1 Corinthians 12:28

And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondly prophets, thirdly teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, divers kinds of tongues.

'And God hath set some in the church' -God is responsible for the diversity of gifts and areas of service in the church. (1 Corinthians 12:11)

Again the point is being made that "diversity" of gifts, areas of service and function are essential for the health of the body of Christ.

'first' -the question has been, are we to assume that this list places these various gifts and functions in an order of descending importance? Many are under the impression that the first three are listed in an order of importance. But the rest of the list isn't, seeing that some of the gifts are in. reverse order from the list given previously in this chapter. Compare 1 Corinthians 12:28, 1 Corinthians 12:28 "miracles, then gifts of healings", with 1 Corinthians 12:9-10.

'apostles..prophets..teachers' -in. similar list, Paul will add 'evangelists and pastors.' (Ephesians 4:11)

'teachers' -inspired or uninspired. (2 Timothy 2:2)

'helps' -484. antilepsis an-til'-ape-sis; from 482; relief: -help. 'those who help others' (Tay) 'May have been those who were specially deputed to attend to the poor, weak or sick members.' (F.F. Bruce p. 123) (Romans 12:8 'he who shows mercy.') 'Since we have here. list of specific offices; what it means is 'help'..Inasmuch as the office of deacon was mainly aimed at the job of service, this could be. reference to the deacons.' (Willis p. 441)

'governments' -2941. kubernesis koo-ber'-nay-sis; from kubernao (of Latin origin, to steer); pilotage, i.e. (figuratively) directorship (in the church): -government.

-'a helmsman who steers. vessel, and thus this gift consists in managing and directing others' (Lenski p. 540) 'So. governing' (Robertson p. 174) This probably refers to the elders. (Acts 20:28)

'divers kinds of tongues' -again, tongues ends up at the bottom of the list. (1 Corinthians 12:10)

'The very order of recounting these gifts may have been. rebuke to the Corinthians for disrespect to the apostle and for their almost childish delight in the spectacular gift of tongues.' (Erdman p. 129)