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

Paul also mentions three of the spiritual gifts listed earlier in this chapter (vv. 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 v. 30).

Paul also mentions two gifts from the list of seven which he gave in Romans 12:6-8 excluding the other five (see notes 1-9 at Rom. 12:4-8, pp. 827-828).

Therefore, it can be concluded that Paul is randomly selecting certain gifts to illustrate his point of diversity in the body of Christ. Likewise, Paul's list of nine gifts here in 1 Corinthians 12 is not a complete list of all the gifts that the Spirit gives (see note 1 at 1 Cor. 12:12, p. 932).

Note 16 at 1 Cor. 12:28: These gifts are for the church. As explained in Ephesians 4:12, these gifts help equip the saints, and then the saints 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 were 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 they are better able to share their faith. Then, each member of Christ's body becomes a witness and people are saved. Shepherds don't bear sheep. Sheep bear sheep.

Note 17 at 1 Cor. 12:28: The use of the word "first" implies that Paul is establishing an order of authority among these gifts. Apostles have the greatest authority, then prophets, 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 our physical body (see notes 1-4 at 1 Cor. 12:12-15, pp. 932-933). 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). We don't "lord it over" our brothers and sisters, but we lead by example (1 Pet. 5:2-3).

As a whole, the body of Christ is not functioning under the "chain of command" that Paul is 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 out the baby with the bath water." It is scriptural to have a church government system that involves 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 the politics of men.

Note 18 at 1 Cor. 12:28: The Greek word that was used for "apostles" here meant "one sent forth" (see note 2 at Lk. 6:13, p. 166). There were more than just the twelve apostles that Jesus chose during his earthly ministry (see note 1 at Mk. 3:14, p. 163).

Two of the dominant characteristics of a true apostle are: (1) they have the miraculous gifts of the Spirit operative in their ministry (2 Cor. 12:12); (2) 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--ex. 1 Cor. 9:2).

Because apostles are at the top of the "chain of command" in church government (see note 5 at this verse), they tend to speak with authority and boldness (1 Cor. 4:20). Some believe that an apostle possesses all the ministry gifts listed in Ephesians 4:11. This may be so, but this reasoning can not be firmly established by scripture.

Note 19 at 1 Cor. 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 fiery 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 Acts 11:27, p. 639; note 2 at Lk. 7:26, p. 178; note 3 at Rom. 12:6, p. 827).

Note 20 at 1 Cor. 12:28: The ministry gift of the teacher is a foundational part of the body of Christ (see note 14 at v. 27, p. 934). Jesus was referred to as teaching twice as much as He was preaching (see note 3 at Mt. 5:2, p. 126). Anointed teaching is essential to Christ's commission to make disciples (see note 5 at Mt. 28:19, p. 563).

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

Note 21 at 1 Cor. 12:28: A good illustration of the ministry of helps is found in Acts 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 re-enforcing 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 things 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.