.
Sorry Art, I do not speak your language.
Andrea, Art is correct except for the fact that one church is the true church. Anytime someone claims this then I would be careful of them.
This interpretation is so wrong
In bible study, its so wrong for us to build up a doctrine from one chapter and verse of the scriptures without doing a good study of other verses that said the same thing
For example the subject of tongues is not only been taught in 1st Corinthians 12:29-30
For us to understand this subject lets see some of other surrounding verses that talks about tongues
MARK 16:17
In my name they shall cast out devil they shall speak with new tongues
Notice the word THEY
Now who are the THEY?
everyone that believed the gospel
Because Jesus did not say among them that believed some of them will speak in new tongues
He said they will speak in new tongues
All will speak
ACTS 2:4
And they were all filled with the holy ghost and began to speak with other tongues, as the spirit gave them utterance
Notice again
They were all filled with the Holy ghost and began to speak
Not some among them were filled with the holy ghost
NO It was accounted that all spoke
ACTS 10:44
While peter yet spake these words,theses words, the Holy ghost fell on all them which heard the Word (46) for they heard them speak in tongues and magnify God. …
Notice again in verse 44 all not some
And so remaining verses that talks about tongues
They all use the word ALL
Austine, I have studied those passages and in the Greek as well! I suggest that you go to this study for one answer to your issue: http://versebyversecommentary.com/1-corinthians/1-corinthians-1422/
Superficial study of isolated verses like you did is no way to interpret Scripture.
Austine, another very important exegetical point: whenever you have the Greek word μη (“no”) in a question, it always expects a negative answer. That is why I translated “no” in the verses above.
I am born again and have been baptized in the Holy Spirit. I do believe that the Gifts are for today and am grieved when they are suppressed.
My question is and has been for sometime the teaching of the 5 fold ministries, I tend to believe that the teaching has been taken to the extreme and out of context. Based on the first 3 chapters of “Revelation” we are told Jesus hates the Nicolaitains, I did a word search on the word and found that it means “hierarchy”. I tend to believe that if you adhere to this teaching you are actually placing human layers between you and the Holy Spirit. This issue can be contentious among spirit filled people. Can you offer an opinion?
Don, I am not sure which word means “hieararchy” in your post, in 1 Co or Revelation?