Read & explore together
The Greater Gifts
These verses describe Christ’s people as one body with individual members. They list roles and gifts God has set in the assembly, ask whether everyone has the same part, and call readers to desire the best gifts.
Understanding the passage
The setting of these words
The passage says, “you are the body of Christ, and members individually”. It then names several roles and gifts that God has set in the assembly. After that, a string of questions shows that not everyone has the same role or gift. The passage closes by urging readers to desire the best gifts and pointing to a most excellent way.
1 Corinthians 12:27–31Main takeaway
This passage teaches that the body of Christ includes different members and gifts, and these differences should be valued under God’s ordering.
Follow the letter’s teaching
Open a card to explore the full explanation and its Bible references.
01The body of Christ and individual membersThe passage begins with identity: “you are the body of Christ, and members individually”. That means the whole group belongs together, yet each member is still recognised individually.
Explanation
The passage begins with identity: “you are the body of Christ, and members individually”. That means the whole group belongs together, yet each member is still recognised individually. The wording holds unity and distinction together. These verses do not picture a crowd of identical people, but one body made up of distinct members.
02God sets roles and gifts in the assemblyVerse 28 says God has set some in the assembly. The list begins with apostles, prophets, and teachers, then names miracle workers, gifts of healings, helps, governments, and various kinds of languages.
Explanation
Verse 28 says God has set some in the assembly. The list begins with apostles, prophets, and teachers, then names miracle workers, gifts of healings, helps, governments, and various kinds of languages. The verse stresses variety and God’s action. These roles and gifts are presented as part of how the assembly is ordered.
03The repeated questions show differenceThe next verses ask, “Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers?”
Explanation
The next verses ask, “Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers?” and continue with miracle workers, gifts of healings, languages, and interpretation. The questions themselves show the point. Not every member has the same role or gift. The body of Christ includes difference rather than one single task repeated by everyone.
04Desire the best giftsThe passage ends with a command: “earnestly desire the best gifts”. So these verses do not treat gifts as unimportant.
Explanation
The passage ends with a command: “earnestly desire the best gifts”. So these verses do not treat gifts as unimportant. They should be desired rightly. Then the words “I show a most excellent way to you” point forward. This verse values gifts while also signalling that something greater is about to be explained.
Questions to explore
Pause, look back at the verses and talk together.
01What does the phrase “body of Christ, and members individually” teach about belonging together and being distinct?
Notice that the verse speaks about one body and also about individual members in the same sentence.
02What kinds of roles and gifts are listed as being set in the assembly?
Read the whole list carefully and group the items you notice, such as people, actions, and abilities.
03How do the repeated questions in verses 29 and 30 help explain the list in verse 28?
Think about the answer expected by each question and what that shows about whether everyone has the same role.
Read the Bible passage
World English Bible ClassicScripture quotation · Public domain
1 Corinthians 12:27–31
27Now you are the body of Christ, and members individually.
28God has set some in the assembly: first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracle workers, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, and various kinds of languages.
29Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Are all miracle workers?
30Do all have gifts of healings? Do all speak with various languages? Do all interpret?
31But earnestly desire the best gifts. Moreover, I show a most excellent way to you.