Albert Barnes Commentary 1 Corinthians 12:29

"Are all apostles? are all prophets? are all teachers? are all [workers of] miracles?" — 1 Corinthians 12:29 (ASV)

Are all apostles? etc. These questions imply, with strong emphasis, that it could not be, and ought not to be, that there should be perfect equality of endowment. It was not a matter of fact that all were equal, or that all were qualified for the offices which others held.

Whether the arrangement was approved of or not, it was a simple matter of fact that some were qualified to perform offices which others were not; that some were endowed with the abilities necessary for the apostolic office, and others not; that some were endowed with prophetic gifts, and others not; that some had the gift of healing, or the talent of speaking different languages, or of interpreting, and that others had not.