by Timothy W. Burnett
Every member of the body of Christ has the spiritual capacity to be an apostle, prophet, teacher or to do miracles, etc. At the same time each one will be stronger, or called in certain areas. It in no way means certain people will not be allowed to or capable of doing any of them according to their personal desire to serve.
This is a matter of distinguishing between "capacity" and "ability." The mere existence of hoy spirit in each member gives each one the capacity to serve in all areas. The fact that each member is more experienced and stronger in certain areas identifies the ability.
Verses 29-30 include a question mark after each thing listed above. Punctuation marks were added by the King James writers and did not exist in the earlier Greek texts. The question marks were probably accurate when related to each member's spiritual strong suites. But they were not meant to question whether each member has the spiritual capacity.
Similar anguage is used in verse 18, "...God set the members every one of them in the body, as it has pleased him." With this in mind, we cans ee that verses 29-30 refer to each member being stronger in certain areas. Once again, it is still true that every member has the spiritual capacity to do all of them.
What about speaking in tongues? We see in 1Corinthians 14:5 it says, "I woud that you all spoke with tongues..." There is no conflict. Chapter 14 distinguishes between speaking in tongues in personal prayer lives, with speaking in tongues with interpretation which is done during believer assemblies (church fellowship times). God wants all the members to speak in tongues in their personal prayer lives. At the same time, some will excel in speaking in tongues with interpretation for the edification of the church.
Paul said in 1Corinthians 14:18, "I thank my God I speak with tongues more than y'all." He had a reason for giving this challenge. Speaking in tongues with the interpretation is one of those areas that some believers may be stronger at than others. At the same time speaking in tongues can and should be done often in the believers' personal prayer lives.
"Covet earnestly the best gifts. And I show you a more excellent way." It's saying to embrace earnestly the spiritual areas that we excel in, and yet we're about to learn a more excellent way. What is that way? Perfect love from God.
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