1 Corinthians 12:29

Are all apostles? The form of the question in Greek shows that a negative answer is expected. Verses 29, 30 show that God does not bestow any single gift to every believer. They are apportioned according to the need of the particular situation confronting the church at any place and time. It is also to be borne in mind that the gifts are not for the glorification and exaltation of man, but for the accomplishment of the plans and purposes of God, who imparts these powers to His people as He pleases, and not according to man’s ideas and opinions (see vs. 4, 5, 11). Not all believers at Corinth were qualified by the Holy Spirit to perform the duties of any one particular office in the church, such as that of teacher or prophet, but distribution of gifts was made by the Holy Spirit to such individuals as He chose to use for certain specific purposes. This should remove from the recipients of the gifts all pride and all ideas of superiority over their less favored brethren.