1 Corinthians 12:5 Commentary and Bible Study

The word ‘administrations’ we may easily translate as ‘ministries’. It is the deacon word, derived from the same word translated ‘deacon’. There are different ministries. Well obviously a prophet is different from an apostle, but the same Lord is Lord of both of them. There will be a common thread, an agreement in the teaching. One teacher will be consistent with another teacher. But there are different services – not services of worship – but ministries, ways of serving the Lord. These are not only special endowments – to be an apostle, to be a prophet, to be a tongue-speaking – but they are also services. The people who are given these gifts are supposed to be humble, serving the Lord. They are not given for their own distinction in any way.