Charles Ellicott Commentary 1 Corinthians 12:27

"Now ye are the body of Christ, and severally members thereof." — 1 Corinthians 12:27 (ASV)

Now. We have here in general terms the application of the preceding illustration, the detailed application of which follows in 1 Corinthians 12:28.

The Apostles were those selected by our Lord Himself, or afterwards elected by the apostles to join that body. (On prophets and teachers, see 1 Corinthians 12:10.) The teachers were probably a junior order of instructors. (Ephesians 4:11.)

The enumeration of the gifts here corresponds with that previously given in 1 Corinthians 12:9–10, except for the mention here of “helps” and “governments,” and the omission of “interpretation of tongues” and “discernment of spirit.”

Possibly, therefore, the words inserted here are only another designation for the omitted gifts: “helps” referring to the aid required for those who heard tongues to understand them, and “governments” referring to the proper regulation of accepting certain spiritual powers and rejecting others.