Note 15 at 1Co 12:28: In this verse, Paul mentioned three of the five gifts listed in Eph 4:11; i.e., the apostle, the prophet, and the teacher. The evangelist and the pastor are missing. Some suppose that the mention of the teacher is actually a reference to the pastor, since they are listed together in Eph 4:11.

Paul also mentioned three of the spiritual gifts listed earlier in this chapter (1Co 12:9-10); i.e., the working of miracles, the gifts of healing, and the gift of tongues. Six of the gifts listed earlier in this chapter are missing (the interpretation of tongues is referred to in 1Co 12:30).

Paul also mentioned two gifts from the list of seven that he gave in Ro 12:6-8, excluding the other five (see note 1 at Ro 12:4, notes 2 and 3 at Ro 12:6, notes 4 and 5 at Ro 12:7, and notes 6-9 at Ro 12:8).

Therefore, it can be concluded that Paul was randomly selecting certain gifts to illustrate his point of diversity in the body of Christ. Likewise, Paul's list of nine gifts here in 1Co 12 is not a complete list of all the gifts that the Spirit gives (see note 1 at 1Co 12:12).

Note 16 at 1Co 12:28: These gifts are for the church. As explained in Eph 4:12, these gifts help equip the saints. The saints then go out and do the work of the ministry. It has been a big error in the thinking of the body of Christ that ministers are supposed to reach the lost. That's the job of every member of the body of Christ. The ministers reach out to the believers so that they are better able to share their faith. Then, all the members of Christ's body become witnesses, and people are saved. Shepherds don't bear sheep; sheep bear sheep.

Note 17 at 1Co 12:28: The use of the word "first" implies that Paul was establishing an order of authority among these gifts. Apostles have the greatest authority, then prophets, and then teachers.

However, it must be remembered that the Apostle Paul had just gone into detail about how the different gifts in the body of Christ are like different parts of the physical body (see note 1 at 1Co 12:12, note 2 at 1Co 12:13, note 3 at 1Co 12:14, and note 4 at 1Co 12:15). They have different functions, with some being more important than others, but there are no insignificant parts.

Therefore, this authority is not to be exercised as an unbeliever would exercise authority (Mt 20:25). People shouldn't "lord it over" their brothers and sisters, but they should lead by example (1Pe 5:2-3).

As a whole, the body of Christ is not functioning under the "chain of command" that Paul was presenting here. Many church groups are completely autonomous and proud of it. This is probably an overreaction to the lifeless hierarchy that has been so ineffective and damaging in many of the more liturgical churches. However, as the old proverb goes, "don't throw the baby out with the bath water." It is scriptural to have a church government system, involving these ministry gifts, overseeing the local church.

The solution lies in finding true apostles, prophets, and teachers who are responsive to God alone and not to the politics of man.

Note 18 at 1Co 12:28: The Greek word that was used for "apostles" here refers to one who is sent forth (see note 2 at Lu 6:13). There were more than just the twelve apostles that Jesus chose during His earthly ministry (see note 1 at Mr 3:14).

Two of the dominant characteristics of true apostles are that they have the miraculous gifts of the Spirit operating in their ministry (2Co 12:12) and that they do the work of what many today call a missionary; i.e., they evangelize and plant churches (the example of Paul and other apostles, 1Co 9:2).

Because apostles are at the top of the "chain of command" in church government (see note 17 at this verse), they tend to speak with authority and boldness (1Co 4:20). Some believe that an apostle possesses all the ministry gifts listed in Eph 4:11. This may be so, but this reasoning cannot be firmly established by Scripture.

Note 19 at 1Co 12:28: Volumes have been written about exactly what a true prophet of God is. The opinions vary from every preacher being a prophet to ardent individuals who call fire down from heaven and rebuke kings. These individuals do still exist today and serve an important role in the ministry of the church (Eph 2:20, see note 1 at Ac 11:27, note 2 at Lu 7:26, and note 3 at Ro 12:6).

Note 20 at 1Co 12:28: The ministry gift of the teacher is a foundational part of the body of Christ (see note 14 at 1Co 12:27). Jesus was referred to as teaching twice as much as He was preaching (see note 3 at Mt 5:2). Anointed teaching is essential to Christ's commission to make disciples (see note 5 at Mt 28:19).

The Apostle Paul also had this ministry gift of the teacher (Ac 18:11, 25, 28:31; Col 1:28; 1Ti 2:7; and 2Ti 1:11). A bishop has to have a tendency to teach (1Ti 3:2).

Note 21 at 1Co 12:28: A good illustration of the ministry of helps is found in Ac 27:17. When the ship Paul was riding in looked like it would be dashed to pieces, the sailors used ropes or metal cables, called helps, to undergird the ship, thereby reinforcing it and making it stronger.

In a similar way, the ministry of helps does a great variety of things to take the pressure off of other ministry gifts and facilitate the body of Christ in general. Things such as janitorial duties, ushering, cooking, clerical work, manual labor, and many other services would fit into this category. Some members of the church are called to this ministry and are given a special grace to work in this area. This is their gift.